Constructing ThreeDimensional Honeycomb Structures Based on Origami Geometry

Abstract

Origami has shown the potential to design unique mechanical properties and complex threedimensional shapes by folding through designed crease patterns on flat materials. The authors investigated a new honeycombbased origami metamaterial called “kirigami honeycomb.” Resembling origami, kirigami honeycomb allows a single flat sheet of material with periodic slits to be folded into a honeycomb shape. Previous studies have reported successful use of this method to create various honeycomb shapes, changing only the folding line diagrams (FLDs). These previous studies have, however, considered only onedirectional crosssectional modifications; the core thickness and curvature changed only in the Wdirection. This study proposes a new method that will support complex 3D honeycomb designs made from single flat sheets. A newly defined crease pattern conversion method provides arbitrary scaling of the honeycomb shape in the Ldirection. The combined FLD and pattern conversion design methods encourage the costeffective manufacture of 3D shaped honeycombs from single flat paper sheets. The proposed method is implemented to the design software, enabling to design arbitrary crosssectional honeycomb cores with optional Ldirectional scaling.