Gashrink
Gashrink
Gashrink
"Gashrink: Fluid-driven origami-inspired artificial muscles" The digital fabrication project got a 95/100 from Prof. Guanyun Wang in Information Product Design course.
"Gashrink: Fluid-driven origami-inspired artificial muscles" The digital fabrication project got a 95/100 from Prof. Guanyun Wang in Information Product Design course.
"Gashrink: Fluid-driven origami-inspired artificial muscles" The digital fabrication project got a 95/100 from Prof. Guanyun Wang in Information Product Design course.
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
The origami technique is conceived as a process in the field of art and design to explore the infinite possibilities of its constructed form. People use the force generated by folding to explore texture changes. For example, it is folded using mechanical external forces, or through the properties of the material itself. Loading the folded structure into a closed bag with gas, and driving the folded structure by negative pressure can provide a controlled folding system with lower cost and stronger driving force.
Our system requires three key components: a compressible solid skeletal structure, a flexible fluid-tight skin, and a fluid medium. We explored the folding shrinkage effects of different materials. We found that hard polyester has high hardness and is easy to fold, making it an ideal folding structural material. Firstly, we utilize laser cutting to cut the rigid polyester fabric into the desired folding structures. Then, we place them into TPU material of suitable size and shape, and finally seal them using heat pressing technique, completing the production of the controlled folding system.
We created various demo models of different origami structures to explore their deformation effects. Finally, we have created three potential products based around the features of Gas+Fold, each demonstrating the benefits of the technology in terms of light transmission regulation, compressed storage volume, and providing power.
#1 / The breathing light, by rhythmically contracting and stretching, the light transmission of the polyester produces a rhythmic change, regulating the intensity of the light while reflecting the sense of breathing.
#2 / The foldable cap, which reduces the volume of storage by contracting in advance of pumping, can be placed in a bag and unfolded easily for use by opening the air port.
#3 / The pneumatic palm, which allows different fingers to bend through negative pressure, can form different gestures and interact with people in an interesting way.
The origami technique is conceived as a process in the field of art and design to explore the infinite possibilities of its constructed form. People use the force generated by folding to explore texture changes. For example, it is folded using mechanical external forces, or through the properties of the material itself. Loading the folded structure into a closed bag with gas, and driving the folded structure by negative pressure can provide a controlled folding system with lower cost and stronger driving force.
Our system requires three key components: a compressible solid skeletal structure, a flexible fluid-tight skin, and a fluid medium. We explored the folding shrinkage effects of different materials. We found that hard polyester has high hardness and is easy to fold, making it an ideal folding structural material. Firstly, we utilize laser cutting to cut the rigid polyester fabric into the desired folding structures. Then, we place them into TPU material of suitable size and shape, and finally seal them using heat pressing technique, completing the production of the controlled folding system.
We created various demo models of different origami structures to explore their deformation effects. Finally, we have created three potential products based around the features of Gas+Fold, each demonstrating the benefits of the technology in terms of light transmission regulation, compressed storage volume, and providing power.
#1 / The breathing light, by rhythmically contracting and stretching, the light transmission of the polyester produces a rhythmic change, regulating the intensity of the light while reflecting the sense of breathing.
#2 / The foldable cap, which reduces the volume of storage by contracting in advance of pumping, can be placed in a bag and unfolded easily for use by opening the air port.
#3 / The pneumatic palm, which allows different fingers to bend through negative pressure, can form different gestures and interact with people in an interesting way.
The origami technique is conceived as a process in the field of art and design to explore the infinite possibilities of its constructed form. People use the force generated by folding to explore texture changes. For example, it is folded using mechanical external forces, or through the properties of the material itself. Loading the folded structure into a closed bag with gas, and driving the folded structure by negative pressure can provide a controlled folding system with lower cost and stronger driving force.
Our system requires three key components: a compressible solid skeletal structure, a flexible fluid-tight skin, and a fluid medium. We explored the folding shrinkage effects of different materials. We found that hard polyester has high hardness and is easy to fold, making it an ideal folding structural material. Firstly, we utilize laser cutting to cut the rigid polyester fabric into the desired folding structures. Then, we place them into TPU material of suitable size and shape, and finally seal them using heat pressing technique, completing the production of the controlled folding system.
We created various demo models of different origami structures to explore their deformation effects. Finally, we have created three potential products based around the features of Gas+Fold, each demonstrating the benefits of the technology in terms of light transmission regulation, compressed storage volume, and providing power.
#1 / The breathing light, by rhythmically contracting and stretching, the light transmission of the polyester produces a rhythmic change, regulating the intensity of the light while reflecting the sense of breathing.
#2 / The foldable cap, which reduces the volume of storage by contracting in advance of pumping, can be placed in a bag and unfolded easily for use by opening the air port.
#3 / The pneumatic palm, which allows different fingers to bend through negative pressure, can form different gestures and interact with people in an interesting way.
My Contributions: In charge of the video; Participated in ideation, digital fabrication, and application implementation.
My Contributions: In charge of the video; Participated in ideation, digital fabrication, and application implementation.
My Contributions: In charge of the video; Participated in ideation, digital fabrication, and application implementation.
Learning & reflection
Learning & reflection
Learning & reflection
Challenges and Opportunities for Practical Uses
Pumping and deflating device: We used a small pump to evacuate air from the device, allowing it to fold under negative pressure and achieve shape transformations similar to origami. However, in practical applications, the process of pumping and deflating needs to be more convenient and controllable. Otherwise, this technology can only be used for creating disposable applications. For example, the Breathing Light requires air pumping during each lighting cycle; the Foldable Cap needs air pumping every time it is folded; and the Pneumatic Palm requires air pumping for each finger bending motion.
Load-bearing capacity of structures: Although none of the current applications involve structural strength, the incredible strength of lightweight origami structures, as demonstrated in common paper bridge weight-bearing competitions, is a promising research direction.
Airtightness: We explored various laser cutting speeds and intensities to seal TPU materials quickly while achieving fast cutting. However, we must acknowledge that air pockets often occur and need to be manually closed. By adjusting the laser beam's thickness while considering the material being cut, modifying the intensity and speed may help address this issue.
Challenges and Opportunities for Practical Uses
Pumping and deflating device: We used a small pump to evacuate air from the device, allowing it to fold under negative pressure and achieve shape transformations similar to origami. However, in practical applications, the process of pumping and deflating needs to be more convenient and controllable. Otherwise, this technology can only be used for creating disposable applications. For example, the Breathing Light requires air pumping during each lighting cycle; the Foldable Cap needs air pumping every time it is folded; and the Pneumatic Palm requires air pumping for each finger bending motion.
Load-bearing capacity of structures: Although none of the current applications involve structural strength, the incredible strength of lightweight origami structures, as demonstrated in common paper bridge weight-bearing competitions, is a promising research direction.
Airtightness: We explored various laser cutting speeds and intensities to seal TPU materials quickly while achieving fast cutting. However, we must acknowledge that air pockets often occur and need to be manually closed. By adjusting the laser beam's thickness while considering the material being cut, modifying the intensity and speed may help address this issue.
Challenges and Opportunities for Practical Uses
Pumping and deflating device: We used a small pump to evacuate air from the device, allowing it to fold under negative pressure and achieve shape transformations similar to origami. However, in practical applications, the process of pumping and deflating needs to be more convenient and controllable. Otherwise, this technology can only be used for creating disposable applications. For example, the Breathing Light requires air pumping during each lighting cycle; the Foldable Cap needs air pumping every time it is folded; and the Pneumatic Palm requires air pumping for each finger bending motion.
Load-bearing capacity of structures: Although none of the current applications involve structural strength, the incredible strength of lightweight origami structures, as demonstrated in common paper bridge weight-bearing competitions, is a promising research direction.
Airtightness: We explored various laser cutting speeds and intensities to seal TPU materials quickly while achieving fast cutting. However, we must acknowledge that air pockets often occur and need to be manually closed. By adjusting the laser beam's thickness while considering the material being cut, modifying the intensity and speed may help address this issue.
Updated on 12/28/2023, made with ❤ by Jiayi Zhou