Jacob Greenwood, Alex Avila, Larry Howell, Spencer Magleby
J. Mech. Des. Sep 2020, 142(9): 093302
Paper No: MD-19-1566

​Origami can provide unique inspiration when designing engineered systems because it promotes multiple configurations, compact storage, and quick deployablility. However, origami-based products can be challenging to design because they often are mechanically unstable – folding when not desired or when under load. While there are some existing techniques for achieving stability in origami-based designs, determining which combination of techniques will achieve the desired results for a given application can be difficult. For example, how can you design an origami-based ballistic barrier to stay upright when you need it for protection, but also stay collapsed for storage?

The motivation of this research was twofold: to (1) develop a method for designing origami-based devices with multiple stable fold states, and (2) help engineers identify which stability techniques would be best for their application. This paper presents the Origami Stability Integration Method (the OSIM), an 8-step design method to help engineers achieve single or multiple stable positions in origami-based products. The OSIM helps the designer visualize how the different existing loads affect the movement of the origami-based device. Existing stability techniques are categorized to help the designer select appropriate techniques for their specific application, and a number of origami-based design considerations and resources related to stability are also included. The categorization is partially derived from a study of 69 origami-based products that were evaluated to determine which techniques are being used in products and how often they are used. Case studies of an origami-based anti-buckling guide for a medical catheter and an origami-based ballistic barrier are presented.