FlexMaps: computational design of flat flexible shells for shaping 3D objects

Malomo L., Pérez J., Iarussi E., Pietroni N., Miguel E., Cignoni P., Bickel B.

Shape abstraction  Computational fabrication  004 Data processing & computer science  Software Engineering  Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design 

We propose FlexMaps, a novel framework for fabricating smooth shapes out of flat, flexible panels with tailored mechanical properties. We start by mapping the 3D surface onto a 2D domain as in traditional UV mapping to design a set of deformable flat panels called FlexMaps. For these panels, we design and obtain specific mechanical properties such that, once they are assembled, the static equilibrium configuration matches the desired 3D shape. FlexMaps can be fabricated from an almost rigid material, such as wood or plastic, and are made flexible in a controlled way by using computationally designed spiraling microstructures.

Source: ACM transactions on graphics 37 (2018). doi:10.1145/3272127.3275076

Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery,, New York, N.Y. , Stati Uniti d'America

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