Discussion of “A Review of Thickness-Accommodation Techniques in Origami-Inspired Engineering” (Lang, R. J., Tolman, K. A., Crampton, E. B., Magleby, S. P., and Howell, L. L., 2018, ASME Appl. Mech. Rev., 70(1), p. 010805

Abstract

Origami is a traditional art form that realizes three-dimensional shapes by folding paper sheets. Origami designers use mathematical theorems to support their design efforts. These theorems require a condition of a flat fold on folded sheets. When working with paper, the paper is essentially zero thickness and folds flat. Thus, to access the power of flat-foldability theorems for origami-inspire design, nonzero thickness stiff sheet crease patterns must still be flat foldable. For nonzero thickness sheets as would be used in practical engineering applications, special fold designs are required to allow an effectively flat fold. In this issue of ASME Applied Mechanics Reviews, Lang and co-authors present a review of fold design techniques to enable effectively flat folding of nonzero thickness sheets. In this discussion, the impact of the author's work is highlighted. As well, the contributions of the authors work is situated in the context of origami-inspired systems design. The integration of their work into a systems construct clarifies and motivates the need for further origami-inspired design research.