Learning Forum

[a.fontanella1]

 

Hi!

I have an origami plate in which I want to define revolute joints between the edges of the faces. Is there a way to do it automatically? I have already tried with 'Create automatic connection' but it did not work. If I do 'detect connections' on node merge it creates them, but it is not what I want. 'Generate Automatic Connection On Refresh' is already set on 'yes'.

[a.fontanella1]

 

[UPDATE]

I managed to create the contact regions by changing the ‘contact’ settings, specifically setting ‘edge/edge’ to ‘yes’. I can’t do the same with the joints. I did create named selections though. So if anyone has a script to build the joints from these, please, let me know.

 

 

[peteroznewman]

An alternative approach to creating joints at the edge folds would be to create two planes to slice through all the panels a short distance below the top and bottom edge folds to create edge fold bodies. In SpaceClaim, use Split Body then on the Workbench tab, use the Share button to have the edge fold bodies be connected to the center bodies using shared nodes. Once you do that, you will not need any bonded contacts or joints.

In Engineering Data, assign a lower stiffness material property and in Mechanical, assign a thinner element thickness to the edge fold bodies than the center panels.

When displacements are ramped on to move a set of edges to expand or contract the origami structure, the edge folds will bend preferentially to the panels.