SELF FOLDING WITH SHAPE MEMORY MATERIAL

AMAN KUMAR 20110007

By folding two-dimensional composites into three-dimensional structures, origami
can create intricate devices and structures. In order to accomplish low-cost
localised and individually addressable folding, this study provides a novel way for
self-folding hinges employing shape memory polymers (SMPs), paper, and
resistive circuits. The basic idea behind the torque introduced here is that it gets
stronger with increasing SMP thickness, resistive circuit width, and electrical
current supply. It has been shown that this method can create locking assemblies
with successive folds and complex shapes. It is the perfect starting point for a new
kind of printable manufacturing based on two-dimensional fabrication because of
its utility and affordability. By reducing the time and effort required to assemble
complex geometries, self-folding structures increase the value of this fabrication
method.

WHICH MATERIAL IS USED

1. We use polyolefin (PO) sheets(flat) that shrink uniaxially and polystyrene

(PS) sheets that shrink biaxially. Both materials contract by 50% when
heated above their transition temperature Tg=95 degrees Celsius.
2. When this contractile layer is bonded to a passive substrate, such as paper, it
forms a bimorph actuator; the bending of the composite is caused by the
contraction of the SMP layer.
3. This bending can be confined to a hinge by weakening the substrate along a
line, producing a fold.
4. By laser-cutting each layer individually, adhering them together, and
aligning them with pins, the composite can be assembled affordably.
5. On a separate layer of polyimide, resistive circuits at each hinge induce
localised SMP contraction via joule heating.
6. This layer is flexible and has minimal effect on the composite's mechanics.
7. By applying a current to the appropriate circuit, folds can be activated
simultaneously or sequentially.
8. Each layer is adhered with silicone adhesive tape.
 Fig -1 : A self-folding crane with origami influences. The original version of this construction was a
two-dimensional composite made of paper, pre-stretched polystyrene, and polyimide with a copper
circuit etched onto it. In three minutes, joule heating caused the material to fold itself.

Fig. 2 (A–D) The three different layers that make up the self-folding composite samples that are used in
the characterization studies are joined together with silicone tape.
(A) The bottom edge of the PO SMP layer contains notches that allow copper pads to be seen.
(B) 50 mm silicone tape is used to adhere each layer to the one before it.
(C) To promote heat dissipation, the copper trace is serpentine-shaped, 0.5 mm broad, and 18 mm thick.
On a polyimide sheet that is 12 mm thick, the trace is etched.
(D) The centre hinge is scored along the 510 mm (20 mil) paper substrate. (E and F) The SMP compresses
when it is activated, forcing the composite to budge at the hinge.

HOW TO DEMONSTRATE
 We have to be constructed three self-folding structures using PS as a biaxial
SMP layer to activate non-parallel folds in order to show the functionality
and adaptability of these composites.
 For the purpose of illustrating simultaneous folding into a polyhedron, we
created the self-folding pyramid shown in Figs. 6A and B.
 By connecting the resistive circuits in series, the four folds were activated all
at once. As shown in Fig. 6C-F, we also constructed a self-locking slot-and-
tab assembly. This mechanism locked by activating a hinge within the tab to
hold the slot in place after activating the folds to fit the slot into the tab. The
effectiveness and potential applications of sequential folding are
demonstrated by this process.
 To combine into a crane, a more intricate framework with 15 active and 4
passive hinges was created (Fig. 6G and H). In order to activate both
mountain and valley folds, this composite had two layers of paper and two
layers of PS sandwiching the circuit layer.
 The body folded at first when two amps of electricity were applied to all
hinges save the two farthest wing hinges. After folding, the remaining distal
hinges received two amps of power to lower the wings. Individual folds in
each structure were activated with two amps for one to two minutes,
resulting in a self-folding time for all samples of less than four minutes.
 These examples also showed the speed that printed manufacturing might
achieve with them. For instance, it took about an hour to manually assemble
the crane (Fig. 6G and H) using only a laser cutter, a solid ink printer, and a
ferric chloride etch tank.

HOW IT IS AVAILABLE
1. Polyolefin (PO) sheets(flat) can be available via INDIAMART by
giving quotation.
2. Polystyrene (PS) sheets can be available via INDIAMART
3. Copper hinges arranges from the hardware shop.
4. Silicon adhesive tape are available in INDIAMART