Programming developable surfaces using multilayer inflatables

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We present a novel type of inflatable structure, made of three stacked membranes forming inflatable bilayers, consisting of staggered cylindrical or conical tubes. Our structures are fabricated flat using a quasi-inextensible material and bend out-of-plane when the two networks of tubular chambers are inflated to the same pressure. We program the local curvature of the structure by locally adjusting the width of the welding lines used to seal each pair of membranes.We leverage this new architected inflatable structure in an inverse design algorithm that allows us to generate inflatable ribbons of a desired target shape. Our method takes as input a developable surface, represented as a 2D polyline or a 3D quad strip, and outputs the layouts of the three membranes to be welded together. Various prototypes made of thermosealable Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU) or TPU-coated nylon are fabricated to demonstrate the capabilities of our simulation approach. Inflatable bilayers present as a promising platform for shape-morphing and soft robotics applications.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings
Subtitle of host publicationSCF 2025 - 10th ACM Symposium on Computational Fabrication
EditorsMariana Popescu, Ben Jones, Josephine Carstensen, Etienne Vouga, Mina Konakovic Lukovic, Stephen N. Spencer
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery, Inc
ISBN (Electronic)9798400720345
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Nov 2025
Externally publishedYes
Event10th ACM Symposium on Computational Fabrication, SCF 2025 - Cambridge, United States
Duration: 20 Nov 202521 Nov 2025

Publication series

NameProceedings: SCF 2025 - 10th ACM Symposium on Computational Fabrication

Conference

Conference10th ACM Symposium on Computational Fabrication, SCF 2025
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCambridge
Period20/11/2521/11/25

Keywords

  • bilayers
  • computational design
  • computational fabrication
  • developable sheets
  • Inflatables

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