A Modeling Framework for Magnetic Origami Devices using a Bar-and-Hinge Model

Using the principles of origami folding, shape-changing structures and devices can be constructed. To control the shape-change of these devices magnetic actuation can be used. This thesis presents a method for analyzing magnetically-actuated shape-changing origami devices. The modeling framework uses novel formulations to decompose a magnetic load to be compatible with a bar-and-hinge model. A bar-and-hinge model is used to determine the deformation of a magnetic origami structure in a uniform magnetic field. The model is validated with multiple two-panel origami test samples and a six-panel waterbomb pattern sample. For the two-panel samples, the final deformation obtained from the model was within 4% of the experimental results. For the waterbomb pattern the difference was 8.5%. Two examples of origami patterns with a larger number of panels and hinges have been simulated. One example is a ten-panel Miura ori pattern made with parallelogram and rectangular panels. The other is a Huffman waterbomb pattern with seventeen panels that combines square and triangular panels. The model still has limitations, it only works for triangular and parallelogram panel shapes and in a static uniform magnetic field. Even with the limitations the modeling framework shows promising results and has opportunities for future expansion.