Mobility in Metamorphic Mechanisms of Foldable/Erectable Kinds

Abstract

This paper looks at a class of mechanisms that change structure when erected or folded. The class includes a variety of artefacts and decorative gifts and boxes comprised of flat card creased to enable the folding or unfolding of a structure. Such a structure admits kinematic study in keeping with theory of mechanisms when the creases are treated as hinges joining card and paper panels treated as links. New horizons have been brought up in the use and mechanised manufacture of mechanisms of this kind. Here typical types are described in terms of their fundamental parts and their equivalent mechanisms. Screw system theory is brought into the analysis of mechanisms of these kinds, particularly those containing multiple loops. Different geometry and system combinations are used for the study of mobility and kinematics making use of the result from the equivalent screw systems.