Computational Design and Automated Fabrication of 
Kirchhoff Plateau Surfaces


Jesus Perez Miguel Otaduy Bernhard Thomaszewski
URJC Madrid URJC Madrid Disney Research & University of Montreal




Abstract
We propose a computational tool for designing Kirchhoff-Plateau Surfaces—planar rod networks embedded in pre-stretched fabric that deploy into complex, three-dimensional shapes. While Kirchhoff-Plateau Surfaces offer an intriguing and expressive design space, navigating this space is made difficult by the highly nonlinear nature of the underlying mechanical problem. In order to tackle this challenge, we propose a user-guided but computer-assisted approach that combines an efficient forward simulation model with a dedicated optimization algorithm in order to implement a powerful set of design tools. We demonstrate our method by designing a diverse set of complex-shaped Kirchhoff-Plateau Surfaces, each validated through physically-fabricated prototypes.


Publication
ACM Transactions on Graphics 36(4) (SIGGRAPH 2017)
Authors' version

Video



Pictures



Butterfly: simulated design (left) and manufactured prototype (right). [hi-res image]


Car: simulated design (bottom) and manufactured prototype (top). [hi-res image]


Armor: simulated designs (left) and manufactured prototypes (right). [hi-res image]


Mask: simulated design (left) and manufactured prototype (right). [hi-res image]


Flower: simulated design (left) and manufactured prototype (right). [hi-res image]