DuoMorph: Synergistic Integration of FDM Printing and Pneumatic Actuation for Shape-Changing Interfaces

TL;DR

DuoMorph combines FDM 3D printing and pneumatic actuation into a single fabrication process, enabling novel shape-changing interfaces through mutually designed components that are easy to produce with standard printers.

Contribution

It introduces a new design space, fabrication method, and design tool for integrating FDM printing with pneumatic actuation in a seamless, single-step process.

Findings

Successfully created shape-changing prototypes using DuoMorph.

Demonstrated diverse applications and complex actuation functions.

Validated the design space and fabrication approach.

Abstract

We introduce DuoMorph, a design and fabrication method that synergistically integrates Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printing and pneumatic actuation to create novel shape-changing interfaces. In DuoMorph, the printed structures and heat-sealed pneumatic elements are mutually designed to actuate and constrain each other, enabling functions that are difficult for either component to achieve in isolation. Moreover, the entire hybrid structure can be fabricated through a single, seamless process using only a standard FDM printer, including both heat-sealing and 3D and 4D printing. In this paper, we define a design space including four primitive categories that capture the fundamental ways in which printed and pneumatic components can interact. To support this process, we present a fabrication method and an accompanying design tool. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of DuoMorph through a series of example applications and performance demonstrations.