Optimization of Paper Pre-Creasing to Enable Reproducible Folding of Miura-Ori Origami Structures

When folding origami structures, it is much easier to create a design when the paper has already been folded. This is because creases in the material allow it to be easily folded the same way it was initially. The process of pre-creasing is to create narrow, deep valleys in the desired media to help complete a complex step or fold. The GraphTec Cutting Plotter CE6000-40 is a device that moves a blade along a designated pathway, cutting patterns in the desired media. This can be used to make pre-creases by replacing the blade with an empty ballpoint pen. With the goal of consistently creating ideal pre-creases for making Miura-Ori structures, several variables were tested, specifically the cutting force the machine applies, how fast the pre-creases are made, the number of passes over the design, the size of the pen’s ballpoint, and whether the media used was infiltrated with Ammonium metatungstate (AMT). To test each variable, cross-sections of the creases were measured to determine the depth of the crease and where the deepest point was located. After observing all the results, it was concluded that the ideal settings for making pre-creases are done with non-infiltrated media, the smallest ball diameter, a low speed, low number of passes, and a cut force near, but not greater than, 25. While pre-creases can be made using a higher cut force, the process often results in the machine ripping the media and would not be beneficial for mass production