Protective packages are designed to withstand the many rigors of the distribution (e.g. sudden impacts and sustained load). Flexible protective packaging is one of the fast-growing product segments and a great opportunity to Finnish economy. Cushioning structures based on simple tessellation designs are not yet common and neither there is a roll-to-roll folding technique for paper webs. The main goal of the FOLDS project is to find flexible protective packaging solutions, potential origami-based symmetric tessellation types suitable for industrial roll-to-roll folding process and demonstration of potential tessellations. The project will create scientific understanding of the mathematical, physical and mechanical interactions involved in cellulose-board tessellations and generate fundamental knowledge, experimental results and demonstrative 3D structures made from cellulose.
Main results
Suitable designs for highly flexible and multifunctional folded structures have been discovered to be used as a cushioning material and as a protective surface in packaging.
Design of the tessellation pattern is the key for successful structures. In addition, local extensibility of the material was recognized as a key property for successful folding event of papers and boards.
A framework for mechanical performance of self-supporting paper-like Miura structures was developed (Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, 2022)
A basis for identifying qualitative design-driven folding parameters and their quantification via numerical simulations was developed.
A folding nip prototype was developed.
Publications (see also links below the news item)
Kouko, J., Kankkunen, T., Palmu, M., Niiranen, J., and Peltonen, K. Practical folding meets measurable paper properties, Materialia, 31, 101871 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2023.101871
Kankkunen, T., Niiranen, J., Kouko, J., Palmu, M., and Peltonen, K. Parametric linear finite element stress and stability analysis of isotropic and orthotropic self-supporting Miura-ori structures, Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures, 29:27, 5808-5822 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1080/15376494.2021.1965679
Palmu, M., Peltonen, K., and Kouko, J. Origami folding for structured materials, Progress in Paper Physics Seminar: Abstract book of the PPPS2020 seminar September 1-3, 2020 in Jyväskylä, Finland p. 273-275. https://doi.org/10.32040/2242-122X.2020.T378
Kouko, J., Palmu, M., Peltonen, K. Continuous folding of origami structures, Progress in Paper Physics Seminar: Abstract book of the PPPS2020 seminar September 1-3, 2020 in Jyväskylä, Finland p. 285-286. https://doi.org/10.32040/2242-122X.2020.T378
Galkin, O. (2020) Oribox: Paper Miura-Ori fold as a protective and sustainable packaging element, Masters thesis. https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/44902
Palmu, M. (2019) Folded and unfolded, Masters thesis. https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/41206
Fold and Sustain: Envisioning the future of packaging at Helsinki Design Week 2019. https://www.aalto.fi/en/events/envisioning-the-future-of-packaging
Research Project Managers
Kirsi Peltonen, Aalto
Jarmo Kouko, VTT
Project status
Funded by FinnCERES 2018-2021.
The work continued as a Business Finland-funded Co-Creation project and is currently continuing in the Business Finland-funded Co-Innovation project "Novel folding technology for light-weight design structures and protective packaging".
In addition, related work is continuing in the Cellugami project funded by Aalto Bioinnovation Center.
Photos: Valeria Azovskaya. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0