Fast and Simple Printing of Graded Auxetic Structures

Abstract

One of the great promises of additive manufacturing is the ability to build parts with volumetrically graded parameters that would be difficult or impossible with traditional manufacturing. This paper presents a method of procedural generation and unsupported fabrication of 2D objects patterned with functionally graded auxetic (negative Poisson’s ratio) cellular structures using commercially available FDM printers. Several types of two-dimensional auxetic pattern are fabricated. The resulting printed objects exhibit a graded response to load, deforming corresponding to local patterning. Deformation is studied using imaging of loaded structures and applications in several areas are considered.