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Ensuring that deployable mechanisms are sufficiently rigid is a major challenge due to their large size relative to their mass. This paper examines three basic types of stiffener that can be applied to light, origami-inspired structures to manage their stiffness. These stiffeners are modeled analytically to enable prediction and optimization of their behavior. The results obtained from this analysis are compared to results from a finite-element analysis and experimental data. After verifying these models, the advantages and disadvantages of each stiffener type are considered. This comparison will facilitate stiffener selection for future engineering applications. 

Abstract Origami concepts show promise for creating complex deployable systems. However, translating origami to thick (non-paper) materials introduces challenges, including that thick panels do not flex to facilitate folding and the chances for self-intersection of components increase. This work introduces methods for creating permutations of linkage-based, origami-inspired mechanisms that retain desired kinematics but avoid self-intersection and enable their connection into deployable networks. Methods for reconfiguring overconstrained linkages and implementing them as modified origami-inspired mechanisms are proved and demonstrated for multiple linkage examples. Equations are derived describing the folding behavior of these implementations. An approach for designing networks of linkage-based origami vertices is demonstrated and applications for tessellations are described. The results offer the opportunity to exploit origami principles to create deployable systems not previously feasible.