Introduction: Super Flexible Double Curvature Surface - Laser Cut Plywood
Carl Friedrich Gauss distinguishes between three types of curved surfaces, single curved - neutral (cylindrical), and double curved - negative (hyperboloid) and positive (spherical).
Curved surfaces are very attractive, especially negative double curved surfaces, but also very complicated to perform. What’s interesting about them in constructive terms is the increase in stiffness and load capacity as the surface is bent in one and two directions.
In a small book DIGITAL Gehry Material Resistance Digital Construction (Bruce Lindsey, Bitkhäuser 2001) writes that if flat piece cost one dollar, single curvature piece cost two dollars, double curvature piece cost ten dollars. This is true for all materials wood, metal, plastic, glass, concrete ...
It is immediately clear why some engineers are crazy about double curved surfaces and are constantly trying to find a method that can simplify and cheapen the process.
From time to time I search the Internet on that matter. One day I stumbled upon the wooden book covers that can be done on a laser cutter, with interesting technical solution of the spine; wooden board is slit in such a way that can be bend like rubber.
I immediately turned my machine on and started playing with this surface. The feeling of holding that piece of wood in my hands was incredible, something that just seconds earlier, was a stiff piece of plywood was now flexible like paper. But only in one direction, in the other was still stiff. Then I decided to cut the surface to enable it to bend in both directions, so that I could achieve double Gaussian curvature, positive and negative. After a couple of failed attempts that were based on a variety of perforations, I realized that what I was doing didn’t make any sense. I've studied the way in which the first surface was cut. In order to be bent it was turned into a series of slender elements that are easily twisted, which are interconnected on fixed points. The greater the distance between the fixed points, and the slimmer the elements, the more flexible the surfaces is. Although an element can twist for only a few degrees (before it breaks) when multiplied many times, the flexibility is incredible. I realized I should apply the same theory in both directions – so I turned the line elements into a rectangular spiral, whose segments twist in both directions, and in that way I connected the fixed point with very long slender elements. The result was even more fascinating.
When you first hold plywood cut in such a way it completely surprises you, you are not sure what exactly is in your hand, you cannot believe that it’s wood, because the lack of rigidity gives you a totally different feeling.
But, what to do with this piece of flexible plywood? I have some ideas, but I would also like to hear more suggestions ...

First Prize in the
Epilog Contest VII
99 Comments
3 years ago
Great work... Really love the design.
4 years ago on Introduction
I found your file for sale on etsy.com
Strange that somebody has gathered files online and passing them off as their own.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ProjectsForCnc?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=666873659
6 years ago
I got mine !
6 years ago
excelente, obrigado por compartilhar!
6 years ago
Very cool!
7 years ago
Absolutly awesome, Thanks so much for posting this project. I just got a laser printer and this has been a real inspiration for me
7 years ago
perfect! a greek maiandros
7 years ago
This is really awesome! I had an idea to use this for a laser-cut chair, it would be nicer to sit on a surface like this than something flat and stiff!
7 years ago
Is there anyone that would sell sheets of this already done to be used for fashion design. I dont have a laser cutter but im so interested in experimenting with this material for design.
7 years ago
Very inspiring, I made my own patterns based on this idea
http://msraynsford.blogspot.com/2016/01/flexible-s...
7 years ago
Awesome Pattern! Is this under Creative Commons? Am I able to use this however ?
Reply 7 years ago
Yes, you can use it how ever you like!
7 years ago
They have, check out the glowforge http://glowforge.com/referred/?kid=mkEgpH
7 years ago
I think I have a unique use. By carefully varying the size and/or density of the cuts, you could create a pattern that would automagically "fall" or drape into a desired pattern. For example, the prow of a boat. The gently curved sides would have fewer cuts. The bow would have more, and so on. It would take a lot of trial and error, or a genius, but you could make a design drape into almost any OPEN shape.
7 years ago
Super cool
I made it
!~!!
7 years ago
this looks insane! I need to find a laser cut machine =D
7 years ago
Can be used for boat building, car modeling or making any jigs you need!
8 years ago
That's just neat!
8 years ago
it might be a great veneer for skateboards, Longboards etc.
8 years ago on Introduction
Consider the material more like a stiff fabric as to what it could be used for! Plus, the thickness of the wood can change the way it would be used, too. Seats, dashboards, bowls, screens that curve, wall coverings, shades / window covers, lampshades, ...