313: Where the Paper Knows It Needs to Fold

Embedded.fm · 13 Dec 2019 · 1h 20m · Episode 313

What this episode covers

Robert J. Lang, an origami artist and consultant with a background in semiconductor lasers, discusses the intersection of art, mathematics, and engineering. He explains how mathematical methods like circle packing and curved folding enable complex designs, while laser cutters provide the precision needed for curved creases. Lang details his transition from a laser industry career to full-time origami, highlighting his books 'Origami Design Secrets' and 'Twists, Tilings, and Tessellations' as resources for understanding the geometry of folding.

Mentioned

Also
Robert J. Lang, Origami Design Secrets, Twists, Tilings, and Tessellations, Origamizer, Tree Maker, Reference Finder, Tesalatica, Tomohiro Tachi, Eric Demaine, Tomoko Fuse, Jeremy Shafer, Michael LaFoss, Richard Alexander, Origami Dough

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 52m

    Ep008: The Art Episode: Joe Kim, Strings And CRTs, Hydrogen Done 2-Ways

    Hackaday editors Mike Szczys and Elliot Williams interview art director Joe Kim about his illustration process, while reviewing projects like Bart Dring’s robotic string art machine, Emily Velasco’s CRT curve tracer, and Carl Buegga’s flex PCB robots. The hosts also discuss 3D printed mechanical computers, a hydrogen-producing aluminum-lye reaction, and various maker tools. Joe Kim explains his background at Art Center and his approach to visual storytelling for technical articles.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 1h 04m

    Ep 292: Stainless Steel Benchies, Lego Turing Machines, and a Digital Camera Made of Pure DIY

    Hosts Elliot Williams and Dan Maloney discuss several long-term hardware projects, including Wenting's seven-year effort to build a fully DIY mirrorless digital camera using a CCD sensor and FPGA, and Metal Matters' two-year struggle to 3D print stainless steel benchies using laser melting. They also cover Steven Hawes' work on solderless PCB prototyping with conductive inks, 3D printed roller bearings made from filament, and a complex Lego Technics Turing machine. The episode concludes with a deep dive into Lagrange points for space orbit mechanics and research into recycling polyethylene and polypropylene using solid-phase catalysts.

  • Robot Talk · 20m

    Episode 153: Origami-inspired robots - Chenying Liu

    Chenying Liu, a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, explains how embedding intelligence into robot bodies through geometry and materials enhances autonomy. She details the design of an origami-inspired robotic gripper that uses mechanical bifurcation to achieve eight grasping modes with only two motors, and discusses a reconfigurable millipede robot for disaster rescue. Liu also explores unconventional materials, including inflatable fabrics for wearables and living muscle cells to power hybrid robots, aiming to reduce computational load and increase resilience.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 44m

    Ep 356: Nanoprinting, Vibe Coding, and Keebin' with Kristina, IN HELL!

    Hosts Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos discuss Kristina's switch from Windows to Ubuntu after 38 years, followed by a review of recent hacks including nanoprinting with UV-cure nail gel and a functional Lego typewriter. They explore the application of graph theory to LED circuit sculptures and the mathematical enumeration of tie knots, before debating whether 'vibe coding' with LLMs is harming open-source software communities.

  • Being an Engineer · 40m

    Matt Perez | Being Able to Explain What You’re Doing

    Matt Perez, founder of CADucation, explains his transition from a hands-on fabrication background to becoming a leading CAD/CAM content creator for software companies like Autodesk. He emphasizes that true proficiency in tools like Fusion 360 and SolidWorks comes from understanding the 'why' behind design decisions, such as surface continuity and sketch constraints, rather than just following tutorials. Perez discusses the importance of reverse engineering physical objects, like multicolor pens, to master complex modeling techniques and the challenges of scaling his solo business into a small team.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Embedded.fm. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.