Mesostructured Cellular Materials: Early Prototypes

thingiverse

Exploring material properties, these constructions focus on flexibility, deformation and form. By intentionally structuring materials, unique characteristics emerge, such as synclastic bending and auxetic behavior. Synclastic materials can easily assume compound curvature in two directions, unlike anticlastic ones. Auxetics, with negative Poisson's ratio, contract in one direction when stressed perpendicularly and expand when stretched. These mesostructured materials also diffuse light attractively. Potential applications include composite cores and lighting fixtures. The Makerbot Replicator 2 can print these well using "Standard" or "Low" settings; however, backlash may be an issue for finer structures. Ensure your slicer supports thin walls for successful printing.