Taking advantage of the kinematic adaptability of bike frame patterns, gently curved structures can be created.
This study continues the initial experiment with the global deformation of lattices to form shell-like constructions.
The flexibility of the lattice structure not only improves the co-alignment of parts with varying geometry but also allows manipulation of the global form by maintaining the interconnected pattern organization.
However, in the flat state, better overall alignment can be achieved than in the deformed version (see angles in images above). This could be partially overcome by optimizing the constellation of parts whilst maintaining global curvature, but it is less likely to find a combination of parts that produces sufficient alignment.
The best result among 1000 random tests is 8.22°, which is significantly inferior to 5.17° in a single random test for a flat pattern as shown above.
Another approach is to use a distinct constellation of parts to affect a global deformation.
When working with a double-layered system, smaller parts can be positioned on one layer, and larger parts on the other to produce a global curvature, which is not caused by external forces, and therefore allow for better alignment. The tests below show this effect.
The sample with all parts from the set used shows a gently curved global form with fair alignment angles, which are almost the same as in the single-layer sample above.
The double-layered system furthermore improves structural stability and is a promising development of the 2D lattice concept.