Hydro-Fold by Christophe Guberan – Self folding inkjet printed paper

Created by Christophe Guberan, student at Ecole Cantonale d’art de Lausanne (ECAL), this inkjet printer prints patterns that contort pieces of paper into specific 3D forms. Dezeen reports that the modified printer uses a mixture of water and ink in the cartridge and causes the paper to fold along wet lines and humid areas.

Whereas normally these complex forms would require somewhat complex simulation in Rhino before being folded manually, Christophe method makes use of the shrinking quality of paper to allow it to reform into required shapes based on the patterns printed.

Different patterns, grids and shapes can be printed on paper using this specific liquid. While drying, the paper contorts, folds and retracts around the printed and humid areas, transforming it self from a 2-dimensional paper sheet to a 3-dimensional structure where lines become edges and surfaces become volumes.

There will be a live presentation of the project at the Salone Satellite at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan next week.