CoilFORM: the impact of the winding on the flat spiral shape memory alloy coils

CoilFORM is a shape changing interface that relies on the programmable deformation of its patterned actuating coils, to deform a malleable covering surface. The actuating coils inherit their geometric characteristics and their controllable shape changing behavior, from twisting shape memory alloy wires in a flat spiral trajectory. Thus, CoilFORM is significantly compact and can pack more actuators, unlike the existing devices. In this article, we feature the various configurations of the actuating coils, their quirks, and their impact on the performance and the rendering of CoilFORM. More precisely, we examine the geometric characteristics and the thermomechanical behavior of each coil inside and out of CoilFORM through numerical simulation.