Puzzle-like Modular Auxetic Lattice Structures: Construction Method, Experimental and Numerical Dynamic Investigation
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Auxetic structures form a distinct subgroup of mechanical metamaterials and exhibit unique properties, rendering them attractive for various engineering applications, such as aerospace engineering. Especially noteworthy properties are the negative Poisson ratios, high resistance to penetration and high energy dissipation as well as high energy absorption capabilities. These properties are primarily attributable to the geometry rather than constituent material selection, which gives them a major advantage in terms of adaptability and potential cost reduction during development and when used in daily construction. However, this dependence on geometric design space inevitably leads to high geometric complexity, which significantly limits broader application through available manufacturing techniques. Typically, these complex structures are almost exclusively produced using additive manufacturing, and thereby severely limiting the scalability and feasibility for large scale integration into real components. This study proposes a novel manufacturing approach for these auxetic lattice structures relying only on conventional sheet metal processing techniques. The method enables cost-effective and readily scalable production, while, through an appropriate structural design, preserving and potentially enhancing the desired properties and auxetic performance. To achieve this, a conventional three-dimensional lattice is advantageously divided into sub-components and subsequently reassembled in a puzzle-like manner utilizing dovetail joints. A prototype model is manufactured and evaluated through numerical and experimental investigations. The dynamic response of the system is characterized, with particular emphasis on structural damping, natural frequencies, and mode shapes. In summary, this study presents a novel design method and fabrication route for auxetic lattice structures compatible with established manufacturing processes. Their dynamic properties of the resulting structures are experimentally and computationally assessed. The findings are intended to support the translation of auxetic architectures into practical components and to advance their deployment in aerospace and broader engineering applications.
