[bell-cot]

> ... the Y-Zipper, a 3D-printed, three-sided fastener that can snap a floppy, flexible structure into a rigid, load-bearing beam with one smooth pull.

Not a mechanical engineer, but I'd figure both the "rigid" and "load-bearing" aspects will be far poorer than conventional beams of the same size and weight.

[radiorental]

This might be one of those cases where it solves for problem spaces that aren't being considered yet.

What I mean by that is in the case of soft robotics, it was developments in manufacturing techniques for the inflated leading edge of kitesurfing kites, that unlocked the capabilities to make soft robots more feasible.

[lightedman]

Depends on the material that is being used and application. I could see this being highly useful for tents and similar fabric structures. I probably would not build a satellite solar panel structure/frame with them (atomic oxygen is a nasty critter) but for some lightweight terrestrial applications I can see much potential.

[clickety_clack]

Interesting, which material?

[pajko]

It looks like this could be made from any metal, where the small segments are connected together like links of a chain.

[lightedman]

For example, if you used PLA you'd get a stiffer, more mechanically-rigid structure in the zipped-up state. If you used TPU, you'd get a more flexible and elastic structure. I'd want PLA for tent seams and TPU for the door zipper.

[clickety_clack]

Is PLA stiffer somehow in this state than it would be as a conventional beam?

[AngryData]

Theoretically it could be because the structure could be held in compression while zipped. But the reality of imperfect manufacturing tolerances and the limits of how difficult to zip you can make a zipper and still be usable makes me think not.

[fragmede]

I don't want door zippers, I want a door!