Complex Surface Fabrication Via Developable Surface Approximation: A Survey

Complex surfaces are commonly observed in various applications and have significant value in enhancing comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. However, their fabrication often involves complex and costly processes. To simplify the fabrication difficulty, significant research has focused on using 3D developable surfaces to approximate target 3D surfaces. This process involves converting target 3D surfaces into developable surfaces and then flattening them into 2D patterns. Since the geometric and topological diversity of target surfaces, this task is both comprehensive and intricate, encompassing multiple aspects from design to fabrication. In this paper, we review relevant technologies and methods in fabrication processes, classify them, and summarize a pipeline from design to fabrication. This provides a comprehensive introduction to the field for researchers and practitioners. Through the analysis of relevant literature, we also discuss some of the research challenges and future research opportunities.