[MFAC] B04-b: STILWARE Overview

Type of course:

Digital learning, Lesson

Language:

Duration:

15 minutes

Workload:

15 hours

Proficiency:

Intermediate

Target:

Manager, Professionals, Students

SUMMARY

This lesson introduces STILWARE, showcasing the interface, key functionalities, capabilities and tools available under the software.

STILWARE is STILFOLD’s in-house design toolkit for creating curved folded structures using Rhino and Grasshopper. It integrates directly into the Rhino/Grasshopper ecosystem as a set of parametric tools tailored to curve-folding processes. STILWARE enables both direct 3D surface-based modeling and simulation-driven folding from flat sheets, bridging the gap between conceptual design and fabrication-ready geometry. While the software is optimized for developable surfaces, it is not a general-purpose CAD tool—it is specialized for sheet-based, foldable structures. STILWARE supports iterative, rule-based design workflows for architects, designers, and engineers working with sustainable, tool-less fabrication strategies.

About The Author

STILFOLD is a Swedish design and technology company that has developed a patented origami-inspired manufacturing process for folding flat sheet metal into strong, lightweight structures with minimal waste. By replacing traditional stamping and welding with a digital, tool-less curve-folding method, STILFOLD enables more sustainable, cost-efficient, and flexible production. The technology is being applied across mobility, aerospace, energy, and architecture, with a business model focused on software, licensing, and innovation services—paving the way for a new era of circular and localized manufacturing.

Teaching Factory Competence Center AMKE (TF CC) is a center for Training of Human Resources, Development and Application of innovative technologies in Industry. The Competence Center is based on the “Teaching Factory” manufacturing education paradigm; a model that aims at developing an effective connection between universities / educational institutions and modern industrial and business practice. TF CC is oriented towards providing education and innovation services to the manufacturing industry. The competence center focuses on facilitating knowledge exchange between academia and industry and on creating added value for the services and products of manufacturing companies by promoting innovative technology and research activities performed by academia. For this purpose, TF CC provides a set of Learning Services and Innovative Technical Services to its customers aiming for Interdisciplinary learning, research & experimentation and exploitation of research results towards industrial applicability.

Learning outcomes

After the end of the lesson, learners will be able to navigate the STILWARE user interface and demonstrate basic functions and tools to manipulate simple pre-existing geometries.