The Five Fixing Components (Cold-Stamped Stainless Steel)

These are the visible, aesthetic connectors that hold the system together. They are divided by function:

• Surface: A plate-like component mounted on the face of a panel.
• Corner: An L-shaped component for the edges of flat boards.
• Border: A linear component for the perimeter of flat panels.
• Vertex: A component for the corners of three-dimensional boxes.
• Edge: A linear component for the edges of three-dimensional boxes.

All five are made of cold-stamped stainless steel for three reasons: natural beauty, long durability, and low mass-production cost.

The 3 connection types

SMUPI components allow four distinct connection modes, usable individually or in simultaneous combination:

Type	Mechanism	Feature
1. Magnetic	Mobile magnetic spheres inside components, poles self-align and always connect. Video Prototype Demonstration	Easy-connect and easy-release connection · on a single axis acts as a magnetic hinge · non-magnetic stainless steel does not interfere with magnets
2. Rigid mechanical	Two-coil stainless steel clips in the grooves. Video Prototype Demonstration Clip Animation Demonstration	2 perpendicular clips secure the 3-axis fix · inserted tool-free and removed with a bradawl or screwdriver
3. Elastic-frictional	Pre-formed rubber inserts in the grooves between two components. Modules connecting using clip and rubbers	Elastic interference fit · held by friction and compression · fills unused clip grooves · covers screw heads · engineerable as feet, handles and connectors for non-SMUPI elements

• Stainless Steel Clip

• Configurations of possible connections

• Board Modules (prototypes with components 3D printed on nylon)

• SMUPI Board and Box Modules

• SMUPI Boards, Boxes and Pillow Modules the sizes are always a multiple of 22 cm
  (Previous iteration without clip feature)

• Various compositions with a variety of SMUPI Modules

Panels Module Construction

Panel Sub-modules for the construction of SMUPI Box Modules using Vertex and Edge components

On Board Modules the Corner and the Border are simply mounted

Frame Module Construction

Panel Kit Box Assembly Animation – 22 x 22 x 44

The Components act as constructive joints for frames and at the same time act as Structural Connectors to hold sub-modules forming the frame together · load-bearing function · easily mounted with machine screws and threaded brackets

The following images are Frame Sub-modules for the construction of Box Modules and Board Modules

SMUPI – Certifications

• SMUPI Components IP are certified in Europe (EUIPO) and in major international markets through WIPO, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, the Russian Federation, India, South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and the member countries of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI)