jmc

Define points $C$, $D$, $E$, $F$ and $O$ as shown in the figure. Triangles $BCO$ and $BFO$ are right triangles that share a hypotenuse, and $CO=6\text{ cm}=OF$. By the hypotenuse-leg congruency theorem, triangles $BCO$ and $BFO$ are congruent. Therefore, angles $CBO$ and $FBO$ each measure 30 degrees, so angle $BOC$ measures 60 degrees. Since the ratio of the length of the longer leg to the length of the shorter leg in a 30-60-90 triangle is $\sqrt{3}$, $BC=CO\cdot \sqrt{3}=6\sqrt{3}$ cm. Also, angles $DCO$, $CDE$, and $DEO$ each measure 90 degrees, so angle $EOC$ measures 90 degrees as well and quadrilateral $CDEO$ is a rectangle. Therefore, $CD=OE=6$ cm. Summing $BC$ and $CD$, we have $BD=6+6\sqrt{3}$. Because triangle $ABD$ is a 30-60-90 triangle, we can double $BD$ to find $\boxed{AB=12+12\sqrt{3}}$ centimeters.