MAT 111PF: Laser Cut Paper Forms

For this project, we were asked to create a 3d shape by first designing a flat geometric shape on cardstock, then folding it up and joining the edges to build the shape. I chose to make a minecraft creeper because I enjoy the way they are shaped.

1. Cardstock
2. Makerspace laser cutter
3. Glue
4. Black pen

Drawing out a sketch of the desired outcome, and figuring out the necessary layout for the creeper shape based on the 3d-shape.

Drawing out the sketch to scale in Fusion 360, extruding it, and generating a .dxf file of the contour of the top face for the laser cutter.

Laser cutting the shape, then removing it from the cardstock (kinda looks like a space station).

Folding all the edges and assembling the shape, using glue on the tabs.

Draw on the face with a pen, and it's all done!

I had a lot of fun with this project, making a funky shape with the paper. From the reading, I learned a lot of different techniques for joining edges for a net-to-3d shape such as this one, and I ended up choosing to use tabs as my main joining method, though I also branched out a little and incorporated a joint of my own design. This joint is found in what I think is the most unique part of the shape of this little creeper, in its legs. Each of the creeper's 4 little legs is a whole, enclosed cube, whilst the entire creeper shape remains made of one continuous piece of cardstock. It was an interesting challenge during the initial sketching phase to find a way to achieve this, and thankfully, the geometry of the 3D shape allowed it to be possible, with the legs attached to the rest of the body by one piece of bent paper. The legs, however, were not the biggest problem I ran into during this project. Since we're working with cardstock and not thinner, normal paper, I didn't quite manage to account for the way the curvature of the cardstock's bends will cause tolerance discrepancies in areas with tighter folds. I encountered this issue particularly in the "chin" of the creeper, where the big piece had to fold under the head. The side profile makes it evident that that part was not joined particularly well, but overall, I'm proud of how it all turned out! The legs even wiggle if you want them to :D