Iris business card

video Iris business card

This is an iris mechanism built into a business card sized card.

The design files can be downloaded here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8787
Another version with 4 leafs: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:8944

The paper needs to be fairly thick because it needs some stiffness to operate. I use a 14 point (0.014") paper

It can be cut by hand, but it would of course be much easier on a laser or paper cutting machine.

Adambowker98 says: Jun 5, 2012. 8:52 PM

Do you have a template for printing the card info?

clide (author) in reply to Adambowker98Jun 5, 2012. 9:33 PM

Sorry I don't have a template specifically designed for easily adding text to this one.

If you want to add text on it I would suggest working with the .svg file with the free vector program "Inkscape".

Adambowker98 in reply to clideJun 6, 2012. 4:43 AM

Is Inkscape available for Mac?

clide (author) in reply to Adambowker98Jun 6, 2012. 9:06 AM

Yes, I think so

Adambowker98 in reply to clideJun 6, 2012. 10:07 AM

Ok, thanks! I will try it out tonight!

mitch and sean says: Mar 1, 2012. 8:20 PM

Have u got a video for the 4 sided iris card?

If not can u pls make one and put it on instructables? Thnx

AJuanillo says: Dec 4, 2011. 10:31 AM

Saw this on youtube after I saw your Instructable http://youtu.be/q8g307iiFoc

clide (author) in reply to AJuanilloDec 4, 2011. 12:36 PM

Thanks for posting that. That one even pre-dates mine. I tried searching around to see if anyone had ever done it before, but that didn't show up in my search.

imBobertRobert says: Nov 23, 2011. 1:26 PM

cutting this by hand is a real pain, but is still really cool. if i could someday make it out of metal then it would slide much easier, since i could file it and add grease and stuff. nice job!

Rimwulf says: Oct 2, 2011. 12:11 AM

I was just wondering about a snap -back-in-place version where the iris would snap back into the closed position.

clide (author) in reply to RimwulfOct 2, 2011. 12:01 PM

Well it works to a limited extent just to make some notches on the body and arm and put a rubber band around it, but it is really touchy about the tension. Too much and the card will start flexing too much when you try to open it and too little and it won't close by itself. With some work you may be able to incorporate something internally, but I haven't had much luck putting rubber bands inside something this thin.

Rimwulf in reply to clideOct 3, 2011. 1:50 PM

im toying with the idea of using thin metal like aluminium can. even thought of vary thin rare earth magnates glued but that kinda defeats the use of paper.

clide (author) in reply to RimwulfOct 3, 2011. 2:34 PM

I don't know how well magnets would work because of the distance it has to travel. Maybe a large diameter but relatively weak torsion spring could work, but you would probably have to make your own because I don't think I've seen one that size.

tobyscool says: Sep 24, 2011. 8:47 PM

Mine works great!
thanks :D

jennellio says: Sep 24, 2011. 4:00 PM

sorry, but isnt this a copy of the portal two business card instructable. im not beeing mean but idk if this is just a different version or what... it sure looks like it. but you did do a great job

clide (author) in reply to jennellioSep 24, 2011. 5:09 PM

I posted the design files for this back in May on Thingiverse. drknotter modified my design (quite well) to make the Portal 2 business card. I was just late getting this video posted here.

el_seppos says: Sep 24, 2011. 5:13 AM

I just made one!
closing works pretty good but opening is a little bit difficult,
but that's probably because i've cut it out by hand and som edges are a little bit rough
but I like the instructable :D

clide (author) says: Sep 22, 2011. 1:55 PM

I made this video back when I first made the card and kept forgetting to post it here.

I do have one more card design coming that is my simplest so far and quite fun, but it may be a couple months before it is ready.