Mechanical Iris Greeting Card

Need an awesome card for your next special occasion? How about something with moving parts that reveal a surprise photo or image?

While these mechanical iris cards are a little time consuming to assemble, they're definitely worth the effort. The versatile design can be used for everything from adorable baby announcements to party invitations. Create a camera for a picture perfect valentine's day card or a submarine porthole for a steampunk Christmas card - the possibilities are endless.



If you're into irises, you should also check out these awesome instructables that were instrumental in making this card come together:
Mechanical Iris by carlbass
Paper Mechanical Iris by dombeef
Paper Iris Glasses by art.makes

Step 1: What you'll need

You'll need:

• the template provided with this instructable (in either pdf or Adobe Illustrator)
• cardstock or thin cardboard
• mini brads
• an x-acto knife or scissors
• double sided foam tape - you can use cardboard and glue if you don't have foam tape
• a printer

Depending on how you want your finished card to look, you might also want:

• a glue stick or other glue
• paint
• markers
• photos
• glitter, stickers, sequins or other decorative stuff

Finally, if you plan on making lost and lots of these cards (for wedding invitations or a big holiday mailing list), you may want:

• a digital cutting machine

or

• an account with Ponoko or a similar service

Comments

[lordvile]

hello im a year 9 student tryuing to make this and i am having major porblems with it if you could make a video tutorial that would be mucch appreciated

[msyfritt]

Thanks. Looks like I got it all figured out. I'm going to use this to make a Magic 8 Ball box. I think I will modify this with Laser cut wood and brass sheets for the blades.

[msyfritt]

Do you have a video of the assembly for this? I would like to use it for a project and this one is the best and easiest I have seen.

Great job!

[ModMischief]

I don't currently have a video for this card, but I'll try to remember to film one the next time I'm putting one of these cards together.

[dsherlock]

Very nice.
What did you use to make that .pdf file?

[ideatomik]

Awesome instructable, and the first one I've made! I used aluminum sheets for mine, but it works just fine:

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FGA/K9AW/H4VQNGRO/FGAK9AWH4VQNGRO.THUMB.jpg

http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FFT/2WDZ/H4VQ9RJ4/FFT2WDZH4VQ9RJ4.THUMB.jpg

[themostwonderfulplaceonearth]

Did you cut the aluminum with an ex-acto knife?

[ideatomik]

The blades are actually really thin and I cut then with a scissor from floppy disks' little metal covers. The circles in the outer ring were made out of a thicker aluminum sheet and cut with a cup saw, and the square was cut with a common metal saw.

[tinker234]

wow i love the idea i think i might make one of these someday

[strmrnnr]

Thank You. My dream home will have a larger scale version of this iris in it somewhere. I think air powered by a low voltage compressor.

[bajablue]

Love it!

[dvillegas duque]

I wonder if you want to make a camera, how to use a rubber band to make it ''automatic'' you know you pull the outter ring to close the iris (in this case the camera's diaphragma) it automatically opens again, like taking a photo. Any idea? i want to make for my brother.

[Ymerej88]

This is an awesome idea, and great timing too!
I'm going to try making an Aperture Science version for my brothers birthday (only 2 days away, aaaah!). It will go perfectly with the present, a Portal 2 water bottle from Think Geek.
Thanks for the istructable, I'll post a pic or two here if you like, when (if) I finish it.

[drknotter]

If you're interested in a Portal-themed iris, check out my Aperture Science Business Card instructable.

[monsterlego]

Cool idea.