Introduction: Color Changing Bidirectional Tube
This pattern has been studied extensively with initial studies by S. Guest, S. Pellegrino, and B. Kresling. The color changing version was shown by origami artists Tomoko Fuse and Robert Lang.
Variations of the pattern has also been used in origami-based engineering applications by researchers at BYU. To learn more, visit cmr.byu.edu or look at the following citations.
Butler, Jared, et al. "Highly compressible origami bellows for harsh environments." ASME 2016 IDETC. ASME Digital Collection, 2016.
Sargent, B, et al. “An Origami-Based Medical Support System to Mitigate Flexible Shaft Buckling (in review)” ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 2019.
Sargent, B, et al. “Deployable bellows for delivery of a flexible, elongate device and methods of use” US Patent US20190269885A1
Supplies
Printer, Scissors
Optional: ruler, blunt object such as a ballpoint pen or stylist
Step 1: Print and Cut Out
Print or copy the fold pattern onto a piece of paper. Cut out the pattern.
Step 2: Optional- Prescore the Creases
Run over the creases with a blunt object like a ballpoint pen. This will help keep the folds crisp and along the lines and make things a lot easier when you move into the folding step.
Step 3: Fold
Fold along the lines. Dashed lines are valley folds, solid lines are mountain folds.
Step 4: Wrap Into a Tube
Wrap the pattern into a tube so the tabs along the left edge are laying on the right edge with the color side facing out. You can tape along the edge or use glue on the tabs to glue into the tube shape.
Step 5: Collapse the Tube
In this step, you are going to make sure all the folds you did earlier are working together. Once you make sure all the folds are going the right way (mountain and valley) you should be able to collapse the tube all the way flat into a small circular stack.
Step 6: Twist and Watch the Color Change
Now you should be able to twist the ends and by twisting in different directions, the pattern will change color!
6 Comments
2 years ago
Some kind of polarized window film sandwich. Swipe-Actuated
Question 2 years ago on Step 4
How to wrap it into a tube?
3 years ago
A mighty change of color :D
3 years ago
This looks so fun. I will give it a go. Thanks for the instructions and printable.
Question 3 years ago
how big of a paper i need
Reply 3 years ago
The template is for a regular 8.5x11 in. paper. But any size should work.