Invisibility in a Mirror Box

We were inspired by a YouTube video of DIY invisible cloak with mirrors. Here is the link of the video. The basic rationale is that reflection of mirror that tricks people’s eyes. Our eyes can see an object because the light reflects by that object comes into our eyes. So we decided to make a box that includes a invisible cloak by ourselves. We set the mirrors in a wood box cut by CNC ShopBot and 3D-printed two money cats as our objects. We cut a hole on the side of the box so that if someone see through the hole, it seems like there is only one cat in the box, since the reflection of that cat replace the other one. The light goes in a line, so we use the reflection twice to make one cat visible through the hole. Although in the video there are multiple reflections of the white cat because the camera is wider than human's sight, it is still interesting to play with the mirrors.

Supplies

Supplies

For the box:

Wood board

Shop Bot

Laser cutter

4 Mirrors 10*10cm

Hot glue

For the money cats:

3D printer

Filament

The 3D printing design from Thingiverse

Step 1: Design the Box

First, we need to design a box on boxmaker. These measurements for box should make the box big enough to hold the mirrors and two objects. Also, the box should be long enough to create the reflection of the cat at the backside of the box.The size of the box is 10*12*25cm.

Step 2: Cut the Box Out

Now we should send the files to the Shopbot. We put a wood board that is larger than the area estimated by Shopbot and we run though the process to check the path of the machine. We cut through the wood for the hole and the box.

Step 3: 3D-print the Objects

Use 3D printer to print out two objects.

Step 4: Glue the Mirrors

We glue the mirror into a right angle so that they are parallel and reflect the image in the right place.

Step 5: Set Up the Mirrors and Objects

As the image shows, the white money cat is the object we are hiding, therefore, we should put it in the section covered by the mirrors. The golden cat should be in the middle of two extension cords of two parallel lines created by mirrors, so that its image can be reflected into the hole. Finally, cover the lid.

Now if you let someone see through the hole, he would think that there is only one cat in the box.