Coding A Generalized House Wrap For A Rubber Band Pop-Up Mechanism In TurtleStitch

Video of the Pop-Up House In Action

In my last blog posting, https://papercraftetc.blogspot.com/2022/10/coding-generalized-rubber-band-pop-up.html I created a generalized form with variable dimensions to create rubber band pop-ups. The rubber band expands when the base is pressed down at the seam that is opposite to the internal diagonal.  When the side pressure is released, the expansion tension on the rubber band is released and the rubber band returns to its natural state  This phenomenom allows the slice form to deploy and become three dimensional.

In this blog posting, I have created a house wrap to go around this rubber band pop-up mechanism. I coded the house form in TurtleStitch using a lot of math, trigonometry and geometry. For example, I used the Pythagorean theorem to code the peak of the house and the roof beam.  I used Trigonometry and Geometry to code the arched windows.

To Create a House Wrap In TurtleStitch:

1). Here is my generalized code for the house wrap in TurtleStitch, https://www.turtlestitch.org/users/Elaine/projects/House%20Wrap%20For%20Rubber%20Band%20Pop-Up%20Mechanism

I only recommend changing the Height of Peak for your first try at this code, if desired. Familiarize yourself with the workings of the code before modifying it. Run the code in TurtleStitch.

2). Three forms are created, a roof, a house and a roof beam.  In the TurtleStitch drop down File menu,  Export as DXF for a paper cutting machine. Export the three forms.

3). Using your paper cutting machine, cut out the three forms.

If a Silhouette cutting machine is being used,  I have observed that the dimensions are not preserved. It must be resized in the Silhouette software before cutting. I have included a one inch square for reference. Once in the Silhouette software, release the compound path and observe the size of the one inch square. Divide 1.00 inch by this observed value and then multiply by 100 to get the percentage that the figures needs to be changed.   In the Silhouette's Transform Panel, resize the entire image using the scale window.

The image selected will be transformed 97.2% when the Apply button is pressed.

Make the House Wrap For The Rubber Band Pop-Up Mechanism

There are three forms that make up the house wrap.

Crease the house wrap around the pop-up mechanism from my last blog posting, https://papercraftetc.blogspot.com/2022/10/coding-generalized-rubber-band-pop-up.html Apply glue to the house wrap tab.

Adhere the tab to the inside of the house wrap.

Crease the roof beam as shown above.  Apply glue to one side of the rectangular area. Adhere the rectangles together.

Apply glue to both ends of the roof beam triangles.

Adhere the triangles to the peak of the house as shown above.

Apply glue to the top of the roof beam.  Crease the roof and apply glue to the crease as shown above.

Adhere and center the roof to the roof beam.

Collapse the house by pressing down on the house seam that is across from the diagonal to ensure that the roof has adhered correctly.

Completed Rubber Band Pop-Up House 

 This rubber band pop-up is an engineering marvel. It can fit into an A4 envelope using the dimensions that I have used coding in TurtleStitch.. An A4 envelope is 4 1/4 in. x 6 1/4 in. The recipient of this house will be astonished when the flat house opens into this amazing three dimensional marvel.