Origami, German Bell, Math, Geometry

thingiverse

Origami or artistic paper folding is an intriguing math-art pursuit that captivates many minds. Various ideas emerge in an origami endeavor, including words, shapes, spatial reasoning, symmetry, fractions, and proportionality. Nonetheless, most origami projects are not well-suited for 3D design or printing. The German Bell is one such project that I've attempted to model in 3D. It performs remarkably with PLA or flexible filament. Once the template has been printed, carefully remove it with a spatula and gently fold the square along all the grooves, avoiding complete folds. As creases become pliable, squeeze the four corners and allow them to come together gradually. Meanwhile, push the bottom out slightly. You'll soon find yourself holding a German Bell – an entry-level 3D design project that complements the traditional paper model. Thicker versions may yield better results, depending on the filament used.