SnipFold

Cuboctahedron

Exact six-square, eight-triangle cuboctahedron: 14 rigid panels and 24 integral seam tabs.

Materials

  • 160-180 gsm cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Blunt scoring tool
  • PVA glue
  • Long tweezers
  • Removable low-tack tape

Finished size: 56.569 x 56.569 x 56.569 mm; shell edges 40 mm

Steps

CutValley foldMountain foldGlue area

  1. Print and identify the panels

    Print at actual size, 100 percent. Measure the 50 mm ruler and a 40 mm shell edge. Transfer the seam labels from the guide or notes to the inside in pencil. Cut 6 tabbed squares and 8 plain triangles; retain all 24 tabs.

  2. Score the square tabs

    Score only the four 40 mm tab roots on each square. Mountain-fold each tab 54.736 degrees from flat, away from the printed outside. Tabs are 4 mm deep, with 7 mm corner setbacks; do not crease across square or triangular faces.

  3. Build the open bottom bowl

    Place Zm at the bottom, printed face outward/down. Attach its four tabs beneath their labeled lower triangles, matching the full 40 mm edges and both endpoints. Press each 4 mm overlap from the open inside with tweezers; hold until tacky, then let set before adding the walls.

  4. Add the four side squares

    Add Xp, Yp, Xm and Ym in that order. Each side square joins two lower triangles using its bottom and left tabs, according to the seam map. Tuck tabs underneath the triangles and align both endpoints. Press from above through the open shell; let these eight joins set. Leave the other side-square tabs free.

  5. Complete the upper rim

    Fit each upper triangle between its two signed side squares, joining their remaining labeled tabs. For example Tppp joins Xp and Yp, leaving its Zp edge free. Glue and press the eight overlaps through the central top opening. Keep the four top edges unglued: they form a 40 mm sided square opening for tool access. Let dry.

  6. Dry fit the top closure

    Dry fit Zp into the remaining square opening, with all four 4 mm tabs tucked beneath their named upper triangles. Match the guide labels and all four corners; the axis-aligned overall size is 56.569 mm. Remove the cap, adjust its tab folds if needed, and prepare four short pieces of removable tape.

  7. Close progressively with access

    Glue only the Zp bottom tab (Tpmp) first; tuck it under Tpmp and hold while the cap is tilted open so tweezers can press inside. After it sets, glue the right and left tabs, lower the cap and press through the still-open top seam. Finally apply a thin film to the top tab (Tmpp), tuck it beneath Tmpp with tweezers and align the last 40 mm edge. Bridge seams with removable tape; gently press the triangle onto its hidden tab from outside, without crushing the shell. Allow full drying per glue instructions before peeling tape away.

Notes

The 3D model shows each piece in its finished, idealized shape; the exploded view only spreads the pieces apart. It is not a paper-physics simulation: curved shapes are forming guides, not exact physical folding or proof of developability, and intermediate fold shapes are not supplied.