SnipFold

Truncated Tetrahedron

Exact Archimedean solid: four equilateral triangles and four regular hexagons, joined with numbered exterior two-wing seam tabs.

Materials

  • 160-180 gsm paper
  • Scissors
  • Scoring tool and ruler
  • PVA glue
  • Pencil
  • Protractor

Finished size: 67.88 x 67.88 x 67.88 mm; edge 32 mm

Steps

CutValley foldMountain foldGlue area

  1. Cut and identify the panels and seam tabs

    Print at 100%; check the 50 mm ruler. Cut eight panels and 18 separate numbered seam tabs. Transfer every printed part ID lightly to its outside face before removing the scrap. Each panel has its first edge horizontal at the bottom of the template. Label that edge e1, then count counterclockwise around the printed face: e2 rises at the right end of e1. Keep this printed-face orientation outward. Do not crease the panels.

  2. Score the numbered exterior tabs

    Score each S tab along its 26 mm centerline. Each wing is 5 mm wide. The printed face stays outside: mountain-fold the seam ridge. Hexagon/hexagon seams turn 109.471 degrees from flat (70.529 degrees internal dihedral); triangle/hexagon seams turn 70.529 degrees (109.471 degrees internal). The crease sits on the panel butt joint; each strip end stops 3 mm short of the panel corner. Glue goes on the underside of both wings, against the exterior panel surfaces.

  3. Join the four hexagons

    S03: H3 e2 / H4 e3; S05: H2 e4 / H4 e1; S06: H2 e2 / H3 e4; S10: H1 e2 / H4 e5; S11: H1 e4 / H3 e6; S15: H1 e6 / H2 e6. Butt the matching 32 mm edges without overlap. Center each numbered tab ridge over the joint, with 5 mm of wing on each outside face and 3 mm clearance at both corners. Apply thin PVA to one wing, press and let it grab; then glue the second wing while holding the measured dihedral. Work one seam at a time and let it set before loading the next. Keep all four triangular openings clear while building the shell.

  4. Attach triangle T1

    S01: T1 e2 / H4 e2; S02: T1 e1 / H3 e3; S04: T1 e3 / H2 e3. Butt the matching 32 mm edges without overlap. Center each numbered tab ridge over the joint, with 5 mm of wing on each outside face and 3 mm clearance at both corners. Apply thin PVA to one wing, press and let it grab; then glue the second wing while holding the measured dihedral. Work one seam at a time and let it set before loading the next. Seat the triangle flush, tack its first seam, then attach the other two tabs from outside. All pressing is external, so even the last closure needs no finger or tool trapped inside.

  5. Attach triangle T2

    S07: T2 e1 / H4 e4; S08: T2 e2 / H3 e1; S09: H1 e3 / T2 e3. Butt the matching 32 mm edges without overlap. Center each numbered tab ridge over the joint, with 5 mm of wing on each outside face and 3 mm clearance at both corners. Apply thin PVA to one wing, press and let it grab; then glue the second wing while holding the measured dihedral. Work one seam at a time and let it set before loading the next. Seat the triangle flush, tack its first seam, then attach the other two tabs from outside. All pressing is external, so even the last closure needs no finger or tool trapped inside.

  6. Attach triangle T3

    S12: T3 e2 / H4 e6; S13: H2 e5 / T3 e1; S14: H1 e1 / T3 e3. Butt the matching 32 mm edges without overlap. Center each numbered tab ridge over the joint, with 5 mm of wing on each outside face and 3 mm clearance at both corners. Apply thin PVA to one wing, press and let it grab; then glue the second wing while holding the measured dihedral. Work one seam at a time and let it set before loading the next. Seat the triangle flush, tack its first seam, then attach the other two tabs from outside. All pressing is external, so even the last closure needs no finger or tool trapped inside.

  7. Attach triangle T4 last

    S16: H3 e5 / T4 e1; S17: H2 e1 / T4 e2; S18: H1 e5 / T4 e3. Butt the matching 32 mm edges without overlap. Center each numbered tab ridge over the joint, with 5 mm of wing on each outside face and 3 mm clearance at both corners. Apply thin PVA to one wing, press and let it grab; then glue the second wing while holding the measured dihedral. Work one seam at a time and let it set before loading the next. Seat the triangle flush, tack its first seam, then attach the other two tabs from outside. All pressing is external, so even the last closure needs no finger or tool trapped inside.

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.