Introduction: DIY Copy and Scale Machine Using Paper and Cardboard!

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About: Paper Crane Lab is a STEM education space in Bangalore, India that runs workshops and classes around the city. We are a group of enthusiastic teachers who love to experiment and combine STEM and the arts. Our …

Have you ever wanted to reproduce a drawing or text exactly as you drew it the first time, only to run into mismatches?

Fear not, this magical, fun'tastical' DIY copy and scale machine is here! You can use cardboard and paper to make a completely accurate and scaled version of your drawings onto a piece of paper. All you need is cardboard, pencils/markers, some tape and a piece of string!

To watch our tutorial, click on the link below:

Supplies

The materials you will need are:

  • Cardboard
  • Paper
  • Sticky tape
  • Pencils/markers/pens
  • String
  • Toothpick/skewers

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

The first step is to gather your materials!

Step 2: Step 1: Cut Out the Cardboard

Cut out your cardboard components in the dimensions mentioned above. You can even scale them and keep the ratios same if you want a smaller or larger working model.

Step 3: Mark Points to Poke Holes

On the four cardboard pieces, mark holes as shown, such that they are 1 cm from the top and bottom edge. For the longer cardboard pieces, mark a point in the center.

Step 4: Start Poking Holes!

Use a toothpink to gently poke through the marked holes, and use a pencil to widen them so that a pencil tip can just about pass through. Ensure it is not widened too much such that a pencil/pen falls through. Do this for all the marked holes.

Step 5: Tape the First Pivot Point

Hold the larger two cardboard pieces as shown in the image and pass a string through the holes on the top. Tape the string securely on both sides as shown, such that the two cardboard pieces can freely move about the pivot point.

Step 6: Add the Second Pivot Point

Add a smaller cardboard piece such that one hole of the smaller cardboard aligns with the middle hole of the first larger cardboard piece. Pass a string through it and tape it as before.

Step 7: Repeat for the Last Smaller Piece of Cardboard

Repeat this for the other cardboard piece as shown in the image.

Step 8: Insert the Copy Pencil/pen

At the intersection of the two smaller cardboard pieces, insert the copy pencil/pen as shown in the images. Tape it securely on the top and bottom such that it doesn't move.

Step 9: Insert the Main Pencil/pen

Insert the main writing pencil/pen into the rightmost hole as shown in the image. You have your basic setup almost ready!

Step 10: Insert the Toothpick

To support the structure, insert a toothpick/skewer into the leftmost hole as shown in the image. Now you are done! Place a piece of paper under the pencils, and you are good to scale and copy!

Step 11: And You Are Done!

You have your very own copy and scale machine! Watch the youtube tutorial for a demo on how to use it! Customize, improvise, and innovate, and make your machine even better. We cannot wait to see how you make it :D