Origami flapping bird is a type of origami model that can flap its wings. It is a popular origami design that many origami enthusiasts like to fold. The flapping motion of the wings is achieved through the clever use of paper folding techniques.
What is origami?
Origami is the art of paper folding. It originated from Japan and has been practiced for centuries. The goal is to create shapes and figures by folding paper without using glue or scissors. Origami is enjoyed by people of all ages as it develops hand-eye coordination and spatial skills.
History of origami flapping bird
The origins of origami flapping bird designs can be traced back to the early 1900s. In the 1920s, Japanese origami master Akira Yoshizawa helped popularize wet-folding techniques which allowed more curved surfaces and lifelike forms. This enabled more complex designs like articulated origami birds with flappable wings. However, the mechanism for flapping motion was still limited at the time.
In the late 1980s, advances were made by origami artists to enable flying origami models. Traditional Japanese origami techniques were combined with principles of physics and engineering. By accurately balancing weight distribution and using angular momentum, it was possible to get the wings to flap.
Modern origami flapping bird designs rely on zigzag paper folds and twists that act as hinges to articulate the wings. Thin, strong paper is folded intricately in multiple directions to enable both strength and flexibility. The wings can be made to flap up and down by blowing on the bird or pressing lightly on the body.
Steps to fold an origami flapping bird
Here are the basic steps to fold a simple origami flapping bird:
- Start with a square sheet of paper. The standard size is 15cm x 15cm but you can fold with smaller or bigger squares too.
- Fold the paper diagonally in half to form a triangle. Unfold it.
- Fold the top corner down to meet the bottom edge. Crease well and unfold.
- Open the paper. Fold the left corner across to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
- Fold the top point downwards again along the existing crease. Turn over.
- Fold the top flap downwards, leaving a small margin.
- Fold the top corners inwards to form a triangular flap.
- Fold the sides of the flap inwards to narrow it.
- Inside-reverse fold the flap to create the bird’s head.
- Fold the wings down on both sides along the diagonal creases.
- Your origami flapping bird is ready! Gently press on the body or blow on the beak to make the wings flap.
With practice, you can fold the bird quickly in under a minute. More complex designs take longer but the principles are the same. The key is making crisp, accurate folds.
How does the flapping mechanism work?
There are two key factors that enable the wings to flap:
- Zigzag folds – The paper is folded back-and-forth in a zigzag pattern to create flex points along the wings. Multiple valley and mountain folds give the wings strength as well as flexibility to move up and down.
- Counterbalancing – The wings are folded in a way that counterbalances each other. When one wing goes up, the other goes down. Pressing the body shifts the center of gravity and creates momentum for the wings to flap.
Thin, lightweight paper maximizes these effects. The fast vibrations make the flapping look continuous to our eyes. Some designs may also use principles of angular momentum to magnify the flapping movement.
Tips for making a good flapping origami bird
- Use thin, crisp paper like origami paper or tissue paper. Avoid thick, bendy paper.
- Make sharp creases when folding the zigzag patterns.
- Be exact with your folds – symmetry is key.
- Add a paper clip or small magnet at the beak to increase the weight.
- Adjust the wings to balance evenly on both sides.
- Play with different folding patterns and paper sizes to get the best effect.
- Practice makes perfect – refine your technique with each bird you fold.
Interesting uses of origami flapping birds
- Kinetic art – Mounted on stands, they make visually interesting decor pieces that move.
- Toys & gifts – Flapping birds are fun playthings for kids and make great handmade gifts.
- Jewelry – Tiny flapping birds can be worn as pendants or charms on bracelets.
- Education – Teachers use them to demonstrate principles of physics, math, geometry, etc.
- Events & displays – Adding a kinetic element to events with rows of flapping origami.
- Research – Scientists study their dynamics to aid fields like aerodynamics and robotics.
The simplicity of origami flapping birds belie their potential for creative applications. With just paper and folding, you can make an engaging animation powered by physics!
Conclusion
Origami flapping birds are a charming example of how paper folding techniques can create motion. By using zigzag folds, weight balance and counterbalancing wings, the origami seems to come alive in your hands! It takes precise folds and practice to get the wings flapping smoothly. But the amazement of seeing origami move is well worth the effort. While origami flapping birds are fun crafts or toys, they also demonstrate potential scientific principles. Their clever paper engineering continues to inspire new generations of origami artists and innovators.