Paper folding is modelled by configuring the initial points and constraints and defining our problemto be discovery of the folds and image points that satisfy those constrains. We use the tool panel or tool bar of the geometry software to define our problem by building a construction of dependentobjects. An object point and its image on the boundary of the shape define a line segment that can be envisaged as a ray of light. The line of reflection is the perpendicular bisector of the ray, andcorresponds to the fold that would be made on a paper circle. Figure 1 shows a model of Axiom 5-C, constructed using the CaRMetal geometry software. Points p1 and p2 are free to move. Thedashed circle is drawn around p2 and through p1. Intersection of the dashed circle with the boundary circle defines the image points p1' and p1''. The line segments ray' and ray'', represent thetranslation of p1 to the boundary. The origami creases, fold' and fold'', are derived as perpendicularsof ray' and ray''. Folding a paper circle along fold' would place p1 on the boundary at p1'.Alternatively, folding it along fold'' would place p1 on the boundary at p1''. If the dashed circleintersects the boundary of the shape, two folds can be drawn. If the distance from p1 to p2 equalsthe distance from p2 to the nearest point on the boundary, one fold exists, because the two circlesmeet at a single tangent point. If the dashed circle does not intersect the boundary, there is no foldthat solves the problem for the given positions of p1 and p2. Thus the geometry software allows usto explore and solve the problem of identifying the folds of the paper circle.
4.Generalising Axiom 5-C to Shapes other than Circles
The property of Axiom 5-C that most concerns us is that there are no more than two folds. That isnot a natural limit of the axiom for shapes other than circles, so we must devise a way to impose it.The generalised shape that I choose to study is a triangle with rounded corners. For simplicity, Iexamine a triangle with the same radius of curvature on each corner. You could make this shape bytaping three paper plates and three sheets of photocopier paper together. To construct it withcompass and straight edge, draw three identical circles and connect them with three straightsegments that meet the circles at a tangent. The boundary of the shape is composed of one arcsection of each circle, and the line segments that connect them.I propose that Axiom 5-C holds true if the radius of curvature of all arc sections of the boundary isgreater than or equal to the distance between p1 and p2. Each corner has the same radius, so we canenforce this condition by drawing a line segment from p2, of fixed length equal to that radius. Let p1 move along that line segment, inclusive of its end point. This construction is shown in figure 2.Page 3 of 10
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