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A paper automaton is a paper or card model with a mechanism that turns a simple input—often a hand-turned crank—into visible movement. A cam might lift a figure, a crank might drive a slider, or gears might transfer rotation. You can start with a ready-designed kit or printable mechanism, or study the mechanisms and design a moving model of your own.
How do paper machines work?
Paper automata use moving parts to translate one action into another. Turning a handle, for example, can make a character bob, a wheel rotate, or a part slide back and forth. The mechanism—not just the decoration—determines the movement.
Cranks make repeating movement
A crank converts turning into a repeating path or back-and-forth action. In a crank-slider, the rotating crank drives a slider along a straight path. Rob Ives’s mechanism examples also include crank boxes.
#1 Best Overall
- An amazing interactive automata model powered by the simple crank; Great Christmas gift, birthday present and DIY project for kids
- Assemble the paper kit and turn crank to enjoy this automation; The only tool needed is glue
- Designed by Keith Newstead, a world-renowned British automata designer, whose fabulous automata works can be seen in the British Museum, the Tower of London, and the UK's National Gallery
- Learn the mechanical principles of levers and gears
- Recommended for children 7 years old or older; WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD- Small parts. Not suitable for children under 3 years.
Cams lift or push a follower
A cam is a shaped rotating part that pushes a follower, rod, or other connected piece. As the cam turns, its profile determines how the follower moves. Changing the shape can change the resulting motion. See Rob Ives’s mechanism examples.
Gears transfer rotation
Meshing gear teeth transfer rotation from one part to another. Gear arrangements can alter rotational direction or speed; compound gears combine more than one gear pair. Ives’s examples include gear-up and compound gear mechanisms.
Rank #2
Levers and linkages pass movement along
A lever pivots around a point, while a linkage connects moving parts. Both can transfer movement to another part of a model. Combining a crank, cam, gear, lever, or linkage can give different parts of a character distinct motions.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow can you start making a paper automaton?
Choose between following a prepared design and learning enough mechanism principles to create your own. A ready-designed kit or printable mechanism gives you a defined project; a design-focused guide is a better fit if you want to understand how to plan and build original models.
Rank #3
- Used Book in Good Condition
| Route | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Kit or printable mechanism | A maker who wants a defined project and a visible result | Model subject, included parts, whether printing is required, mechanism type, instructions, and availability in your region. Rob Ives’s catalog lists kits and mechanism downloads: Rob Ives. |
| Design-focused book | A maker who wants to understand mechanisms and create original models | Coverage of tools, design process, mechanism families, project examples, format, and edition. |
A design guide for making your own
Making Paper Automata by Rob Ives is described by its author and publisher as a guide to designing and making paper automata. The Crowood Press lists a paperback (ISBN 9780719844874) and an ebook (ISBN 9780719844881), both published March 26, 2025. Check the publisher’s book listing for edition details and current availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do you need to make a paper automaton?
Supplies depend on the design. A basic project may call for paper or card, scissors, glue, and a suitable cutting surface. Some designs require printing a template before assembly; others may include prepared pieces. The maker resource describes a common workflow of printing, cutting, folding, and gluing, while Ives’s educational page links to materials and technique advice.
- Check the design’s instructions before choosing paper or card and gathering tools.
- Use scissors or another appropriate cutting tool for the design. If a craft knife is needed, work on a suitable cutting mat and use adult supervision for children.
- Follow the folding and gluing sequence in the instructions so moving parts can operate as intended.
For further materials and technique guidance, see Rob Ives’s educational resources.
What should you look for in a first project?
Pick a project whose movement interests you, then check that its instructions and materials suit your experience and tools. The mechanism gives you a useful way to understand what the model will do: a cam pushes a follower, a crank drives a repeating path, and gears transfer rotation. A prepared design lets you focus on assembling that mechanism; a design guide can help when you want to plan one yourself.
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