Papercraft Coffin Automaton

Paper models that move always intrigue me. Here is one such model that fits the Halloween season: Ray Kiem's "Conservatory Coffin." Ray is a Disney fan and this coffin is modeled after the one in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Push a lever on the back and the lid rises as if the ghost inside wants out. This and many other creepy paper models are available at Ray's Haunted Dimensions Website.

Other Spooky Paper Automata:

Haunted Carousel
Steve vs Creeper
Grinning Skull
Evil Cartoon Animals

Paper Elephant Automaton

This elephant automaton from Honda is a lot of fun! Squeeze its stomach and it's mouth opens wide and the two cymbals crash together. What's more, it is an easy build at only 14 pieces. The printable PDF template for the elephant may be downloaded from the Honda Website. This papercraft is highly suitable for children! Photo instructions can be found at the bottom of Honda's download page.

Other Paper Automata:

Minecraft Steve vs Creeper
Walking MechWarrior 
Haunted Carousel

Papercraft Dog Automaton

It's a papercrafter's worst nightmare: coming home to find the family pet has eaten your entire paper model collection! This paper automata depicting such a scene was created by Matt Bergstrom at Wurlington Press. The title of this piece is "Max's Snack Attack". Matt created the work to commemorate the 2015 International Paper Modelers Convention in Sterling, Virginia. A PDF template for the model may be downloaded here.

Previous Paper Automata:

Flailing Robot
Evil Cartoon Animals
Boxtroll
Da Vinci Cam Hammer
Minecraft Creeper Attack

Papercraft Boxtrolls Automaton

This papercraft automaton was inspired by the 2014 stop-motion animated movie, The Boxtrolls. When put in motion, the troll beats his hands upon his chest. As an added feature, the troll's legs may be rotated forward so he can sit down. This model is a free sample from Griscatrina, a company that specializes in paper automata. To download the printable PDF for the troll go here and click on the words "Get free" in the last sentence in the paragraph.

Previous Paper Automata:
Walking MechWarrior
Antique Toy Circus
Halloween Skull
Dancing Baby Groot
Minecraft Steve vs Creeper

Haunted Carousel Papercaft

Ravensblight is the undisputed king of Halloween papercraft. One example of the creations to be found at the website is this haunted Merry-Go-Round which actually spins. Also to be found on the site are enough paper models of haunted houses to create a Halloween village!

Other Papercraft Carousels:
German Christmas Carrousel
Antique Circus Merry-Go-Round

Da Vinci Cam Hammer Paper Model

I have always enjoyed functioning models of Leonardo da Vinci inventions. Pictured is a papercraft version of da Vinci's "cam hammer", a labor saving machine for hammering metal. Steam powered machines like this were used hundreds of years after Leonardo's death during the Industrial Revolution. This paper model is the work of my papercrafter friend Giuseppe Civitarese and may be downloaded for free at his website, Paper Pino.

Other da Vinci Papercraft:

Ornithopter (flying machine)
Turtle Tank
BBC Leonardo Foldees

Papercraft Ferris Wheel

Elaine Wolfe, the designer of this papercraft Ferris wheel, built the wheel to give as a gift. There is lots to like about the project. First, the wheel actually spins! Second, the base is a box in which a present can be hidden. From experience, Elaine says the wheel takes about 4 hours to make: one hour of cutting and about three hours of gluing. A PDF of the template for the Ferris wheel may be downloaded here.

Minecraft Paper Automaton

You can always count on Kamibox for creative paper automata! One of his newest creations is this Minecraft "Machine". Depicted in the automaton is Minecraft's Steve being intimidated by a creeper. In the video game, creepers are those unrelenting hostile mobs that explode if you let them get too near. Template downloads of this and the rest of Kamibox's papercraft are available here.

Dancing Baby Groot Papercraft

At the end of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy movie, a re-sprouting baby Groot is seen dancing when no one is looking. Designer Richenna King recreates the memorable scene with this baby Groot papercraft. As if the papercraft wasn't cool enough in and of itself, it is also an automaton that actually dances! A PDF template, instructions, and a movie of the model in action may be found on King's Behance page. In the Marvel Comics universe, Groot is a member of a plant-based extraterrestrial race. One characteristic of the race is the ability to re-grow after being destroyed (as long as at least one sprig of their former body is recovered).

Circus Papercraft

The Sweet Paul Magazine website offers a free collection of circus papercraft. The templates in the collection are unique in that they are scans of hand-painted watercolors rather than the digitally produced images one usually sees. Included in the collection are the circus wagon pictured, as well as mini clown masks, playful monkey "drink buddies", and Rosamunda, a dancing elephant automaton. The entire set may be downloaded as a single zip file here.

German Christmas Carousel Paper Model

For Christmas 2013, Kallboys has released a papercraft merry-go-round that actually spins! In the early twentieth century such carrousels were a tradition in outdoor Christmas markets in Germany. The PDF template for the merry-go-round may be downloaded here. For a paper model of an entire German Christmas market (complete with carrousel) see my previous post here on Kallboys' 2011 Christmas papercraft.

Paper Automaton Skull

Just in time for Halloween, Patrick Pasques at A L'ombre du Pommier has released a paper automata skull. A simple three piece template makes for an easy build. After pressing the skull down to make it grin and reveal its eyes, the "spring loaded" design allows the skull to pop back up. Download the fun here.

Paper Automaton Robot

Rob Ives of the Flying Pig website is a master at creating paper automata. Automata are models that use specially designed paper mechanisms to cause movement. Most of Rob's automata are for sale, but this robot is one of his creations that is available for free! Pull the robot's head and his arms move up and down. The PDF template and instructions for the robot are available at Instructables.

Evil Cartoon Animal Automata

These cantankerous automata critters were created by Juan Diego Sanin. Turn the cranks on their backs and their arms wave and the stars on their chests rotate. From left to right we have Gato Satanico (Satanic Cat), Oso Maloso (Bad Bear), and Conejo Malgenio (Cranky Rabbit). Templates for the automata may be downloaded here.

Other Paper Automata:
Haunted Carousel
Minecraft Creeper Attack
Dancing Baby Groot
Walking Mech Warrior

Antique Toy Circus Papercraft

The Victoria & Albert Museums of England are offering an antique toy circus papercraft on their website. The original template for the circus was created by a French company around 1930. The best part of this papercraft is that it is an automaton of sorts. Twirl the flag on top and the performers spin around like a merry-go-round. In addition to the usual cardstock, a piece of cork and a barbecue skewer are also required to build the circus. The template for this papercraft may be found here.

Walking MechWarrior Automaton

Here is one of the best paper automatons I have come across in ages. Creator Jonathan Hodgins, claims this is his first attempt at paper automation, but he has done an expert job! The model is specifically the Madcat - Timberwolf type battle mech from the MechWarrior video game series. The PDF template for the automaton, along with photo instructions, may be downloaded here.  If you are in the mood to customize, included in the download is a color-it-yourself blank template.