'Net' or 'Development' of a basic cube

Basic cubes form the basis of many packaging designs.

There are lots of packaging designs in the DT Online Packaging application - including many cube and cuboid type packages].

The DT Online Packaging enables users to alter box sizes and material thickness to create nets for packaging of various proportions.

• Cubes have 6 faces so 6 squares are linked together to create the ‘Net’
• There are 11 different ways of doing this - can you think of them all?
• Try drawing round a square shape or template to discover as many as you can.
• Alternatively, use graph paper or squared paper to create your 'nets'. (see ‘Geometric relations’)

• Find some empty packaging and take it apart to see the real examples of ‘nets’ or ‘developments’ used to make them.
• Notice how and where they are joined so they hold together.
• The completed ‘Development’ would need to have glue tabs, added or some form of interlocking design, if the cube is to be made up into a real box.
• Dotted lines can also be used to show where to fold.

Note:

• Can you see where tabs would need to be added to each of the 11 different ways of making a cube?
• How would you design a ‘net’ for a box that is longer than it is wide?
• Can you draw a development to produce a tetrahedron?
• How would you change your development to make the cube from 3mm thick acrylic instead of thin card?

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Safety Point! Use a Cutting Mat and a metal Safety Ruler when using a knife to cut card

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