This is an example of something that was done for a three-dimensional design class in college.  The initial shape was cut by hand and many years later after getting laser cutter access, the process was automated by writing a program to assist and create the individual pieces that are glued together.

They can, in some cases, resemble a sea shell, hence the name.  You  decide how big around it is and how many radial sectors.  You can say, "Go from this wide to narrow (or vice-versa) as you go around and short to tall (or vice-versa)."  You can go low to high, high to low, or low to high to low.  The pieces can sweep smoothly up or down or each piece can be more like a staircase.  You can decide what shape, if any to cutout on the outside panels or inlay a very elaborate design and the laser cutter will do it.

When figuring out how big to make the radial sectors, you also need to know the thickness of the paper and the program will use this to make the pieces fit perfectly.

I have better picture available but I can't remember where.  So, this is the best for now, come back another day and there will be more (and better quality)