4x4 Puzzle cube

thingiverse

I designed a 4x4 puzzle cube for the MakerEd Challenge using 8 puzzle pieces created in Tinkercad. You and your class can use this model as a reference point for your own designs. The idea behind this project is to encourage others and students to design their own puzzles to give to each other and try to solve. Objective: This project aims to inspire students to design their own unique puzzles, giving them an opportunity to challenge their peers and learn from one another. Print Settings: * Printer Brand: MakerBot * Printer Model: MakerBot Replicator (5th Generation) * Rafts: Yes * Supports: Doesn't Matter * Resolution: 0.15mm * Infill: 15% How I Designed This Step 1 - Gathering Materials Make sure you have the necessary supplies, including a pencil and graph paper, as well as access to a computer that can run Tinkercad. A pencil Graph paper Tinkercad - https://www.tinkercad.com/ Step 2 - Designing Your Cube Draw a cube on your graph paper, assuming it is 4 squares per inch. Each square should be 0.5 inches. After drawing the cube, we will begin making it a puzzle in the next step. Step 3 - Breaking Down Your Cube Once you have drawn your cube, understand that a 4x4 cube has 64 squares in total. The rule for this puzzle is that each piece must fit into a set of rules. Rules: * Each puzzle may only have 8 pieces * Each piece may only have 8 .5'' cubes making up the part * No two pieces should be the same With these rules in mind, begin making 8 unique pieces on your paper that will assemble into your 4x4 cube. The ones shown here were drawn but can be made easily in most design software. Part one Part two Part three Part four Part five Part six Part seven Part eight Step 4 - Modeling After drawing out your puzzle pieces to scale, open up your modeling software (I'll be using Tinkercad for simplicity and accessibility) and begin modeling each puzzle piece you drew. piece one piece two piece three piece four piece five piece six piece seven piece eight Step 5 - Prepare for Printing After all your pieces are built, lay them out on your bed and position them so they use minimal support. Depending on how your prints normally adhere, it's up to you whether or not you use rafts. Bed layout Step 6 - Assembly Once your puzzle is done printing, remove any rafts and support material if necessary. Put your pieces in a bag with your name on it so no one else's puzzle pieces get mixed up. After assembling your own puzzle, pass them around the class and see who's is the hardest to solve! Assembled Puzzle Puzzle Pieces Custom Section Objectives: In participating in this project, students should learn how to draw, design, and print a unique puzzle. Audiences: This project is suitable for 7th and 8th-grade students, making it a great challenge for them. Preparation: Prior to attempting this project, students should have access to a 3D printer, computer, and pencil and paper. Steps: All steps are shown above. Results: By the end of this project, students should have learned how to redesign a cube into a puzzle themselves and peers can attempt to solve.