Baffling Puzzle Ball

myminifactory

It's two mind-bending challenges, a race game, a ball, and a safe all in one incredible puzzle. First, see who can assemble it in record time. Then once built, see if your friends can take it apart. It's almost impossible when you don't know the secret. Unlike most interlocking ball puzzles, this one uses a completely new, unique, and unpublished method to make it work. There is no single key piece. Made of 6 identical interlocking pieces, once assembled, the ball expands or contracts as the 6 interlocking pieces are pulled apart or pushed together. Most puzzlers will quickly see how the pieces fit together to form the ball. The challenge is in the physical dexterity required to orient, position and coordinate all six pieces precisely enough to slide together. Once mastered, it's fun to see who can assemble the ball the fastest. Challenge your friends and family to see who is the quickest. There are (at least) two different solutions for quickly assembling the puzzle. Once built, it becomes a magic ball with a secret compartment inside that can only be opened by the owner. This moderately difficult puzzle ball is guaranteed to challenge both your physical dexterity and puzzle-solving logic. Children today are losing motor skills from spending too much time on computers and not enough time engaging in a variety of physical activities. Here's a toy for kids to play with, improve their dexterity, and exercise their brains while having fun. Take this toy with you for hours of entertainment without electricity or the internet. Also very good for rehabilitation and regaining lost motor skills. Fast and easy to print; NO SUPPORT; NO WASTE. Scalable. Prints in about 1 ½ hours on most printers. Instructions Print 6 copies of the provided file. Choose a variety of colors to create your own unique look. It's scalable, but I recommend using the supplied scaling to start. Use 0.2 mm layer with 25% infill. Material cost is about $1. For a more difficult puzzle (tighter), scale the Z dimension up a few percent; for an easier puzzle (looser fit), scale the Z dimension down a few percent. I've posted the solution on my YouTube channel. Please don't look unless you've given up and are totally stuck. For a hint, see my 3 piece hexagon puzzle; it uses the same secret but in a simpler 2 dimensional way.