Programmable Reprogrammable Cryptex

thingiverse

A customisable cryptex that can be programmed with any password you desire, utilising both letters and numbers. Detailed instructions are provided in the instructions.txt file. Tolerances on the parts have been set fairly loose, allowing for a relatively straightforward assembly process, but the "click" mechanism intended to keep the rings aligned may prove somewhat weak or mushy depending on luck. This is an area I am actively working to improve. This cryptex features 8 rings, each capable of displaying 36 characters. Calculations reveal that this equates to over 2.8211099 x10^12 possible combinations, or approximately 2,821,099,000,000, which translates to over 2.8 trillion (thousand billion, or million million) permutations. At a rate of one combination per second, it would take in excess of 89,395 years to attempt every possible combination, rendering this device extremely secure unless the user simply chooses to crack it open. Optimal results for the letter parts are achieved with high-resolution printing (approximately 0.1mm layers), which helps produce clear characters. Lower resolution settings (0.2mm+ layers) can be used for the remaining components. The finished product appears more impressive in person, as black PLA plastic is notoriously difficult to photograph effectively. Please note that this project requires a substantial number of parts and will involve a considerable printing time; however, the end result is truly remarkable. In fact, I designed this cryptex several years ago, and I am surprised it has taken me so long to share it with you. I hope you find it fascinating!