Puzzle X

thingiverse

The Enigmatic Puzzle X: Unravel the Ring's Mystery! Your mission is clear: remove the ring from its puzzle prison! This clever puzzle may seem deceptively simple at first glance, but it showcases the amazing capabilities of 3D printers in a remarkable way. To create this puzzle, internal geometry plays a crucial role in holding captive parts in place during printing. These parts are designed to snap free after the print is complete, allowing them to move freely and adding an extra layer of challenge to the puzzle. If you don't have access to a 3D printer but still want to experience Puzzle X for yourself, you can purchase one from my online store at [my shop](https://brentwerder.design/product/puzzle-x/). To print your own Puzzle X, you will need the following STL files: 2 x Puzzle_X_body (V8).stl 1 x Puzzle_X_ring (V8).stl Assembling the puzzle requires a bit of finesse. Here's how to do it: 1. Use a pair of pliers or another tool to twist the diamond-shaped pins until they can move freely within their holes. Depending on your print quality, you may need to file down the bottom of the pin to achieve this. I've had success with various printers (UMO+, i3MK2s MMU, Polar3D, Printrbot), but your mileage may vary. 2. Insert both sets of pins into their respective holes and align the "body" parts with their centers in the middle. Slide the ring around both parts, then twist one "body" until it fits snugly inside the cavity of the other "body." If the pins get in the way during assembly, simply spin the puzzle until they unlock. The two "body" parts should sit flush with each other, with the ring encircling them as shown in the photo above. 3. Share your Puzzle X with an unsuspecting friend who hasn't encountered this type of puzzle before, and watch as they struggle to remove the ring – it's a great way to have fun! To add an extra layer of creativity to your Puzzle X, feel free to mix and match colors and materials to create unique effects. You can also use the provided Inventor files (PuzzleX (V8).ipt) to design custom patterns on the sides of the puzzle. For instructions on how to do so, visit my blog at [my blog](https://brentwerder.design/2019/04/29/puzzle-x/). Thanks for stopping by, and happy printing!