Rubik5 (Professor) Cube Solver Robot

thingiverse

Initially, I developed a program that could read and solve the Professor version (5x5x5) Rubik's cube. Subsequently, I decided to create a robot to handle both reading and moving tasks. The first prototype was constructed from plywood but faced defect issues, so I acquired a Makerbot to redesign and print components. It's an ongoing project with the plywood parts waiting for ABS replacements. The electronics system is based on an Arduino that interacts with an external PC running the solver software and controls 12 servos manipulating the cube. MachineEnsemble.scad showcases how internal cages work together and relies on other printable files. Due to size constraints, some components like Cage and IntTransmission are divided into smaller pieces such as 'CageTop', 'OnePiece', and 'CageBottom'. A custom-designed thread was created for easier printing. The outer plywood shell (780x780x780) and internal cage holders, mostly made of wood with printed ABS bearings and holders, are not included in the design. After facing a printing issue that caused fried motherboard and extruder controller, I tweaked parameters to reduce corner curling upwards, achieving best results at 20% infill and 135 platform temperature while maintaining default values for other parameters. Removing Kapton belt from ABP also improved reliability.