Spinning the Cube

cults3d

Spinning a Cube What happens when a cube spins around one of its long diagonals? With 3D design, we can explore the space of a spinning cube in multiple ways. The entire object is tricky to print without support or, at least, a raft, but it can be sliced into two or three pieces for easy printing, resulting in a surprisingly beautiful outcome. Among the files are: (1) a 50mm cube with three axes of rotation and (2) two versions of a spinning cube: a 24-iteration one and a 60-iteration one, both based on a 50mm cube. Multiple choices are included for 3D printing. A corresponding stand is also provided for display. Note The design and related discussions are part of an article in press for publication in the Mathematics Teacher Journal by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.