Reconfigurable Puzzle Box / Christmas Ornament 3D Printer Model

Author: @
License: CC BY-NC
File formats: stl
Download type: zip
Size:196.8KB

The file 'Reconfigurable Puzzle Box / Christmas Ornament 3D Printer Model' is (stl) file type, size is 196.8KB.

Summary

This is a puzzle box based on Kagen Sound's (https://kagensound.com/) Rune Box and Derek Bosch's Rhombic Maze Burr. I combined what I think are the best elements of both to make a reconfigurable puzzle box. By swapping out the center 3x3 maze tile, one can change the number of moves required to open the box. There are hundreds of combinations ranging from trivial to impossible using the tiles provided. For gift giving purposes, this means that you can set the difficulty level appropriate for the puzzle-solving aptitude of the recipient (or how much you dislike them). The box is easily reconfigurable providing multiple puzzles in one. Depicted are three configurations ranging from 17 moves (easy), 27 moves (moderate), and 71 moves (difficult) to start you off.

The size and form factor suggested a snow ball to me, so it seemed only natural to mount the box on a Christmas tree so that it can appropriately taunt those that can't figure out how to solve it to see what's inside. Gifts must fit inside a 36x36mm hole although interior dimensions are larger. Exterior dimensions are 66x66x66mm.

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlFUuPrkLxo for the assembly using the following steps:
1) Print the following pieces and gather non printed parts:

6 x outerface (the "Merry Christmas" face is optional and requires multi-extrusion)
6 x innerface
6 x slider
6 x slider2
6 x nut trap
minimum 6 x tile pieces (which can also be mirrored to produce more options) - I also uploaded a tile in Openscad to enable users to more easily develop new ones.

6 x M3 nut
6 x M3x10 bolt
string/cord/ribbon

2) Assemble the frame:
The six innerface pieces snap together to make a cube with slots that run orthogonal to those on adjacent faces.

3) Assemble the sides:
-Slide slider into slider2 for each of the six faces. If linear advance is not dialed in on your printer or there is some elephant footing, sanding the faces and edges and trimming the dovetail corners may be necessary to ensure a snug but smooth fit.
-CA the nut trap piece into the back of slider2.
-CA an M3 nut into the back of the nut trap being careful to not let glue enter the threads.
-Slide the outerface piece onto slider

4) Mount the sides:
The sides slide into the slots on the inner cube face. Since the maze tile and bolt are not yet installed, the outface can slide freely up/down and left/right to enable assembly. Once all six sides are installed, ensure that they are centered on each face with alternating overlaps.

5) Install the maze tiles:
Select or invent a pattern of tiles. One of the six tiles used must be one of the exit pieces to make the box solvable. I also recommend running the central slot parallel to the short side of the outer face to avoid overly trivial configurations. Tiles are held in place by M3x10 bolts that screw into the nuts installed on step 3. Do not over-tighten as the faces must slide freely. The bolts enable one to change out the maze tiles and also to avoid having to solve the box in reverse to reset it after it's been successfully opened.

6) Open the box, reconfigure, repeat.

On a side note, if anyone feels so inclined to tip me for my design work, please instead donate to the ACLU, Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood, or any charity endorsed by GiveWell. Thanks in advance.

innerfacev3-rbsmall.stl 262.6KB
merrychristmas.stl 551.9KB
nuttrap-runebox.stl 85.8KB
outerface-rbsmallxmas.stl 694.2KB
outerfacev2-rbsmall.stl 35.9KB
slider2-rbsmall.stl 58.7KB
sliderv3-rbsmall.stl 10.0KB
tile-e.stl 77.9KB
tile-exit.stl 78.7KB
tile-exit2.stl 78.6KB
tile-exit3.stl 82.5KB
tile-exit4.stl 81.3KB
tile-hook.stl 74.6KB
tile-J.stl 82.0KB
tile-zigzag.stl 78.5KB