Puzzle Cube Project!
Ms. Ziglejeva 2/20/14
Define a Problem
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
Generate Concepts
The document below shows a detailed histogram that displays the height of each cube and has calculated the standard of deviation. This was used to make sure that most cubes were the same size and shape so that when the individual cubes were glued together, they would come together seamlessly.
The image below displays 20 different combinations of cubes that vary in size (from 4-6 cubes). I then had to figure out what set of cubes could be connected to form a 3x3 larger cube:
The slideshow below displays the pieces of my puzzle cube modeled in inventor:
Develop a Solution
This is my finished cube that shows all three layers and how the cube connects.
The image below shows the technical drawings of my cube. It displays each individual part and how they each connect to each other.
The Pages below show the sketched, multi-view drawings of my 5 puzzle parts
Construct and Test Prototype
The image below displays my fully assembled cube file from the program, Inventor. I constrained each puzzle part so that all degrees of freedom were eliminated by "mating" and "flushing" each part to another
Evaluate Solution
In the graph below, I compiled statistics on how long it look to solve my puzzle cube by using 6 different people who each solved the cube a total of 3 times.
Present Solution
I started this puzzle cube project with a problem that I needed to solve. The problem was to find a way to counter-act the loss of profit created from leftover 3/4" hardwood cubes that were not being used. The solution to this problem was to help return value to the leftover product by using it as the raw material for desktop novelty items that can be sold. So I knew I had to design, build, test, document and present a 3D puzzle system that was made from scrap hardwood cubes. I then started generating concepts by brainstorming cube combinations that would work as a puzzle. I made 20 different sketches of cube designs and from there picked 5 parts that could fit together to make a larger 3x3 puzzle cube. I then made technical drawings of my puzzle parts and full cube to develop a solution. This is when I first started using the program Inventor. I had to create each part and its multi-view using the program, and then upload it to my weebly website. At first I was very over whelmed with the software, but through trial and a lot of error I slowly got the hang of it. I needed to model my idea on Inventor before construction because I needed to make sure it worked before actually constructing a prototype. That way if I did make an error I could fix it before I wasted resources and a lot of time. My next step was to construct and test prototype. In this step of the design process I had to glue my 27 3/4" hardwood cubes together to form my 5 pieces. After the wood glue had dried, I then painted the parts and tested it to make sure all parts fit to make a complete puzzle cube that worked. I then had to evaluate the solution and decide whether it worked and solved the problem at hand, and if there were any possible changes I could make to better my puzzle cube. I decided that I could improve the design by making more of my cube parts complex. On a scale of 1-10, the difficulty of my puzzle is a 3 or 4...so altering my puzzle parts to make the puzzle more challenging would increase the overall difficulty. I then had to present my solution. I did this by creating a puzzle cube project page on my weebly website. I added pictures and other graphics to enhance the appearance. I even added a video showing each part (with no degrees of freedom) being assembled into the larger cube. In order for each part to have no degrees of freedom, I had to mate and flush two parts until they couldn't move. "Mating" attaches 2 cube faces together to make them come together. "Flushing" attaches 2 outer edges together (like the top face of 2 cubes). So in the end I solved the problem at hand by using the design process. This means I came up with a step by step guide to come up with, design, build and eventually solve a problem I was faced with. So I was given the problem of finding a way for Donoway Furniture Inc. to make money from scrap pieces of wood, and through the design process I was able to come up with a solution to the problem.