Puzzle Cube Project
Define Problem
Generate concepts
TO GET THESE MEASUREMENTS, I USED A DIAL CALIPER TO MEASURE THE FACE OF EACH OF THE 27 CUBES. I DID THIS TO GET AN APPROXIMATE UNDERSTANDING OF THE EXTRUSION MEASUREMENTS IN THE 3D MODEL OF MY CUBE. THE RANGE OF THIS DATA SET IS, 0.039, THIS MEANS THAT THE MAX FACE MEASUREMENT (0.7481) OUT OF THE 27 CUBES IS ONLY 0.039 GREATER THAN THE MINIMUM FACE MEASUREMENT (0.7091).
THESE ARE 20 ISOMETRIC BRAINSTORMING SKETCHES. THESE SKETCHES WERE MADE SO THAT I COULD BEGIN TO COMPREHEND HOW TO CREATE A PROTOTPE , AND BEGIN THINKING OF DIFFERENT PEICES THAT WOULD GO TOGETHER.
THESE ARE THE PEICES SELECTED FOR THE BUILD OF THE PUZZLE CUBE.
Develop A Solution
Construct and Test Prototype
THE CONSTRAINTS I USED TO CONTRAIN THE PARTS INTO A FULLY ASSEMBLED CUBE ARE, MATE, AND FLUSH. THE MATE CONTRAINT ALLOW THE USER TO 'GLUE' OR MATE TWO FACES TOGETHER. THE FLUSH OPTION CREATES THE TWO SELECTED PARTS LINED UP WITH EACH OTHER. MATE REMOVES THE DEGREE OF FREEDOM THAT ALLOWS THE PART TO MOVE FREELY OR NOT BE CONNECTED TO THE REST OF THE CUBE. FLUSH REMOVES THE DEGREE OF FREEDOM WHERE THE PART IS ENABLED TO MOVE LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM, IN CONTRAST WITH THE REST OF THE CUBE.
Click the link below to watch a video of the puzzle cube parts assemble.
Evaluate the solution
My statistics infer that, the younger the puzzle cube solver, the longer it takes for them to solve the puzzle. In the stats, the younger ages, 17, 15 and 18, seem to have longer times than the two older puzzle solvers. A possibility to the reasoning of this, is that, the human brain is not fully developed at these younger ages. So, perhaps it takes longer for a younger person to solve the cube rather than an older, more experienced adult. I would not change anything in regards to the design of my cube. The puzzle is not too difficult, but not easy either. The design is logical and practical. The cube comes together well, and is enjoyable to solve.
Present the Solution
My overall experience with this project was positive, despite all the homework. It was fun to get creative with the brainstorming sketches and to see my creation come to life in a 3D model. Using the software, Inventor, was a bit challenging at times but nothing that couldn’t be solved. When someone says "I used a design process to solve the problem at hand" it means that they solved a task using guidelines of the design process. They, defined a problem, generate concepts or ideas, developed a solution believed to solve the problem, constructed and tested a prototype, then lastly evaluated their solution. When someone does this, they analyze the task and identify the problem. Then begin coming up with ideas or ways this problem could be solved. Next, a decision is made as to if these possibilities are practical and logical, then proceed to create a possible solution to test its ability to resolve the problem. If the prototype is successful then the project is presented, if not then the prototype is then evaluated as to what needs to be modified for final presentation. This project was interesting, considering I had to rush and catch up. But, with hard work and determination, anything is possible! I enjoyed creating my puzzle cube and look forward to the next task at hand.