3D printing turns Rubik’s Cube into a sphere
A successor to the popular 1970's Rubik's Cube has been produced using additive manufacturing. The Marusenko Sphere is a 3D logic puzzle that is only able to be made using the 3D printing technology.
The sphere is printed in a single process that can take into account its 32 exterior pieces and 22 internal elements. It used plastic powder in an EOS FORMIGA P 100 additive manufacturing machine direct from CAD, and avoided the need for adhesives, springs, screws or shafts.
Many stages of adjustments to geometry and tolerance were made and multiple trial and error tests were performed to refine the toy's mechanics.
Victor Troyas, general manager at Marusenko SL based in Peralta, Northern Spain, commented, "Additive manufacturing with EOS' FORMIGA P 100 and PA 2200 material was the only way to create the product successfully. Without it, we would have found it impossible to build.
"Our toy is designed around free movement in predetermined directions. The design initially seemed to be quite challenging, but once we had fully discovered the possibilities of rapid prototyping, we knew that we could make our vision a reality."
The puzzle is solved using nine different types of movements – two meridional and perpendicular to each other, one equatorial and six polar.
Author
Justin Cunningham
This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the
sales team.