Bolts Loop

This CAD model was designed by Oskar van Deventer, copyright (c), 29 March 2025.

Bolts Loop is puzzle with six bolts with a holed cube on top. The goal of the puzzle is to insert the bolts fully into the holes in a loop. The movement to solve corresponds with the moves of the Astrolabacus puzzle, based on the Bricard’s orthogonal 6R linkage. Daniel Huczala and Henry Segerman provided some coaching to get the smooth zigzag curves on the bolts correct. The exact shape of that curve is still an open question. It is pointier that a sine-curve-rolled-onto-a-cylinder, but I know only a few points on that curve, which I splined into a smooth curve.

Here are some links about this design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHqqXBqckjs
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4333424125/bolts-loop-a-puzzle-with-seriously
https://i.materialise.com/en/shop/item/bolts-loop
https://i.materialise.com/en/shop/item/bolts-loop
https://twistypuzzles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40305

Feel free to 3D-print an extra sample to give to a friend, as long as you mention the designer and don't charge money.

If you are planning to sell some samples, then please contact me for a license agreement. The royalty fee is 10% of your selling price.

Please do not upload the design to a commercial service, or redistribute the design in any way other than linking to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHqqXBqckjs

Enjoy!

Oskar
13 July 2025

Contact: 
https://oskarvandeventer.nl/index_contact.php?subject=Print%20It%20Yourself