Unhinged Cube

This CAD model was designed by Oskar van Deventer, copyright (c) 12 May 2024.

Unhinged Cube was inspired by the 360-degrees hinge by EnginEli on Thingiverse (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4678800). Peter Knoppers suggested that it should be turned in a puzzle. The results is a necklace with 24 hinges that link 24 rounded cubic pieces. The goal is to fold the hinged necklace such that its fits into a 3x3x3 box. The puzzle is more difficult than it looks, as one cannot simply start "at one end" as with a snake puzzle. Moreover the box will have three empty cubies, and the solver needs to figure out where these empty cubies go. The necklace can also be folded into a 12x2x1 block and a 6x2x2 block. It is not known what other nice shapes it can be folded into. Is a 4x3x2 block possible?

Here are some links about this design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpUDHrBqlgE
https://i.materialise.com/en/shop/item/unhinged-cube
https://www.shapeways.com/product/K24TK55B8/unhinged-cube
https://i.materialise.com/forum/t/unhinged-cube-by-oskar/3760
https://twistypuzzles.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39667

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=QpUDHrBqlgE

Enjoy!

Oskar
14 August 2024

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


