Puzzle Cube Project
Problem Statement:
Wood scraps are wasted by throwing them away. This costs extra to haul them away, and eats up profit for the company.
Design Criteria / Constraints:
1. The puzzle must be fabricated from 27 – ¾” hardwood cubes.
2. The puzzle system must contain exactly five puzzle pieces.
3. Each individual puzzle piece must consist of at least four, but no more than six hardwood cubes that are permanently attached to each other.
4. Each piece should have at least two blocks in each direction.
5. No two puzzle pieces can be the same.
6. The five puzzle pieces must assemble to form a 2 ¼” cube.
7. Some puzzle parts should interlock.
2. The puzzle system must contain exactly five puzzle pieces.
3. Each individual puzzle piece must consist of at least four, but no more than six hardwood cubes that are permanently attached to each other.
4. Each piece should have at least two blocks in each direction.
5. No two puzzle pieces can be the same.
6. The five puzzle pieces must assemble to form a 2 ¼” cube.
7. Some puzzle parts should interlock.
Brainstorming:
The first thing I had to do for Brainstorming was to design random blocks that could be made from the wooden cubes. I had to come up with as many possibilities as possible. I tried to focus on creating as many 3D pieces as possible since I couldn't use flat pieces any way. I then combined them together to create three possible puzzles. I ran the results by the rest of the people at my table, and I decided on one puzzle to create. It was the most difficult version that I created.
Final Design Working Drawings
These are the working drawings that I created for the final puzzle design. These are a digital prototype that I created using Autodesk Inventor 3d modeling software. I was able to create these working drawings so that I could confirm that my design would work with the pieces that I created. The design drawings that I made include dimensioned multiview drawings of each piece, an exploded view of the puzzle to show how it fits together, and an assembled view with a parts list.
Completed Prototype
Here s the completed prototype for my puzzle cube. It is designed to be challenging and use up excess materials from the manufacturing process of wooden furniture. Now the company will not have to spend their profits to have the waste removed from the facility. It has bright colors so it is attractive and will hopefully sell well on the showroom floor.
Image courtesy of http://kidsworld.kaltsum.com/wooden-puzzle-cube-12463062/
Image courtesy of http://kidsworld.kaltsum.com/wooden-puzzle-cube-12463062/
Reflection:
In this project I learned how to use the design process to take a basic concept or idea, and turn it in to a usable product. When presented with a problem, I was able to brainstorm possible solutions that would meet the needs of the customer. I could then take the ideas I came up with and narrow them down to a final solution that met all the requirements to solve the problem. After I came up with the final idea, I had to create a workable digital solution that would show what my idea was. It had to include measurements so that the product could be manufactured, and the measurements had to be in the correct locations so that the drawings would not be confusing. When my drawings were approved, I could then create a physical prototype that could be handled and see if it would really work.
I think that if I could change anything, I would come up with different versions of the puzzle for different difficulties. I think this would make it more marketable. I could create different versions in the puzzle design phase and have other students test out the ideas to see what levels of difficulty I had. I think this would be a good option for customers to choose from.
I think that if I could change anything, I would come up with different versions of the puzzle for different difficulties. I think this would make it more marketable. I could create different versions in the puzzle design phase and have other students test out the ideas to see what levels of difficulty I had. I think this would be a good option for customers to choose from.