This is a Rubik's cube the is shape-oriented rather than color oriented for solving in the dark or for those who are without sight. It is inspired of the now unavailable "Blind Man's Cube" that was made years ago by Politechinka. See: http://www.twistypuzzles.com/cgi-bin/puzzle.cgi?pid=63&allprices=1
This cube brings a unique characteristic to solving a Rubik's cube that no other cube does... the ability to say "I solved it without even looking at it once."
Rather than building hand-eye coordination, it builds hand-mind coordination.
I find that solving this cube is a challenge above and beyond a normal rubik's cube. It takes me significantly longer to solve than a normal cube. But as a result my speedcubing times on regular cubes have dropped exponentially. Because it uses areas of my brain a normal cube do not (memory/perspective... seeing it in touch and shapes rather than eyesight and color).
It is also a bit heavier than a normal rubik's cube... helping me build muscle/speed for my speedcubing (speedcube is where you try to solve it as fast as possible.)
This cube brings a unique characteristic to solving a Rubik's cube that no other cube does... the ability to say "I solved it without even looking at it once."
Rather than building hand-eye coordination, it builds hand-mind coordination.
I find that solving this cube is a challenge above and beyond a normal rubik's cube. It takes me significantly longer to solve than a normal cube. But as a result my speedcubing times on regular cubes have dropped exponentially. Because it uses areas of my brain a normal cube do not (memory/perspective... seeing it in touch and shapes rather than eyesight and color).
It is also a bit heavier than a normal rubik's cube... helping me build muscle/speed for my speedcubing (speedcube is where you try to solve it as fast as possible.)
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Signing UpStep 1: What you need
To make this cube you will need the following:
-A Rubiks's Cube (authentic or fake)
-54 Uniquely Shaped Metal or Plastic Tabs (more on this in how-to)
-A Razor Blade of your choice (careful!)
-2 Part Epoxy for use with plastic/metals
-Toothpicks or like for mixing/applying epoxy
-Duct Tape
-Isopropyl Alcohol
-Paper Towel(s)
-A Rubiks's Cube (authentic or fake)
-54 Uniquely Shaped Metal or Plastic Tabs (more on this in how-to)
-A Razor Blade of your choice (careful!)
-2 Part Epoxy for use with plastic/metals
-Toothpicks or like for mixing/applying epoxy
-Duct Tape
-Isopropyl Alcohol
-Paper Towel(s)
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I'm using this personally, as I don't want to take the extra time to truly clean the faces, and I'm finding it works fine and does a decent job.
Something I don't know is whether it is possible to manipulate a cube such that a given center (or combination of centers) can be rotated relative to the edges and corners, while ending up with the same solid-color faces. This is your second point; it may in fact be impossible given the engineering of the joints.
As for the number of solved states, we can do the math here. The corners provide a reference frame -- because each one has three unique colors,
their positions relative to one another are fixed, so therefore there is only 1 solved state for them. With the corners fixed, each edge in turn can have only one position and orientation, and therefore there is also a single solved state.
That leaves only the four internal degrees of freedom for the six centers; the total number of such states would be 46 = 212 = 4,096.
Again, I don't know whether those states are reachable. If they are, then your discussion above about the meaning of "solved" is on point. If not, then the solution state is unique for any cube which is not disassembled and reassembled.
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-solve-a-Rubiks-Cube-for-the-first-time/
Majorson.
Bravo! Looks particularly good on your counter top. hehe
I don't mean real ones that articulate ! - But miniature ones, perhaps 1.5" in width, with the actual colours on them, and edible. That would be a challenge to a chocolatier. Abother idea, and simpler, might be to make DICE from white chocolate, with the dots on them.