Introduction: Sigma-shaped Puzzle

By
About: I love all DIY projects, especially circuits and mechatronics. I do 3D designing with Autodesk Fusion 360, and I print it with my ender 3.

Do you like puzzles ? In french, we call them "casse-tête", which is litteraly "brain-breaker". A puzzle is indeed far more fun if you "break your brain" to solve it... Personnaly, I find thinking about intricate puzzles so interesting, so as soon as I saw this contest, I wanted to take part.

Supplies

For making this puzzle, you will need :

  • Autodesk Fusion 360 (it can be downloaded for free with limited functionnalities here)
  • A 3D printer
  • Filament for 3D printing
  • A 3D printing software (e.g. Ultimaker Cura)
  • Paint (if you want to embellish the puzzle)
  • Cutter/knife, for "cleaning" parts after printing

Step 1: Inspiring

For a puzzle, something very important is the shape, so that it is attractive : what could be stylish when organised in sphere ? (I would indeed like to make a spherical puzzle)

I looked for a symmetrical shape (it is much more nice!) and a symbol for giving some character to the puzzle. I found the perfect symbol : the Sigma Σ, a letter of the Greek alphabet. When organised as I want, it looks like a star.

Step 2: Designing

In this design, there is 6 different parts, and several will be printed twice or more.

  • The first one is obviously the sigma : for designing it, I took a PNG file and imported it as a canva in Fusion 360.

All others parts are very similar : they are made on the same principle.

I was careful to allow for margins so that the parts would fit together well.

Sigma-shaped puzzle

Attachments

Step 3: Printing

I don't have 3D printer for now, so I used my school's one. The printing took 5 hours.

To print these parts, we need to :

  • Save them as a STL files
  • Import them in Cura
  • Place them for the best printing
  • Begin the printing

Some parts will need to be printed several times : this is indicated in the names of the files.

Attachments

Step 4: Assembly & Disassembly

The assembly is probably harder than the disassembly : I made some little videos to show you that.

Animations are probably easier to understand than the "real" video...

Step 5: Make It !

Now it's your turn: make it and enjoy !



Goodbye,


FrenchDIY