Puzzle X

The mysterious Puzzle X! Your goal? Get the ring off!

This little guy is not only a deceptively simple puzzle, but a great demo of what 3D printers can do. It utilizes internal geometry to hold some captive parts in place while printing, which are snapped out to move freely after the print is done.

If you don't have a printer, but you'd still like your own Puzzle X, you can grab one at my shop.

In order to make one for yourself, you'll need to print:

2x . . . . . Puzzle_X_body (V8).stl
1x . . . . . Puzzle_X_ring (V8).stl

To assemble (puzzle spoilers!):

1. Take a pair of pliers or other tool to twist the diamond-shaped pins until they are able to move freely back and forth in the hole. Depending on your print quality, you may have to take a file to the bottom of the pin, though I have not had issues with this on any machines I tested (UMO+, i3MK2s MMU, Polar3D, Printrbot).

2. Push both sets of pins into their holes, and line both "body" parts up with their centers in the middle. Slide the ring around both parts, and twist one "body" until it sits inside the cavity of the other "body." If the pins have gotten in the way of assembling, just spin the puzzle until the pins unlock. The two "body" parts should sit flush with each other with the ring surrounding them, as shown in the photo above.

3. Give the puzzle to an unsuspecting nerd that hasn't seen this type of puzzle before, and laugh as they struggle to take the ring off.

If you really want to get creative with the Puzzle X, feel free to mix and match colors and materials to get some cool effects. Also, the source Inventor files are up--PuzzleX (V8).ipt--in case you'd like to put some cool designs on the side! Instructions on how to do so are posted on my blog.

Thanks for dropping by, and keep on printing!

-Brent