Skip to content

All Five Platonic Solids Puzzle

Advertising
Advertising
?
Creation quality: 5.0/5 (1 vote)
Evaluation of members on the printability, utility, level of detail, etc.

  • 5.9k views
  • 20 likes
  • 244 downloads
  • 4 comments

License
3D design format
STL Folder details Close
  • cube_piece_qty4.stl
  • dodec_piece_qty6.stl
  • icos_piece_qty4.stl
  • octahedron_qty1.stl
  • tetra_piece_qty4.stl

Learn more about the formats

Publication date 2020-01-28 at 09:09
?
Published to Thingiverse on: 2019-04-07 at 05:03
Design number 102215

3D printer file info

3D model description

A quick glance at my things will tell you that I have a bit of an obsession with the Platonic solids...I've also been very in to "coordinate motion" puzzles: puzzles in which all the pieces have to move at once in order to put them together or take them apart. With this project, I've tried to exorcise both of those obsessions a little bit.

Now I own a wooden puzzle in which all 5 Platonic solids nest within each other. There was even a NY Times article about this puzzle. But I've always found it a bit dissatisfying; I'm not quite sure why. So I've tried my hand at making my own puzzle in which all of the Platonic solids nest within each other. And each one is a coordinated-motion puzzle as well. Each individual puzzle consists of multiple copies of just one piece, which exhibit not only the symmetry of each Platonic solid, but also the relationship between the symmetries of each.

Everything is pretty easy to print. I would use fine detail (like 0.1mm layer height if you can) for the tetrahedron puzzle. I think everything else would be fine with 0.2mm. The cube pieces require a small amount of support, but I printed everything else with no support. Each STL file name says how many you need to print, but for reference:
icosahedron piece: 4 copies
dodecahedron piece: 6 copies
cube piece: 4 copies
tetrahedron piece: 4 copies
octahedron: 1 copy

The puzzles are tricky to put together, but also can be tricky to take apart. It always seems like you don't have enough hands to get the job done well! But I've discovered a cool trick that works on some of them. A hint: there's a magical (but fictituous) force in physics which pulls outward in all directions from an axis on a body...

I've also included, as usual, the Python notebook I used to design this puzzle. Enjoy!

Advertising


Issue with this design? Report a problem.

Would you like to support Cults?

You like Cults and you want to help us continue the adventure independently? Please note that we are a small team of 3 people, therefore it is very simple to support us to maintain the activity and create future developments. Here are 4 solutions accessible to all:

  • ADVERTISING: Disable your banner blocker (AdBlock, …) and click on our banner ads.

  • AFFILIATION: Make your purchases online by clicking on our affiliate links here Amazon.

  • DONATE: If you want, you can make a donation via Ko-Fi πŸ’œ.

  • WORD OF MOUTH: Invite your friends to come, discover the platform and the magnificent 3D files shared by the community!


Sharing and downloading on Cults3D guarantees that designs remain in makers community hands! And not in the hands of the 3D printing or software giants who own the competing platforms and exploit the designs for their own commercial interests.

Cults3D is an independent, self-financed site that is not accountable to any investor or brand. Almost all of the site's revenues are paid back to the platform's makers. The content published on the site serves only the interests of its authors and not those of 3D printer brands who also wish to control the 3D modeling market.

100% secure payment by credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.
View all payment options.