gibell
Expertise:
- Designer
Watch the YouTube video
Watch Matthew and Mindy Farnsworth reenact their romantic proposal.
Read at the Shapeways Forum
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum
Please contact Oskar directly if you are interested in obtaining a fully colored, stickered and assembled sample of this puzzle.
Gift Cube is produced by Mefferts for Jade Club as Oskar's Treasure Chest.
There are two different Meissner solids, subtly different. Look closely at the edges. Some are rounded and some are sharp. One of them has the round edges making a a triangle and the sharp edges meeting at a point; the other has them the other way around.
These are sized for compatibility with gibell's solids, so if you get all five they will all roll smoothly under the same flat surface together. And like gibell's, they are hollow with internal braces to lend extra support, with holes in the bottom to let the support material out.
Printed great. Video below! (the two foreground shapes are mine; the red one in the background is one of gibell's from the set linked above)
A large version of the puzzle is available here.
The goal is to assemble the five identical pieces shown in the first picture into the ring-like structure shown in the others. Each of the five pieces is made from six dodecahedral cells, giving the puzzle its name. It is based on the 120-cell, one of the six regular polytopes in four-dimensional space. When assembled the puzzle is a part of the stereographic projection of the radial projection of the 120-cell to the three-sphere.
Further description here: http://www.segerman.org/30-cell_puzzle.pdf.
This is joint work with Saul Schleimer.
Looks fantastic in glossy silver!
Update: Jury 1st Prize winner at the 2011 International Puzzle Design competition
Two open-ended Superstrings with the correct spin can be merged into a super-symmetrical cube.
The idea for this puzzle emerged when I was designing shapes based on two interlocked tetrahedra. Inspired by ideas from 'string theory' and 'super-symmetry', I began to search for shapes that were both symmetrical and as similar as possible.
Taking the two pieces apart is not too difficult; reassembling them back into a cube can be more challenging. Hold one of the pieces still; move the other piece through the correct sequence of lateral and rotational moves.
Two colour dyed version in a perspex display case available from Etsy.
Reviews of Superstrings by puzzle enthusiasts from around the world.
"Another great little pocket puzzle from Richard Gain" - Allard Walker - Puzzling Times
"I can't really think of any downsides with this one, it was an elegantly designed puzzle that was fun to solve. Well done, Richard!" - Brian Pletcher - Mechanical Puzzles
"An attractive tactile puzzle with a decent challenge but not too awful - a really good addition to my display." - Kevin Sadler - Puzzlemad
"This is a really tough puzzle, and I can see why it won favor with the judges at IPP. Much easier to take apart than it is to put together, Richard can be rightly proud of this one." - Neil Hutchison - Puzzling Parts
SOMA Cube Puzzle has a new twist: 14 Interlocking pieces. Inner parts slide into outer ones for interlocked "cube in a cube" challenges.
SOMA's Revenge is an interlocking assembly cube puzzle with sliding pieces. The new and unique challenge for this puzzle is to assemble the pieces into interlocking cube configurations. It also has hundreds of other challenges that involve assembling the pieces into various figures.
Contest - SOMA's Revenge is a new spin on one of the most popular puzzles of all time. No one has solved its new challenges, so I am starting a prize contest for the first people in the world to solve it. Contest details and rules are at the bottom of this page.
SOMA's Revenge is based on the same seven shapes as the classic SOMA puzzle. These SOMA shapes are made up of 27 cubes joined into pieces with three or four cubes each. These can be assembled into a 3 x 3 x 3 cube shape in 240 different ways. They can also be assembled to form hundreds of figures such as buildings and animals. The pieces of the classic SOMA puzzle do not interlock.
SOMA's Revenge consists of a set of seven outer pieces, and seven inner pieces. Each set of seven pieces are modeled after the seven pieces of the classic SOMA puzzle. Where the SOMA pieces are made of small cubes with solid faces connected together, the SOMA's Revenge pieces are made up of only the edges of cubes. Round rods are used in SOMA's Revenge to create what looks like wire frame outlines of the individual cubes used in the classic SOMA pieces. The inner pieces are slightly smaller then the outer pieces. This allows the inner pieces to slide snuggly into the outer pieces in several different ways. The cube challenges for this puzzle are to assemble all 14 pieces into a 3 x 3 x 3 cube. The hollow wire frame shape of the outer parts makes it possible to assemble both sets of SOMA pieces into a single cube. This results in a slightly smaller 3 x 3 x 3 cube inside of an outer one.
The first 240 cube challenges for the puzzle follow the 240 different cube assemblies of the classic SOMA puzzle. I call these the "Easy Cube" challenges because you can easily assemble the pieces into one of these solutions. For these solutions each of the inner pieces are first slide into the outer piece that has the same shape. Slide them all the way in so the smaller piece is completely contained within the larger piece. For example for the "L" shaped pieces, the smaller one is slid entirely into the large one so the "L" shapes of each line up. This results in seven "twin pieces", where a piece's smaller twin is inside of it. These "twin pieces" have the same outline shape as the classic SOMA pieces, so these can be put together in the same 240 ways as the SOMA cube puzzle.
The ultimate cube challenges for this puzzle is to find other ways to assemble the pieces with the same goal of having a slightly smaller 3 x 3 x 3 cube inside of a larger one. What is different for these cube challenges is that one or more of the inner pieces must be slid into an outer pieces of a different shape. Here one or more of the cube outlines of an inner piece will be inside, and line up with cube outlines in a different shaped outer piece. What this results in is that at least one inner piece will be partially inside one outer piece, and also partially inside another outer piece. This will create an interlocking of many pieces. This interlocking is something new to SOMA type puzzles. I call any assembly of this type where at least one small piece is inside more than one large piece an "Interlocked Cubes" configuration.
So far only one "Interlocked Cubes" Solution to this puzzle is known, there may be many more. I just invented this puzzle in July 2012 and designed it around an "Interlocked Cubes" Solution. This solution results in a fully interlocked cube - toss it in the air and all the pieces stay together. I purposefully have not looked for any other "Interlocked Cubes" solutions. Instead I have left this as a challenge for puzzle lovers to try to discover on their own. I have assembled the parts for the "Interlocked Cubes" Solution that I designed the puzzle for, but I don't consider that solving it as I already knew where each piece went. Everyone has the chance to be the first person in the world to solve one of the "Interlocked Cubes" Solutions for this puzzle.
SOMA figures puzzle challenges - SOMA's Revenge has many other challenges besides all the cube challenges. There are hundreds of figures that you can try to construct using the seven SOMA shapes. A good way to do this with SOMA's Revenge pieces is to first put each smaller part completely inside its larger twin. This makes the pieces more stable for solving the other SOMA figures. Next go to Thorleif's SOMA page and visit the All the SOMA Figures at a click page. This contains more than 2000 figures you can try to build including the dog, robot, crystal, snake, tower, tunnel and sofa from the original SOMA manual.
SOMA's Revenge with multiple Colors - I
would suggest that the inner pieces of your SOMA's Revenge puzzle be a
different color from the outer pieces; for example with the inner pieces
black, and the outer pieces white. This makes it easier to see the inner
pieces inside of the outer pieces when you are trying to solve the puzzle.
This also makes it very attractive when it is in a display case. One way
to do this is to order "SOMA's Revenge - Inner Parts Only" and "SOMA's
Revenge - Outer Parts Only" separately, and select White Strong and
Flexible for the material for the outer parts and Black Strong and
Flexible for the other. You can do that now by clicking on the "Add Set to
Cart" button below.
Want to get a White and Black set?
+ 
Another way to do different colors is to order "SOMA's Revenge - All Puzzle Parts " and then dye or paint one of the sets yourself. If you are buying two puzzles then you could buy one "SOMA's Revenge - All Puzzle Parts" in white, and one in black, then use the black inner parts and the white outer ones for one puzzle, and the remaining parts for the second.
Display Case - If you purchase SOMA's Revenge you will probably want to also buy the companion display case to show it off. You can easily assemble all the pieces into one of the "Easy Cube" solutions. Then the assembled cube will fit nicely in the 2 inch by 2 inch by 2 inch clear plastic cube display case. This clear plastic display cube is sold separately, and is available for around $3. Use the link below to purchase it with free shipping.
Medium Size BCW Puzzle Display Case for SOMA's Revenge
If you are in the UK you can get a similar one for about GBP 5.30 with Free Shipping with the link below:
Display
Case for Bare Bones for UK Customers
Contest Description and Rules
The contest is to be the first ones to solve one of the new challenge for SOMA's Revenge. The Grand Prize will be a $50 Shapeways gift certificate courtesy of Shapeways ( Thank You Shapeways helping me promote this contest!). The Second Prize will be any model from my Ethereal Maze Puzzles Shapeways Shop. This includes any of my multi-puzzle mix packs.
The Grand Prize will be awarded to the first person to enter with an "Interlocked Cubes" solution. To give more people a chance to win you can also enter with a "partial solution" for a drawing for the Second Prize. The "partial solution" is where all seven of the outer pieces form a 3 x 3 x 3 cube, and there are at least four inner pieces are fully inside this cube and each inner piece is interlocked inside more than one outer piece.
To enter you will need to make a video of SOMA's Revenge being solved in an "Interlocked Cubes" configuration, or a "partial solution" configuration. The video needs to clearly show all steps used in assembling all of the pieces into the final cube shape. I will be judging the videos and reproducing the solution entries, and require the video to shows all the steps in order to be qualified. The Grand Prize will be awarded immediately to the first person to enter a video showing an "Interlocked Cubes" Solution. The Second Prize will be randomly drawn from all entries, including "partial solution" and "Interlocked Cube" videos (excluding the Grand Prize winner). The drawing will be held at the end of January 2013 so you have plenty of time to enter.
You can enter the contest up to two times. Once with a "partial solution" video and once with a "interlocked Cubes" video. To enter an "interlocked Cubes" video it must not be the same as the Grand Prize winners solution. I will announce the Grand Prize winner as soon as I verify the video they post, so everyone will be able to see it on my Youtube channel. Be sure to check out everyone's entries on my Youtube channel during the contest, as they may give you some clues or ideas on how you can solve the puzzle for the Grand Prize or to make an entry for the Second Prize.
How To Enter Your Video - To enter your video in the contest you will need to post your video as a video response to my "SOMA's Revenge" Cube Puzzle Solution Contest video. This video is on my Ethereal Maze Puzzle Youtube Channel. You will need to have to have a Youtube account to post a video response. I will also use your Youtube accounts to notify winners and award prizes. Start the entry processes by making the video and uploading it to your Youtube channel. Next post it as a video response to my "SOMA's Revenge" Cube Puzzle Contest video. When you post a video comment it will allow you to select one the videos you have previously uploaded to your Youtube channel. If you don't know how to upload a video and use it as a video response you can learn how in this cute video of how to post a Youtube video response. It may take me a few days to get to your video to approve it, so check back in a few days to make sure your entry appears as a video response.
This contest will start on August 10, 2012 and run until the end of January 2013 when the drawing will be held. There are millions of ways to try to configure the pieces with an inner cube inside of an outer cube. But the number of configurations which are actually possible to assemble is going to be a much, much smaller number. So you should have plenty of time to purchase a puzzle and try for the Grand Prize. In case no "Interlocked Cube" solution is found by the end of the year I will extend the contest for the Grand Prize. Feel free to post text comments to my "SOMA's Revenge" Puzzle Cube Solution Contest video. This would be a good place to post ideas on ways you think would be useful in trying to solve it.
SOMA Cube Trivia
The original SOMA cube was conceived of in the 1930's by Piet Hein while attending a lecture on Quantum physics by Werner Heisenberg (the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle guy). The SOMA Cube was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid. I had the big red plastic one. SOMA's Revenge makes me think of the Quantum entanglement of two SOMA cubes.
GeomBlocks T/O is a modular construction set for building shapes in tetrahedral / octahedral geometry.
One way to tile space is with cubes. But that's not the only way. Regular tetrahedra and octahedra also tile space, in an alternating honeycomb pattern. (They can also build larger copies of themselves!)
In GeomBlocks T/O, the tetrahedra have connectors that plug into the octahedra -- and half octahedra, which also turn out to be useful.
This basic set consists of 18 each of half octahedra and two-connector tetrahedra, and 4 each of octahedra, one-, three-, and four-connector tetrahedra. The unit edge length is 20mm.
Use GeomBlocks to explore the mathematics of tessellations, build geometric sculpture, or design puzzles outside the same old cubic landscape. (Complex puzzles might require multiple sets. Some of the photos show multiple sets in multiple colors.)
This is an untwisted version of "Cryo twisted" definitively a different puzzle.
A registered design (reg.no. 002144584-0001).
Size (assembled): approx. round 45 mm x 141 mm
Weight: approx. 90 grams
Youtube video of puzzle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEPhkSSyK4U
Youtube video of assembly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGzAtHFIB-w
Review for this puzzle: http://mypuzzlecollection.blogspot.nl/2013/01/mazeroll.html
The aim of the puzzle is to bring the ball through the maze from one end of the cylinder to the other end.
Added to this challenge is the situation that this maze is a kind of maze within a maze; because the cylindrical disk parts in between the ends can rotate but mostly not fully (due to end stop restrictions).
Also, this is not 1 puzzle; the cylindrical disk parts can be arranged in several combinations to create an easy or more difficult puzzle.
Find the overview of configurations here: http://www.mfave.nl/en/webshop/puzzels-26/MazeRoll-59/?pg=download_preview
Create the puzzle as follows:
1) Break off the puzzle parts (like with model kits)
2) Remove all (semi-)loose 3D printing processing powder. Advise is to use the stainless maze path scraper to do this: http://www.shapeways.com/model/848686/maze-path-scraper.html
3) Use a file and/or sandpaper to create an exact fit of the parts (as this is a technical puzzle, the print is designed on the narrow side. As it is easier to remove material to get an exact fit than to add material). When needed, use a drill of round 12 mm to widen the holes of the cilinder disk parts to fit around the central axis.
4) Rinse off the puzzle with cold water (you can safely do this as the puzzle is nylon PA66 material), and dry to air
5) Lubricate the contact surfaces to have a smooth rotation in the puzzle (use grease like Vaseline for the lubrication)
6) Drop a 1/8 inch stainless steel ball in the puzzle. This ball is not included in the print, but you can have this free from me by contacting me
7) Assemble the puzzle
Please know that the 3-D printing process of Shapeways has tolerances, which can lead to small imperfections.
If you're not used or skilled to building puzzles: assembled products can be bought at http://www.mfave.nl/en/webshop/maze_puzzles-27
This puzzle is not suitable as a toy, but intended for the serious puzzler.
