You can found many accessories based on Lego, but not the same for TENTE, a similar spanish game that died several years ago (see my other "arrived" post for more info). So this idea isn't new for Lego, but it is for TENTE: a two-studs ring to connect other bricks on it.



Originally it was ordered in gold plated, but I forgot to left a hole and the stainless steel ring couldn't be plated. But also this material was fine to check my expectations about the design.

First check was the connectivity with other TENTE bricks and it failed because the gap between the studs and their holes were smaller, surely due to the furnace process. Well nothing new about SS material and I have previously checked with other models that Detail material offered the right fit, and WS&F didn't. Because of this, I cannot attach original TENTE bricks to this SS ring, but pieces made in Detail material don't have this problem: they are a little rubbery. In the next image, the red piece is original and the white is Transparent Detail.



Other checks were the thickness used (at least 1.1mm and no problem for this size/geometry) and the texture of the material (a little rough in the internal side, below the studs). Aso I found that SS material isn't very malleable: I broke the ring trying to widen the gap. In some images you'll see a little of glue.




I should change a little the geometry of the studs to get a better connectivity, but I'm not sure that next time the "furnace" effect makes a different deformation. So I think printing the ring in Detail material is the best solution, with metallic paint to get the gold texture, or just using the transparent option.

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[Updated on: Fri, 18 June 2010 08:45 UTC]

I received my first puzzle designed for 3D printing and it really works. The puzzle pieces are all linked together and the aim is to arrange them to form a 3x3x3 cube.
The Gelenkwürfel is available from the Shapeways website : <a href="http://www.shapeways.com/model/120495/gelenkw__rfel.html" target="_blank"></a>.

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[Updated on: Sun, 13 June 2010 12:48 UTC]

Hi all,

The Fractal Pendant that I already discussed in the Work in Progress forum arrived today.
Here is one picture.


Basically, it is a ring (level 1) surrounded by 3 perpendicular smaller rings (level 2) positioned at 120°. Then the next step is adding even smaller rings (level 3) around the rings of the previous level and also at the the level 1 between the level 2 rings. The process stops at level 4.
As one could expect, the result is... complex.

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Hi Shapeways fans,

PantaCube was inspired by the Cubedron puzzle, which was designed by Pantazis Houlis. As a tribute to Pantazis' work, I call the puzzle PantaCube. The puzzle has five square tiles that slide around a sphere. The object is to scramble the puzzle and then to get the colors aligned again.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:15 UTC]

Just recently got two from my store printed in White Detail for the first time. I'm thinking about doing the "tea dying" process that looks so good in that material.

Glenn

Edited to replace huge pics with smaller ones...

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[Updated on: Wed, 02 June 2010 02:12 UTC]

While Lego is known internationally, in Spain an alternate system existed some years ago: TENTE. Maybe someone knows TENTE because some models were also sold in Europe, America and Japan. But the original maker ceased operation in 1993 and the trademark was bought by another game maker that used the name for a Lego clone system and finally ended its production.

Nowadays auction sites and flea markets are the only source for collectors... well, some users have tried prototyping the original bricks. Recently I adapted the LDraw system to create virtual TENTE models and scenes; I just imported to this system all the pieces that other users have previously modeled with other tools (3D Studio, etc.). While these tools require 3D proficiency, LDraw ones are very easy to use. Also, those 3D experts and I have created new pieces (we call them "dark") that never existed in the original game. So the question was: is it possible to make TENTE pieces with 3D printing? Well, after seeing the 2x4 Brick of DonSolo the question was half answered.

I have used Strong&Flexible and Detail (White and Transparent). I also ordered Alumide for other piece, but it was cancelled because thin walls (1mm instead of the required 1.5). I don't know how DonSolo was able to get 2x4 Brick on alumide because I think some of his walls are also very thin.

As DonSolo says about his brick, "the best material to use is Detail, it gives a nice snug fit. The Strong & Flexible materials are less precise and tend to work best stacked right on top of each other.". For the monoplane (image below), no problem with the precision, except the bottom part when connected to a stud, so S&F would be the perfect material because it allows several types of paint.


Next piece is a 1x1 hinge, a "dark" piece because the original game offered a 1x2 hinge, not a 1x1. I discourage WS&F material (at the right) for this double and articulated piece because precision is crucial for a good rotation. Also the stud fits loosely and the bottom part is so tight that the piece doesn't fit entirely on other studs (the image doesn't show the gap on the opposite face). However, White Detail (at the left) offers the right precision and the piece fits well on others.


This is a rounded 1x2 plate using WS&F (left) and Transparent Detail (right). As previously, WS&F lacks the necessary precision, while Detail has a good fit. The only problem with both Detail materials is its peeling off, maybe it's the residual gel. Also, I'm not sure about the right paint for this material.


Last piece is a 1x1 plate on WS&F and same conclusion: the stud and the bottom part fit loosely on other pieces. Maybe after painting this material, the new layer could give a plastic/elastic surface that improves both cases: loose and tight ones.


Finally all the studded pieces (bottom side) on an original 1x8 brick.

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[Updated on: Sat, 29 May 2010 16:33 UTC]

Hi Shapeways fans,

Rising Sun is a take-apart puzzle: remove the sun from the cloud. It is like a maze to solve.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read my posting on the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:15 UTC]

Hi Everybody!

The first prints I designed myself arrived. Some things might have to be scaled up a bit. Overall, I'm quite happy with it.

Let me know what you think. You can also check out some models in progress in the shop.

Cheers,

froland

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[Updated on: Fri, 28 May 2010 01:19 UTC]

Check out the twistypuzzles forum thread here for a lot more pictures, at a smaller size!

As a prize for this contest, I received a free design of one of my ideas! So this is my idea, but it was made by him.
Thank you to Quirky-Cubes for this nice design! Check out his shapeways shop here
It is like a pyramorphix, but turned 45° on one cutting plane. It is harder than the pyramorphix, and makes some fun shapes! The stickers were cut by hand.
The original had a slight problem, it didn't fit on the mini 2x2x2 quite right, leaving 2mm gaps in between each piece. I told him about this, and he quickly fixed it, so the design on shapeways should look tighter.
This is the original, so you can see the black base puzzle.

This is for sale here
The original one (in the pictures) is for sale for $70 + shipping currently. If you would like to buy it, PM me!

VIDEO!



I also printed a few other things- ALL of these were designed in BLENDER! The first (I think) working twisty puzzles designed in Blender!
These will all be on shapeways after some modifications.

A tiny 1x2x3, 1/3rd of regular size:


Unfortunately the results are too inconsistent to put it up for sale. Some of the pieces are so small that it can't always print them correctly. Out of 4 prints, only one of each of the kinds of centre piece worked.
However, it turns surprisingly well, and is a cute little puzzle!

A test for a medium 1x2x3:


This one worked much better and turns well too. I need to fix some tolerances slightly, but I'm pleased with it. I printed it like this to make it cheaper . I'm planning on basing a few designs on a similar mechanism, which is why the top sides make it more like a bandaged 2x2x3. That will be for sale soon!

And finally:
Music rings!
I messed up and made them too small, but they will be up for co-creator soon. They printed very well in metal, and looks lovely. It is simply a treble clef on a staff, which wraps around your finger.




Don't forget to check out my shop! All these models and more will be up soon!

[Updated on: Sat, 22 May 2010 07:13 UTC]

During a long weekend trip to Berlin, UPS delivered no less than 5 boxes full of shapes at various neighbors. So now the entire street is aware of Shapeways The unboxing was a great experience for the entire family, because they contained several shapes from the community. So a big thanks to all of you for the inspiration and fresh energy!

The girls also picked their favorites. The overall winner is wuct88's horse, which got an immediate "wow" experience. Other favorites are the pendants from Gijs and Michiel, Virtox new gyro and ejisfun' ferris wheel. The shapes will now get a makeover from my "post-production department", so more fancy pictures later...

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I just got my newest puzzle, the Hollow 2x2x1!!
The 2x2x1 design was made by Quirky-Cubes and the Hollow design was made by Oskar van Deventer!
I hope you like!
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cy_kXvB4zsQ (sorry for my bad english)




http://www.shapeways.com/model/111958/hollow_2x2x1.html

[Updated on: Sat, 08 May 2010 14:48 UTC]

Hi Shapeways fans,

Gear Snake is a concatenation of four 2x2x2 Rubik's Cubes. The puzzle is build around four commercial 2x2x2 Eastsheen cubes. Because of the gears, the four 2x2x2's interact with eachother in a quite unexpected way.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:16 UTC]

This is the model:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/103551/2_cubes.html

I really like the shape and the smoothness!

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[Updated on: Wed, 14 April 2010 15:22 UTC]

This is the model:

http://www.shapeways.com/model/108421/artistic_wave_ring.htm l

They perfectly fit together!
Here you can see the photos:











Now I'm waiting for the steel version.
Thanks to all for comments!

Monitep

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[Updated on: Wed, 14 April 2010 15:23 UTC]

Now to the post processing work.




I'm waiting for two more models.

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[Updated on: Wed, 14 April 2010 07:54 UTC]

My first orders from Shapeways arrived today and thought I'd share them here.

All in WSF except the Hamsa Hand in in S/S.

The latter's surface appears slightly uneven but that's more a problem with design than the printing process. I put a textured surface on it but this didn't translate too well in printing due to the minute changes in surface depth.

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[Updated on: Mon, 05 April 2010 22:26 UTC]

Hi Shapeways fans,

Void 5x5x5 a variation of Okamoto's award-winning Void Cube, a Rubik's Cube with missing centers. This version is completely hollow as well, and it has 24 peep holes to see the spherical void inside.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:17 UTC]

Hi Shapeways fans,

Rotabram is a Doug-Engel-style flat twisty puzzle, conceived and designed by Bram Cohen and me. When parts are turned, the small gears are changing orientation and the black hexagons are broken. The object is to scramble the puzzle and then to get the puzzle back to its starting state.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:18 UTC]

Just received my latest order.

One model is shown below.

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so cool... mine is the thinner tire.....based off a HEMTT 10 ton truck....



THANKS SHAPEWAYS!!!

now my modeling dreams can come true!

-Mike (THOR)

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Hi everyone,

I've been out for a week or two due to some major software malfunctions on my computer and subsequent character failure in me

My system is up-and-running again, so back to business.
And today I have some good news !
(more text below)

Twiggy : (click for model page)




Sized at about 30 x 19 x 7 mm each, the twiggies are very intricate, and the printing process has added a really nice texture, making them even prettier So very happy that these are possible !
The detail is AMAZING !! I love them, though they will not trigger me to start wearing them myself


Adams Earshells : (click for model page)




Due to a high demand for an affordable Adam in steel, I created these Adam's Earshells. Also a bit on the edge of printability, but they too came out wonderful ! Size is about 27 x 18 x 6 mm (without ring).

Once you get the hang of this process/material, it is so cool !
And not sure how fast I got it this time, but I think it was a record for steel ! Something like 6 days..

Thank you shapeways

Stijn

Virtox
http://www.shapeways.com/shops/virtox

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[Updated on: Tue, 16 March 2010 10:45 UTC]

Hi Shapeways fans,

Fractal Cube is a twisty puzzle, related to Rubik's Cube. When solved, it is completely flat. While scrambling and solving, it swivels in all directions. The puzzle has a fractal structure with a trunk, branches and leaves.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:17 UTC]

I just blogged about my first full colour print:
http://albinal.blogspot.com/

It's pretty neat looking but there's a few things I could've done to improve it. For example I think the colours would be brighter if the textures were pure CMYK. Happy to hear peoples thoughts on this.

Also, I baked ambient occlusion onto the texture but this just makes it look dirty... or burnt!

[Updated on: Thu, 11 March 2010 21:24 UTC]

This is my first computer assisted design using AutoCAD 2010 and its a special rubiks cube called the quartet. Only 3 examplars in the world for now and I have one ! xD. I dont think i will be able to sell it on shapeways due to the french laws or something like that but i'll sell this unique examplar on ebay! (i'll make a post when I will start the Auction. I hope it will go for a lot of money because i made a lot of new designs and I would really want to buy them. It spins well and is easy to solve. Fully functional. I love it <3 !!!

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Hi Shapeways fans,

The Pentagon is a puzzle that I designed for its cuteness. It is quite small and hence quite affordable. The Pentagon is a pentagonal equivalent of the 2x2x2 Rubik's Cube. The pieces are a bit hollowed out so they can turn smoothly over and under each other. I used cadding to make the puzzle look "water tight", similar to my Kilominx version.

Watch the YouTube video.
But the puzzle from my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:18 UTC]

My biggest object ordered thus far and it arrived in record time !
Ordered on sunday, in my hands on friday.. that's only five working days !
Excellent work guys, thanks again !

And here it is :

Chronosome




I will make some prettier pictures later, but I have to wrap it now, before my wife sees it prematurely

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[Updated on: Fri, 29 January 2010 17:52 UTC]

Hi Shapeways fans,

Floppy 2x2x2 is a tribute to Katsuhiko Okamoto's brilliant and award-winning Floppy Cube. It turns in unexpected ways, very different from a conventional Rubik's Cube. Yet, the mechanism is very similar.

Watch the YouTube clip.
Buy at my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

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[Updated on: Sun, 03 October 2010 15:19 UTC]

Hey everyone,

I finally got around to ordering these in the proper material : steel.
(I goofed up earlier orders, either forgot items, or ordered wrong materials..) Anyhow, here they are :

Eardrops



Eardrops II



Up Quark



Enjoy !

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