Gyro the Cube

Design by virtox
    (136) 
    • 3.88 out of 5
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Alumide in Motion
Alumide in Motion
Red in Motion
Red in Motion
Red in Motion
Alumide Still
Alumide Still
Alumide Still
Video
3d Model Viewer
Alumide in Motion
Alumide in Motion
Alumide in Motion
Accused of being fake, witchcraft and simply impossible..
This kinetic sculpture is inspired by the unlimited freedom of 3d printing,
it wobbles and turns with a slight movement of the hand.
Now give it a good spin or puff of air and it erupts in erratic and wild behavior.

This is the 5cm / 2" version, see the Gyro the Forms section for other shapes and sizes.
Corner stand available separately, or get the complete set below!

NEW!
Now also available as a pendant/keyfob!
In both Extra small and Small

Instructions
It is composed of four concentric cubes, each one spinning around a different axis.
The model needs some minor assembly:
Each inner cube has two knobs which need to be placed into the corresponding clamps in the parent cube. It's easiest to start with the inner most and continue outward.
And then... spin it away !

Notes
Do not be alarmed if your cube will not run smoothly at first!
Because of minor variations as a result of the printing process,
some need to wear in a little but will loosen up very quickly.
In the example video I am blowing on it to make it move, it's that smooth.

Be a little careful with (the assembly of) the Alumide version as this material is slightly less flexible/robust than the Strong & Flexible materials.

Get a complete set.
A default set consists of an Alumide Gyro the Cube and a White stand, you can change the materials in your cart later. 118x87_36851_89894_1338413385.jpg + 118x87_387662_147353_1338413388.jpg
addsetbutton.png
cm: 5.952 w x 5.71 d x 6.22 h
in: 2.343 w x 2.248 d x 2.449 h

Comments

 
What happened to the small gyro the cubes? They look so cool. (Especially the key chain ones)
13 hours ago
@virtox Thanks for the response :) I contacted Shapeways, and we have corresponded about getting a reprint, I sent them some pictures of the print. I ordered it in alumide, which should also be more fragile than white strong and flexible, but not to the point where the print breaks from just being spun. It doesn't seem like the other pins have the same problem.
April 30, 2013, 2:17 pm
@JeppeHeiniMikkelsen Sorry to hear that! Which material did you order? Can you see any obvious weak spots on the other pins? If it is a production/quality error, you can probably get a reprint. Have you already contacted service@Shapeways.com with a photo and order details?
April 30, 2013, 2:11 pm
One of the pins on mine broke of half a day after i got it :-( don't know why, I just spun it normally, hope that I can get a new one :-(
April 30, 2013, 11:27 am
@virtox gyro lives on my desk, I spin it while waiting for models to upload ;)
January 17, 2013, 4:02 pm
Nice work, your design is also in the top ten most viewed 3D printed designs of 2012!!! http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/1854-10-Most-Viewed-3D-Printed-Products-of-2012-on-Shapeways.html
December 28, 2012, 4:37 pm
Congrats, your design is the Number 1, in the top 10 most favorited 3D printed designs of 2012. http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/1853-The-10-Most-Favorited-3D-Printed-Products-of-2012-on-Shapeways.html
December 28, 2012, 3:34 pm
I just received this and it was great! The assembly process was very easy, and it spins well right off the bat-- not quite well enough that a breath will do, but I imagine that comes with time.
December 20, 2012, 10:15 pm
thanks forums
November 15, 2012, 3:17 pm
Hi Telemar, unfortunately the polishing process turned out to be too rough for this size model in Alumide. Only the bigger models are strong enough and able withstand the polishing.
October 27, 2012, 8:37 am
Is it possible to get this in polished alumide? I noticed that the larger models are available in that size.
October 26, 2012, 11:06 pm
I received my White Strong and Flexible Gyro and have been enjoying it thoroughly - Unboxing --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7cnDOdNN9M&feature=plcp
October 17, 2012, 12:23 am
that is the most epic thing i have ever seen in my life
October 7, 2012, 10:11 pm
What kind of 3d printer do you work with an what programs do you.use
September 25, 2012, 3:33 pm
In my experience the Alumide looks and feels slightly rougher. And technically it is a little less tough than pure S&F. But if you do not throw it around, this should not make much difference.
July 27, 2012, 12:37 pm
I have black tables and metal lamps in my room, Alumide would look nice on them, i have only ever bought WS&F so just before i pick, does Alumide feel the same, is it tougher, or is the Aluminum powder just for looks? Thanks!
July 26, 2012, 1:18 am
Choice of material depends; My personal favorite is the Alumide, while slightly less robust, this a very exclusive and futuristic material, and it really complements the model. For ultimate durability I recommend one of the Dyed Strong & Flexible. But if your budget is tight, just go with the White ;-)
July 23, 2012, 10:31 am
What material would you recommend, WS&F or Alumide?
July 23, 2012, 10:03 am
I find myself sitting back and spinning the gyro on a vertical axis, in theory to space out and think a little... but in truth I find myself spinning and spinning and blowing and spinning and losing track of what it was I wanted to think about... thanks a lot for such a cool creation - - no, thanks, seriously... i do want to get the dodo too....
June 28, 2012, 3:32 pm
Yeah, they seem pretty free....I'll practice
June 21, 2012, 9:07 am
Hi Fatfree, thank you. Do all the "rings" in your Gyro the Cube rotate smoothly? If not, it probably needs to wear in a little. When it moves smoothly, blowing slightly of center should make it move as shown in the video.
June 20, 2012, 5:16 pm
Got my gyro today....very interesting, but I can't make it fly like in the video - any hints on how to do that?
June 20, 2012, 4:48 pm
Thank you for your constructive criticism, feedback is always very much appreciated! If everything is printed alright, the pins on the first and second cube should be the same as on the more inner cubes. If this is not the case, you might have gotten a bad print. I went to great length to make sure the model prints operational despite slight tolerances introduced in the printing. This tolerance can go both ways, so some cubes run a bit rough others slightly smoother. So unfortunately I cannot extend them as that would risk that the some cubes would not fit/run smoothy anymore at all. I did notice the following happens sometimes: The material is quite flexible, so it might be that the outer cube got deformed a little during transport, making the diagonal on the outer axis slightly longer? And while playing with it, holding it too tightly on a different diagonal might elongate the axis causing it to pop out? If it keeps popping out, you could try to (softly) squeeze the first/second axis diagonal (when the second cube is not in place.) Please let me know if this helps!
May 31, 2012, 11:40 am
I received my White Strong and Flexible Gyro last week and have been enjoying it thoroughly. In the interest of constructive criticism, would it be possible to slightly extend either side of the connection between the first (outer) and second cubes? The pin seems to jump out of the cradle on that outer connection more often than the inner cubes.
May 30, 2012, 3:35 pm
Makes a great thinking tool. Thanks!
April 12, 2012, 11:57 pm
Which material is best to make this work good?!?!???!
March 29, 2012, 6:26 pm
Darn, the model I received wasn't printed properly and I can't connect the two largest cubes. I hope Shapeways will help me soon, my ticket is languishing.
March 16, 2012, 9:28 pm
Not only is this a great toy to play with, it is a fascinating design and an excellent example of the capabilities of 3D printing! Great work, virtox.
March 14, 2012, 12:21 am
I Love this design....
March 11, 2012, 2:13 am
I love GYRO!
March 10, 2012, 4:43 am
Best desk toy ever
March 9, 2012, 9:00 pm
Could you make it in gold plated or won't that materail work?
December 27, 2011, 5:11 am
The strong & flexible material has more give and is a bit lighter. But it moves just as smooth.
December 1, 2011, 9:04 am
I've noted the assembly warning on the Alumide version. Has anyone found that the Strong and flexible versions move less smoothly? Or do they still work just as well, and the material just has more give?
November 30, 2011, 10:37 pm
This thing is awesome - cannot put it down.
October 5, 2011, 5:38 pm
Thank you all for the kind words! :-) And yes, the Shapeways offices have a couple of (L) models on display. The (XL) model was on display during the "CTRL-Z" exhibit in Haarlem the Netherlands.
September 11, 2011, 10:06 am
Saw one of these (possibly one of the bigger models) at the Shapeways gathering in NY yesterday. Wonderful fidget toy! Now it's on my shopping list.
February 16, 2011, 4:51 pm
It's become my nervous habit idle hands play thing...I'm playing with it at the moment, in fact...
April 16, 2010, 4:13 am
It's beautiful, and part of my daily conference calls now ;-)
April 15, 2010, 10:03 am
Really cool design. Very smooth action, cannot stop playing with it.
March 9, 2010, 9:19 am
Got mine today! Fun. I didn't figure out the hinge system at first (in my mind the gyro moved because of the way it was shaped, not the hinges) but it's very easy to pop it together. Thanks!
January 22, 2010, 5:58 pm
I received my printed Gyro the cube today and I was super pleased. It came out flawless and I could easily place the hinges in place. This is fascinating model and a extremely well done. Just rotating it in one's hands gently produces an interesting rotation effect. I hope you will pursue more models like this with Geometric shapes within shapes.
September 23, 2009, 7:14 pm
 
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Material Options
  • Alumide

    Alumide
    $30.00
  • White Strong & Flexible

    White Strong & Flexible
    $25.00
  • White Strong & Flexible Polished

    White Strong & Flexible Polished
    $27.50
  • Black Strong & Flexible

    Black Strong & Flexible
    $30.00
  • Coral Red Strong & Flexible Polished

    Coral Red Strong & Flexible Polished
    $27.49
  • Hot Pink Strong & Flexible Polished

    Hot Pink Strong & Flexible Polished
    $27.49
  • Royal Blue Strong & Flexible Polished

    Royal Blue Strong & Flexible Polished
    $27.49
  • Violet Purple Strong & Flexible Polished

    Violet Purple Strong & Flexible Polished
    $27.49
  • Alumide

    Alumide
    $30.00