Explo Cube is short for "Exploding Cube". Each of the six faces is spring loaded. You can turn each face one quarter turn left or right like a regular
Rubik's Cube. However, once you turn a face a half turn from its starting state, the face will blow off. The center is unlocked from the core and a strong spring launches it outward, taking edges and corners with it. Technically, this puzzle is a variation to Tom van der Zanden's
Constrained Cube, with the difference that an illegal move is not blocked, but results in an exploding puzzle. Also, the constraints are not indicated at the outside, which makes this puzzle well suited for some prank, a bit similar to
Fall Apart Cube, but with a more spectacular result.
Watch the
YouTube video.
Read at the
Shapeways Forum.
Read more at the
Twisty Puzzles Forum.
In order to keep the price of this puzzle as low as possible with Shapeways' new pricing model, all 27 pieces are connected with thin wires as one big blob. Please use a sharp knife to cut these wires before assembling the puzzle.
The specifications of the six metal springs are as follows.
Outer diameter: 4.8 mm
Inner diameter: 3.4 mm
Wire thickness: 0.7 mm
Nominal length: 29 mm
Compressed length: 15 mm
Please order a 3D-printed do-it-yourself puzzle kit from Shapeways at this page (check with Oskar about springs and stickers), or
contact Oskar directly if you are interested in obtaining a fully colored, stickered and assembled sample of this puzzle.