Puzzle Time

Our tool was the laser cutter with chipboard as a material. We experimented with some different sizes but ultimately decided on 1/32". This would allow us much play and flexibility as our whole concept consisted of layering. We decided to modify a puzzle featuring six different pieces. The pieces were based on a 1/4" grid that would take advantage of layering pieces cut by the laser cutter. The width of the pieces was a 1/2" which took 16 layers to make a square piece!

To make my assembly easier, the layers were each labeled from A - F. This not only helped with identifying the pieces, but was critical to putting the final model together. Chipboad was an ideal material for this project. It allowed for tolerances and could adjust in certain circumstances. The pieces are obviously still very precise, and have to be for a successful fit. But, the chipboard has a little give making it less likely for failure.

Our next step was to figure out a way to connect a finished puzzle to another one. As the picture shows, the final piece( labeled A) is the one which allows for movement in and out of the middle joint. This gave us the most opportunity to play with connections. Our solution became a two step process with piece E. Each was given a male and female end. After after the male end of E was connected to the female end of E(from the second puzzle), piece A was intended to slide over that joint locking it in place. The A connection was taking advantage of friction between the layers and the tolerances allowed it to lock into each other, once again using a male and female end.

The idea was to create an infinite puzzle, that could continuously build upon itself.