Very Interest Idea
http://bbs.mf8-china.com/forum.php?mod= ... a=page%3D1

...!

Brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15QkRxecU7o&feature=plcp

Very similar idea but with rubber bands.

Very creative, I like the idea. Unfortunately this has two key problems:

1. The strings will twist until the tension is too high and the layers won't turn, or one of the strings breaks.
2. Friction between the strings will cause them to break over time in any case, just like any shoe lace.

Any solutions?

Looking at the design I don't think the strings will twist very much. I believe the design allows sliding rather than twisting. That's my (string) theory anyway.

Maybe flexible steel rods/wires would work better anyway?

Just cut the right length of metal wire, bend round one end (tip) of the wire with a pair of pliers, thread on the 2 caps, springs and washers in the right order, and then bend round the other end...



Job done!



PS. It may also help to make a small kink in the middle of each wire to accommodate the other two wires, like this:


In fact, you could probably make the wire with all the bends first, and then just thread on the different bits.

And placing the bends in precise position would ensure exactly the right tension, much better than fiddling around with screws and cores (or even knotting strings). Not to mention a lot cheaper and faster.

Also, springs may not even be necessary as the kink may act a bit like a spring, especially if it's more U-shaped.



The only thing left is to prevent the cut ends of the wire scraping on the washers:



And any excess friction would warm the steel rod and make it longer, so the tension would be self-correcting!!!



But, just in case it's still not springy enough:

What do people think of my wire idea? Could it perform as well as standard core, springs and screws, while being cheaper and faster to assemble in production?

It's gone very quiet, and I'd like to know what people think. Does anybody want to start cutting up a coathanger?

It's an interesting idea. I think washers would be needed otherwise even rounded wire would start to grind the plastic away.

However I reckon if a cube built like this was subjected to any sort of 'slanting' force that pushes each layer out of line with the others, then the wires would skew causing the cube to explode. That's what my imagination tells me anyway.

Yes, washers would still be required, but that's all. Otherwise no screws, springs, or molded core.

I don't think this will be a problem because the shape of the interlocking blocks prevent sideways movement. The only force required is tension between opposing center pieces, then everything will work as it should. The use of string in the original post proves it.