Mosaic Cube Modified Version - Smooth Turning ! 8-armed Ball core !

This is a modified version of mosaic cube, hand-modified and using new 8-armed ball core, smooth turning.
For the 1st one, we have spent more than 3 hours to modify one. Now, we can make them faster, but it is a tough work.

youtube video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wTo0yZAbW8
ebay auction : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 14477#shId




Enjoy !

Hi Calvin,

I am glad to see you are trying to make a nice version accessible. I think you could add something to your modification to improve it further. I noticed you were turning it while it was flat on a table. The standard mosaic cube `out of the box` could turn the same if it was held in this position. Holding it in your hands will demonstrate if there is an improvement.

If you relpace the springs with spacers you can make a firm adjustment to the tension of the turning of the corner (and keep the slice under it less firm), this makes the puzzle stable when slice turns are being made and when initiating a corner+slice turn in a new direction. Unfortunately because the tension is highly important and cannot be readjusted when the corners are glued on it might be good to add some glue to the screws to ensure they don't become loose with twisting.

Here is my video after installing my ball core, notice the tension on the corners, how they are stiffer than the slices. I am intentionally trying to not support the cube in any way. Getting the corners like this is the trick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w75vTHbI ... 3RXdYnsiA=

Are you breaking the corners apart or receiving stock that has not been assembled yet?
Cheers,
Burgo.

Thanks Burgo, I shall make a video holding on hand for you and all twisty friends.
Mine has atmost same turning effect as yours in your youtube video.


The spacers, do you mean the washers ?
I shall try the washers as well. That is a good idea.


I broke the corners apart, which had been glued firmly. That is a tough job. ^^"

Hi Calvin,

I would use metal tube (you can buy it from a hobby shop) cut it down to replace the length of the compressed spring (although you `could` use many washers). I would put a washer between the contact with the plastic to avoid wear. It is only to take up the place of the spring. You may need washers under the corner piece too to make the gap just right (depending on your ball core)?

The idea is to have the corner firm, because turning the slice+corner in one direction causes 3 other corners to turn in the opposite direction (it is the nature of the puzzle). Having the corners firmer and slices looser reduces the effects of this problem (the 3 other corners do not want to turn as much).

I also thought that a small hole drilled in the tips of the corner will allow retensioning with a thin screwdriver, but this might spoil the beauty of the puzzle.

HeavyTanHat set up a jig to hit the caps apart which sounded like the best way if you are going do do a bit of a production line:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=20333&start=200

Good luck with this project.

Cheers,
Burgo.

Mosaic cube modified version (video 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAiQaFjr ... playnext=1

Mosaic cube modified version (more scramble)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO42SSs6 ... ature=plcp

Enjoy !

It turns really good Calvin, I hope people will understand the improvement.

Cheers,
Burgo.

I can not find the suitable spacers.
I have just simply replace the core to our ball-core, add some lube. Then, it impoves the turnning a lot as video shown.
Cheers. ^^

Will there be more put up for auction?

You can simply buy the modified version or the ball core on my web store now, see below,

Hi Calvin,

making an affordable replacement core available is a huge service for all mosaic cube owners. I was avoiding the expensive shapeway version because it would have cost me almost the same as the actual cube.

Thanks!

I agree with you.
Thanks Calvin.

(But it is very difficult to take the Mosaic's corners off, I'm afraid to broken it.)

I made an example video of my Mosaic Cube modification (replacing the springs with spacers), including the installation of Calvin's Ball Core, and the performace.

http://youtu.be/HGRb-OKWniM

Cheers,
Burgo.

That is amazing. The Mosaic cube turns very well with the spacers.
Well done !

How long exactly are the spacers?

The spacers are about 12mm, I think (I didn't measure them), but they are just long enough so that the thread stays about 1mm inside the corner piece shaft (to allow for a bit of grip and flex), and has the maximum thread exposed.