Hi!

Like I promised, here's the disclosed mechanism of the Clockwork 4x4x4. Logically, it consists of 3 layers.

Layer 1. 2x2x2. More or less standard approach where some elements of 3x3x3 are fused to the spider.

Layer 2. Geared Mixup.
8 corners of 2x2x2 core hold 18 square elements ("face centers" and "edges") and let them slide along 3 circular paths:
Each of the 18 squares is connected to a 4-teeth gear and upper square elements. When the faces of 2x2x2 are turned, for example, by 90°, it makes 8 gears shift along the circle by 45° and make a half-turn-around, so that the structure actually replicates itself. You may notice that this Geared Mixup core is identical to the Oskar's Geared Mixup. I don't see any possibility to make it any other way, because only 4-teeth gears can function in 2 crossing directions.

Layer 3. 4x4x4.
Each gear has a 3 times smaller 4-teeth gear on top.

These smaller gears work in second geared layer. When they are turned, they push 2 middle layers in opposite directions. Like I said, the gears turns by 180° (2 teeth) at each 90°-turn of the outer face, so 3x90° turns of the outer face (single move of the Clockwork 4x4x4 cube) mean 3/2 turn-arounds or gear, that is 6 teeth-shift (45°) of the middle layers with respect to the gears.So, what we have after 3x90° turns of the outer face: middle layers turn by -45° and +45°, the outer faces turn by -135° and +135° (3 times faster) - and there's 90° between all neighbouring layers.

And some more pics:

If someone finds it interesting, here's a compilation of sketches that were drawn in development process :

Wow thats astonishing! I knew it must be complicated after seeing your demonstration, but seeing the inside just emphasises how impressive this design is. fabulous work!

That is a very impressive piece of design, something I would not have believed possible. Did you use SolidWorks?

That looks absolutely incredible! It seems such a shame to hide all of that away inside!

wow.

What a work of art that mechanism is!

Great Job Timur

WOW!!! That is beautiful!!! I had NO idea this had a geared mixup inside. Truly a work of art.Have you seen this? It looks like an 8-tooth gear could also work. Though I have no idea which would be better for this application. Just wanted to point that out.

And one small minor request/question... I feel like a 2 year old that can't finger paint making a request of Leonardo da Vinci. Could you pull in the radius of the cut out on the wing pieces so they line up with the radius of the cut out on the face centers (the red circle).

This would fill in the area I've tried to highlight with gray and avoid the appearance of the gap seen on the right (red arrow). Or is this needed for some reason that I'm not seeing?

Truely in awe,
Carl

P.S. Looking closer... I just noticed you'd have to remove the cut out on the other side of the wing pieces to get the effect I was after too.

Your puzzles never cease to amaze me, Timur! Very well done… definitely a masterpiece!!!

Thanks for sharing the development process pdf also. I always enjoy seeing the story behind these puzzles!

Yes, that's the only 3D modelling software I've ever worked with.It seems like all 4 edges around a center have to turn, else 2 of them would block the movement. Ok, I'll do it if you say you'll order it I hope there'll be no problems with powder escape.Thanks, Jay!

I have an air compressor which I use to blow all the power out of my puzzles before cleaning and dying. Besides it looks like there are plenty of holes in that part. I see there are even some on the bottom.

I just like the puzzle to have the appearance of solid cubies while turning. So I think you'd just need to remove the hole from one side of the wing, and make the hold on the other side of the wing smaller. The holes on the bottom are fine. And I don't think any piece other then the wing would need to be changed... though I guess there are two mirror copies of that part.

Oh and YES I'll order it. I'd even be happy to post pics and a video once I get it too.

Carl