This is a premium 3D lesson plan. Premium content is available to licensed YSoft be3D eDee users. Become a licensed YSoft be3D eDee user.

Premium Lessons are available to licensed be3D eDee customers only. Contact us to become a licensed be3D eDee customer by purchasing our EDU bundle. Already using eDee? Request your customer access code.

PUZZLE BOX

A puzzle box (also known as a magic cube box and Soma cube) is a solid dissection puzzle invented by Piet Hein in 1933. Usually, six or seven pieces made from ‘unit cubes’, must be assembled into a 3 x 3 x 3 cube. The pieces can also be used to make a variety of other 3D shapes. In this lesson, students will research different Soma cube solutions before designing their own puzzle box design which they will then 3D print.

Subjects: Design and TechnologyScienceMathematicsComputing
Years | Grades: 8th Grade | 12-13 years9th Grade | 13-14 years10th Grade | 14-15 years11th Grade | 15-16 years
Duration: Lesson 1: 90 minutes Print Time : 1 to 2 hours

Objectives

Know the functional requirements of a Soma cube (Puzzle box)
Use TinkerCAD software to design a Soma cube optimized for 3D printing
Manufacture a Soma cube using a 3D printer

Tools and equipment

BE3D eDee printer
Set of example models
Access to a computer that can access the internet and TinkerCAD®
Paper pad and pencil
Printed lesson resources

Skill requirements

To participate in the lesson, students should be able to:

Use TinkerCAD, Fusion 360 or similar CAD software at an intermediate level
Be comfortable with the principles of PIP hinges and their design
Be comfortable using DeeControl software including adjusting print settings
Use the BE3D eDee 3D printer

3D models overview

Total print time 9 hours
Total filament 34.8 m
Additional non-printable components
Printed all at once

6 PIECE CUBE

1 hour 30 minutes
4.6 m

7 PIECE CUBE

1 hour 30 minutes
4.7 m

LARGE SOMA CUBE

6 hours
25.5 m

Note: Values are calculated for one set of models.

Lesson resources

Lesson plan
Example Soma puzzles
Worksheet
Walkthrough
Presentation
3D models
3D print instructions
Curriculum alignment

This is a premium 3D lesson plan. Premium content is available to licensed YSoft be3D eDee users. Become a licensed YSoft be3D eDee user.

Back to lessons