Puzzle Cube Challenge

Puzzle Cube Criteria and Constraints
• Given 27 wood blocks, assemble a 3x3x3 puzzle cube.
• The cube must be made of 5 puzzle pieces, no more, no less.
• Each puzzle piece may be assembled from 3 to 6 wood blocks.
• You may not repeat any of the puzzle pieces in a given cube.
• Make your cube as challenging to solve as possible! (we'll have a contest!)


Deliverables

1) Possible Puzzle Pieces
• How many individual puzzle pieces are possible for 3, 4, 5 and 6 cubes?
• Draw as many as you can with a 1:1 ratio of squares to cubes on isometric graph paper.
• Submitted and graded as a team effort.

2) 2 or More Puzzle Cube Solutions
• Use your 27 cubes and tape to model at least two possible cube solutions.
• Solutions must adhere to our Criteria and Constraints.
• Record the puzzle pieces for each of your solutions on isometric paper.
• Use the shading techniques we've learned for isometric drawings.
• Choose a solution and specify why you selected it.

3) Build Your Cube
• Use Elmer's glue to glue up the pieces of your chosen solution.
• Color each piece of your cube a distinct color using our class crayons.

4) Step By Step Instructions
• Using isometric paper, create step by step instructions that shows how to solve your cube.
• Each step must show the assembly from the previous step and how the next piece fits in with them ("x+y=z").
• Use the shading techniques we've learned for isometric drawings.

5) CAD Modelling
• Create an assembly of each of your pieces in Inventor.
• Create an assembly of your entire cube in Inventor.
• Create Multiview drawings of each of your pieces in Inventor.
• Create an explosion of your cube assembly in an Inventor Presentation (.ipn) file.
• Animate your explosoion. Make sure you sequence the movement of your pieces so that they don't overlap each other while in motion.
• Record your animation and post the video to your blog.

Happy Halloween!

We're going to make virtual pumpkins in class today... how awesome of a pumkin can you make?

Post your pumpkin to your blog to show us what you can do (choose export>image from the Inventor menu to save a screen shot of your work. Then post the image to your blog):



A pumpkin in progress:

Inventor Basics: Assembly Challenge

Overview
We've learned how to make a Part in Inventor, now it's time to understand how we can combine Parts into an Assembly.

A Part is a collection of data regarding a single object. Because we're using a digital format, we can leverage the power of our computers to rapidly create multiple instances of a single object:



Constraints can be applied to lock the parts in relation to each other:






Process
• Create a part that represents a single wooden cube. Use a ruler to measure the wood cube and create the part to scale.
• Choose one of the puzzle assorted puzzle cube parts that we have in class (see examples available in image below).
• Use Inventor to create an Assembly of the chosen puzzle cube part using the single wood cube Part.
• Post a photo of the puzzle cube piece you chose to model (you may use your lap top or cell phone to capture an image) and a corresponding screenshot of your assembly.




Achievements:
Post evidence of all achievements earned to your online portfolio (click here to see an example). Tally the total number of Achievements earned and start your post with "I earned X achievements for this challenge" where X is the number you earned.
"1st Assembly" - Post a photo of a puzzle piece (use webcam or smartphone) and then a screen shot of an Inventor assembly of it.
"2nd Assembly" - Post a photo of a second puzzle piece (use webcam or smartphone) and then a screen shot of an Inventor assembly of it.
"3rd Assembly" - Post a photo of a third puzzle piece (use webcam or smartphone) and then a screen shot of an Inventor assembly of it.
"4th Assembly" - Post a photo of a fourth puzzle piece (use webcam or smartphone) and then a screen shot of an Inventor assembly of it.
"5th Assembly" - Post a photo of a fifth puzzle piece (use webcam or smartphone) and then a screen shot of an Inventor assembly of it.
"Give Help" - Help your classmates. Describe a specific case of help you gave someone else.
"Recieve Help" - Solicit and recieve help from a classmate. Describe who helped you and how.
"I'm the Assembly Master!" - Create an assembly of the monster tower of power below (this could be tough...):

Inventor Basics: Brick Examples

These are some examples of CAD "Bricks" made out of Inventor parts for the ED "Brick by Brick" Challenge:

The "Brick by Brick" Challenge

This challenge is an opportunity to apply what we've learned about
making Parts in Inventor. As a "Challenge", this is an open ended, Achievement based format. Earn as many Achievements as you can. Your final score is curved against the class average.

Overview:
The Tiki Brick Co. is looking to create a digital design archive of their legacy brick products.

Criteria:
Create 3D digital parts of the below Brick designs.

Constraints:
• 3D parts will be rendered using our Autodesk Inventor software
• All work must be your own but you are encouraged to collaborate with your classmates for pointers/advice.
• Save your files for future reference.


Achievements (These are how you earn points!):
• Create a post titled The "Brick by Brick" Challenge
• At the top of the post, list the number of Achievements you've earned ("Total Achievements Earned = X")
• Write a one or two sentence summary regarding making parts in Inventor (your blog is an online portfolio/reference so provide context for readers from outside of our course).
• Justify each Achievement you've earned. Post the title of the Achievement and an image of your part (use the main menu in inventor to save an image of each part you complete).
• We're just learning the basics of making parts so we're not yet focused on using exact measurements in our designs. Your parts must be roughly proportional (correct number of faces/curves, similar proportions) to the Bricks in question. If there is any doubt, we'll put it to a jury of your peers. Your instructor has the final verdict. Don't worry about texture details, we're just looking at the shapes of the product.




Achievement - The "Basic" Brick
A straightforward part shape to start with. Click here to see an example Inventor Part.




Achievement - The "T-Bone" Brick
This shape adds a few more sides to the basic brick. Click here to see an example Inventor Part.






Achievement - The "Axe Head" Brick
Now we'll experiment with using curves.





Achievement - The "Tri-Pole" Brick
More complexity with our curved shape.








Achievement - The "MC Escher" Brick
Can you figure out something like this?!



Achievement - The "Make Your Own" Brick
Use Inventor to design your own Brick. Post an image of the result.

Achievement - "Seek Help"
Ask a classmate for help. To earn the achievement list who helped you and what they helped you with.

Achievement - "Lend a Helping Hand"
Lend help to a classmate. To earn the achievement list who you helped and what you helped them with.

Inventor Basics: Making Parts

In our Inventor software, a "Part" is the basic building block one uses to put together a more complex design. Once you've created one or more parts, you may put them together into an "Assembly".

We will review the process of creating an Inventor part in class today.


If you need to review how to make a part, here are some useful links:

• Click here to follow a step by step tutorial on making a part in Inventor

• Here is the first in a series of youtube videos that demonstrates how to make sketches, which are then extruded into a 3D shape.