Make a Cube Puzzle in Fusion 360

by whittlegears in Workshop > CNC

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Make a Cube Puzzle in Fusion 360

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For this project I decided to create a cube puzzle in Fusion 360. For this project I made a 4x4x4 cube which is pretty difficult to solve, but if you want to make it easier make it a 3x3x3 cube. I would highly recommend that you track where all the cubes go so you don't have to spend 30 minutes putting it back together. I attend the L&N Stem Academy. Unfortunately our Makerspace is currently being refurbished so our old CNC router has been taken apart and we are expecting a new one to arrive sometime in February. The files are linked below. If you don't have a cnc machine you can always convert it to an .stl file to 3d print it. If you would like the file in another format comment below.

Supplies

For this project you will need:

  1. A computer
  2. Fusion 360
  3. A CNC machine
  4. Some wood
  5. Canola oil or another wood polisher

Making the Cube

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For the first step you will want to sketch a square and then extrude it to make it into a cube. Then use the move feature along with the copy feature to make it into the size cube you want.

Making the Shapes

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After you have made the cube select a few small cubes with the move feature. The easiest way to do this is to use the drop-down menu Move > Object and select bodies. Then you can select a couple pieces, making sure that the overall object is possible to cnc. Then you will need to click modify > combine to combine the squares into one solid object. Once you have done that make sure there is an indent in the cube where you removed the shape. Repeat this step until you have removed all the objects from the cube.

Preparing the Objects

Once you have created all of the objects then use Rotate to arrange all of the objects the way you want to cnc them. After that move the objects onto the same plane. You should also make sure that there aren't any random cubes dispersed with the objects.

CNCing It

Then export it to a software such as MeshCam to get the toolpath. After that export the toolpath to the cnc machine. Then start the CNC print.

Finishing It

Once you are done CNCing it sand it down so that it is smooth. Then you can use canola oil or another polish. Some ways you can add on to this is by etching designs into the wood before you polish it or paint it instead of polishing it.