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I'm a Freelance Speedcube Designer. AMA

Sion

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Joined
Dec 13, 2015
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Location
New York
Is it possible for a kibiminx to have fully retracted centers and edges like cubic 2x2s?

I'm not exactly sure, since I've never actually tried it personally (The only Non WCA I've worked on is a speed Curvy Copter), but I can imagine that it has to do with the functionality, in that if the cubies were properly lined up to a flush finish, they wouldn't turn at all given their shape. I was going to say it might be similar to why you can't have a proportional 7x7, but upon thinking it over, it isn't the case because you can't make the proper sketch cuts (in that if it were proportional, the corners would be completely detached from their stalks because there just isn't enough room for it.

It's more of a : "You *can* do it, but if you do, it won't turn." Scenario. Take this with a grain of salt, though.
 

Sion

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Dec 13, 2015
Messages
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New York
How many prototypes does it take to get to the final product. Is there a way of telling a puzzle will be good at corner cutting or performance based on the design itself? Do you create the moulds for the part to be injection moulded or do you just produce the solid single-piece edges/corners to be sent off. Thanks


It really is more of a trial-error thing, so sometimes a cube will be good within the first few prototypes. Others not so much. At least in my case, I had to go through about eleven prototypes, four FDM printed, and four SLS printed. You do see and feel improvements the more you go.

Eventually I do create injection molded renders once I've tried and tested prototypes that I am overall satisfied with. My personal favorite split is a stickerless cap design because they allow for primary internals (which I for one find very pleasing to look at.)
 

Sion

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Dec 13, 2015
Messages
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Location
New York
What happened to project tempest? (From your threads a couple years back)

Someone finally asked!

It's actually very alive and well, though I haven't really said much about it. In fact, I've been working very actively on it behind the scenes. The current prototype is insanely good for something 3-D printed. Honestly it has such a new, refreshing, and unique feel that I feel the market needed for a very long time. For reference, it is stable without magnets (it will still have magnets anyway just to not be a detracting factor.. It is going places, though I can't say much on it, other than I really think you are going to absolutely enjoy the cube that comes out of the project.
 
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Cubinwitdapizza

Guest
So I kinda want to get in to 3D design, and design cubes and architecture (one of my favorite things ever). So do you recommend a particular software for a beginner, and a nice tutorial on how to use it. I really think it would be cool if I got into this and I might be able to even be your assistant one day (though I don’t think that will happen ).
 

Sion

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Joined
Dec 13, 2015
Messages
1,067
Location
New York
So I kinda want to get in to 3D design, and design cubes and architecture (one of my favorite things ever). So do you recommend a particular software for a beginner, and a nice tutorial on how to use it. I really think it would be cool if I got into this and I might be able to even be your assistant one day (though I don’t think that will happen ).


If you want to learn, I recommend these tutorials: (and use onshape.) I worked with Jonathan back in 2018 when I was unfamilliar with the software. He is one of the people who really set me off on a path for learning myself, and I will forever be in his debt for that:


I could always use an idea or a second opinion from someone who is knowledgeable about the subject.
 
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Cubinwitdapizza

Guest
If you want to learn, I recommend these tutorials: (and use onshape.) I worked with Jonathan back in 2018 when I was unfamilliar with the software. He is one of the people who really set me off on a path for learning myself, and I will forever be in his debt for that:


I could always use an idea or a second opinion from someone who is knowledgeable about the subject.
Thanks for that. Also, do you have to pay for onshape? If so can you direct me to a free cad designer (or just a fairly cheap one.)
EDIT: nvm
 
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Sion

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Dec 13, 2015
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New York
Can't wait to see what the tempest 3x3 is gonna be like, any estimates for the price if it gets mass produced?

I'm trying to aim it to be more of a flagship, but I don't exactly know how much I want it to be priced at. I was thinking maybe $30 for everything, though I'm not sure if the decision is ultimately up to me. I do feel that I might as well give it a price tag like $30, though, given the amount of effort and TLC I put into the actual base design (I hope that doesn't come off as entitled!)

Hoping to get it out next year, though, like all my other estimations, take it with a grain of salt.
 

Etotheipi

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Mar 21, 2019
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somewhere on the complex plane.
I'm trying to aim it to be more of a flagship, but I don't exactly know how much I want it to be priced at. I was thinking maybe $30 for everything, though I'm not sure if the decision is ultimately up to me.

Hoping to get it out next year, though, like all my other estimations, take it with a grain of salt.
k then, I probably won't be able to get it then, but it'd be great to see how it compares to other flagships out there. =D
 
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Cubinwitdapizza

Guest
What 3D
printer would you reccomend that is fairly cheap? Particularly the 200 to 400 dollar range or anything below that. I’m saving up for my own computer rn so I can’t put a lot of money into it until I have about 400 dollars.
 

Sion

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2015
Messages
1,067
Location
New York
What 3D
printer would you reccomend that is fairly cheap? Particularly the 200 to 400 dollar range or anything below that. I’m saving up for my own computer rn so I can’t put a lot of money into it until I have about 400 dollars.
I commissioned my public library and shapeways for my prototypes. However, Jonathan told me the new prusa printer is a steal.
 
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Cubinwitdapizza

Guest
I commissioned my public library and shapeways for my prototypes. However, Jonathan told me the new prusa printer is a steal.
are there only some libraries that do that and can you link to the printer? I can’t find anything named “prusa” on amazon.
 

Zain_A24

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Aug 14, 2019
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Is there a way of knowing what parts of a cube would modified if the cube lacks performance in certain aspects. For example, if the cube lacked cornercutting, how would that feedback be converted into a change in design?
 

Sion

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2015
Messages
1,067
Location
New York
Is there a way of knowing what parts of a cube would modified if the cube lacks performance in certain aspects. For example, if the cube lacked cornercutting, how would that feedback be converted into a change in design?

When you start and don't exactly know much, it is definitely more of a luck of the draw. However, as time goes on and you see what works and what doesn't, you learn do adapt and eventually you can predict errors before they happen.

The biggest error I've seen is actually in edge-rounding. It seems trivial, but trust me: it's not. if you do it improperly, you'll get an unusual edge-edge catch and the cube will come out unusually unstable. My suggestion is to use variable fillets or a chamfer-variable fillet combo if you want a more crescented look, though either should work well.

Another error to look out for is Corner-Screw snagging. the sharper the corner base, the greater the cube is at risk for a corner-screw snag. This can cause some serious locking if not addressed. The only reason why cubes like the RS2 and MoJue M3 have such pointy bases is because they are smaller than those of other cubes, meaning that the corner bases are too far away from the screw to be impacted. If you want to use a larger corner base, you'll need to use a larger fillet. It's why the bases on cubes such as the GTS2 and Valk 3 are so rounded out.

The biggest suggestion I have for centers is to make them match the outer fillet of the edges, which should mitigate some Edge-center snags.
 

Fredrick

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Joined
Aug 2, 2019
Messages
41
Just wondering when are you planning on having your project tempest being released to the public.
 
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