Modding Cube (probably Zhanchi) with magnets?

[PeelingStickers]

good luck nice idea

 

[ncube]

I think that with individual little magnets, the cube would rotate kind of jerkily. So, what if there could be strips of magnets that go along the whole piece? I think that would create smoothest rotation. I have in mind flexible fridge magnets because one could cut those and shape them pretty easily. Another Idea is to replace the spring in the center with two neodynium ring magnets. I measured my washers, and ordered some ring magnets with the same size, but they are slightly too wide An issue with the magnets in centers is that the screw would have to be non-magnetic, or else there would be some stickage to it. Diagram of the screw + ring magnets:

head of screw
N | N
S | S <-ring magnet
|
S | S <-flipped ring magnet
N | N
|

Edit: the line representing the screw got messed up somehow. It's supposed to be continuous.

 

[Hermanio]

I think that with individual little magnets, the cube would rotate kind of jerkily. So, what if there could be strips of magnets that go along the whole piece? I think that would create smoothest rotation. I have in mind flexible fridge magnets because one could cut those and shape them pretty easily. Another Idea is to replace the spring in the center with two neodynium ring magnets. I measured my washers, and ordered some ring magnets with the same size, but they are slightly too wide An issue with the magnets in centers is that the screw would have to be non-magnetic, or else there would be some stickage to it. Diagram of the screw + ring magnets:

head of screw
N | N
S | S <-ring magnet
|
S | S <-flipped ring magnet
N | N
|

Edit: the line representing the screw got messed up somehow. It's supposed to be continuous.

That's a great idea! I believe that there are metals which are non magnetic so this could work. This would stop the problem with the springs where they scrape the washers or plastic or anything like that.

About the main project: I believe this would be kind of hard to pull off correctly but if done well this would be AWESOME!

 

[Genesis]

Come to think of it, is it possible to have ring shaped magnets under the washer and change the spring to a shorter one?

 

[mark49152]

Cool thread. I quite like the idea of non-smooth rotation where the cube prefers to settle in an aligned state. I would try putting magnets all of the same polarity in the centers and corners, with none in the edges.

 

[Maccoboy]

Cool thread. I quite like the idea of non-smooth rotation where the cube prefers to settle in an aligned state. I would try putting magnets all of the same polarity in the centers and corners, with none in the edges.

that wouldn't really work as you would have to have 3 magnets in each corner and 4 in each center piece in the inside corners and there isnt really room for strong enough magnets

 

[mattch00]

Depending on the amount of trouble it takes to get the magnets in I would say about $15-20 usd is a fair price.

EDIT:
On second thought maybe $20-35 usd.

 

[TwisterTimmy]

Very VERY interested in seeing the results of this mod! If anyone is able to finish the mod (whether its a success or fail) do post a video! (please?)

 

[PianoCube]

Edge
..N.......... N..
........N........
Centre

how about putting the magnets in the "corners" of the centers instead? (4 in each center) It should work just as good and require fewer magnets.

 

[Maccoboy]

just ordered a black diy zhanchi, lube and the magnets, already got glue, will be making this as soon as they have arrieved and ill post a video and high res pics of the results and process

 

[PeelingStickers]

good luck

 

[Kattenvriendin]

I will be following that vid and all with interest!

 

[ncube]

Darn, just noticed that flexible fridge magnets stick to each other somehow.

 

[mark49152]

that wouldn't really work as you would have to have 3 magnets in each corner and 4 in each center piece in the inside corners and there isnt really room for strong enough magnets

Well, I'm not sure what your current plan is, but my thinking was that if you use attraction between edge and center, when the displacement of the layer is much less than 45 degrees only a small component of the force would be acting to move the layer, with most of the force acting to pull the pieces tighter together and increase friction. The layers probably would not fully align.

On the other hand, if you use repulsion between centers and corners, forces would be greatest (magnets closest) at the 45 degree point decreasing friction and pushing the puzzle away from that mid-way point. As the layers approach alignment and the force weakens with increasing distance between the magnets, it is acting in the more efficient direction (tending towards parallel to movement) so you're more likely to get alignment. I would expect it to feel like there is some resistance as you turn a layer towards 45 degrees, then after you pass that point there's a kind of "snap" effect helping the layer onwards towards 90 degrees.

As for size and siting of magnets, maybe you are right. One magnet in the base of each corner (closest to the core) would probably suffice but given that there's no room to center a magnet in the center pieces, yes you would probably need four per center. How well it works would probably also depend on equal strength and accurate placement of the magnets, equal tensions on each face, good lubing, and all sorts of other things, but hey this is all experimentation anyway and who knows how well it will work

Actually although I've never thought of magnets I have wondered before whether weighting the corners of a cube might give it a good feel.

Anyway good luck and looking forward to seeing your vid!

 

[Maccoboy]

yeah i think its possible to do that way and as ill have 52 magnets spare all ill need is another cube to test it on, s ill probably try once i get another zhanci

also about it being weighed im also thinking of filling or partially fill parts of a zhanchi with epoxy to try to do the same thing as you were thinking
so many mods to try lol

 

[Maccoboy]

I have begun the process, i have 100 1mmx5mm neodymium magnets and am gluing 48 of them into the center and edge pieces of a dayan zhanchi sticker-less

This shows the strength of the magnets used, there holding up a screwdriver
http://assets4.pinimg.com/upload/325596248029937776_1gliCSCb.jpg

This shows the placement of the magnets inside the pieces and how they are still fairly strong even through the plastic
http://assets3.pinimg.com/upload/325596248029937773_tzh8hlMv.jpg

This is how i made sure the placement of the magnet was perfect, i used another magnet on the outside of the piece to hold the other in place while the glue dried
http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/325596248029937770_5P3MROxg.jpg

sorry the photos aren't that great and i tried to add them to the post without having to use links but there too big :/

 

[Maccoboy]

im still in the process of finishing the whole cube, ill upload more pics and hopefully some video soon

 

[Veerexx]

This sounds quite interesting *Adds to followed threads*

 

[panyan]

im still in the process of finishing the whole cube, ill upload more pics and hopefully some video soon

Im looking forward to it

 

[Maccoboy]

just finished the cube, will try to make a video and post it tomorrow and hopefully some better pics too ;P

in case anyone is wondering about the polarity's what i did was all the center pieces have a magnet with N pointing outwards and all of the edge pieces have a magnet with S pointing inwards, this way the pieces will always attract to each other, even if turned around.
This also means that inside each edge piece the magnets repel each other, not strong enough to push the edge piece apart but enough to stop them pulling to each other and possible breaking the glue over time.