For our ME514 project, our team is designing a cube that provides an outlet for a number of fidgety behaviors. This behaviors include clicking a pen, rolling a bead, squeezing a stress ball or even just bending that little clip at the end of a pen. The idea is based off the fidget cube idea on Kickstarter:
Figure 1: The original Fidget Cube [1]
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/antsylabs/fidget-cube-a-vinyl-desk-toy
Our idea is to optimize the cube to fidget cube for the additive manufacturing process of fusion deposition modeling (FDM). The goal behind our cube is to produce a cheaper and faster alternative that could be made on any typical FDM printer.
Design ideas
1) Mechanisms
- Ball bearing
- Sliders
- Joystick
- Buttons
- Pen holder
2) Textures
- Smooth
- Rough
- Pointy
3) Have a central cube with interlocking “sides” to allow for the possibility of interchangeable sides
Goals
1) Have 6 unique sides to fit different “fidgety” behaviors
- Have 3 or more mechanisms
- Have 3 or less static sides
2) Optimize the print for FDM printing
3) Require no additional tools besides the ultimaker 3D printer
4) Have an end user “feel” to the final product
Requirements
1) Have 3 or more mechanisms
2) Have 3 or less static sides
3)Ensure that each mechanism works
- Doesn’t stick or break
- Have a reasonable tolerance
References:
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“Fidget Cube: A Vinyl Desk Toy.” Kickstarter. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2017.