First off: if you appreciate this design, please click like! This is my entry into the Prusaprinters design competition, and clicking like would help out a lot!

The Planetary Gear Puzzle Box consists of two mazes that must be solved simultaneously in order to open the box. An example of the internal mechanism is shown below: turning the central knob on top rotates the pin within the smaller maze, and turning the entire lid rotates the pin within the larger maze. By rotating both the central knob and the entire lid in sequence, the box will open.

Print Instructions

Pre-sliced gcodes are available, but if you would like to prepare your own, follow the instructions below.

Planetary Gear Lid

There are two versions of the lid to chose from: PlanetaryGearLid, and PlanetaryLidTactile. The tactile lid is a bit easier to solve, as you are able to feel endpoints in the internal maze. Otherwise, both lids function identically. Files have also been prepared for multicolor print using an MMU. I don't own an MMU (sadly), so if you print this version, please share your results in the comments section.

Layer Height: 0.2

Supports: None

Material: PLA

Print orientation is shown below:

Box Base

Layer Height: 0.2

Supports: None

Material: PLA

Print orientation is shown below:

Knob

Layer Height: 0.2

Supports: None

Material: PLA

Print orientation is shown below:

Assembly

The Knob snaps into a rectangular cutout in the central gear of the Planetary Gear Lid as shown below. Once you have attached the two parts together, you're all set! Have fun with this puzzle :)

Change Log

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Jul 27 - added tactile lid for GuyH, updated BoxBase for greater durability