Hi,

I made this puzzle recently. I'm not sure that such a puzzle have been made before, maybe I just can't find it.
It looks like an ordinary 3x3x3. The orange, yellow and red faces move just normal 3x3 faces, the white face also moves so, but it does something in the inside. The two other faces are coupled, one can make slice or anti-slice moves on them, depends on the position of the white face. In two positions of the white face they turns to the same direction, in the other two postions they turns the opposite direction.

Video

Oskar: Why have you not thought up this?
Zsolt: This was meant as a great compliment. Would you allow us a look inside at the mechanism?

Andreas Nortmann wrote: ↑Sun May 01, 2022 2:22 am Zsolt: This was meant as a great compliment.

Thanks!

Andreas Nortmann wrote: ↑Sun May 01, 2022 2:22 am Would you allow us a look inside at the mechanism?

3x3x3 with spherical core, hollow inside Anti-slice state, centers disconnected, gears engaged Slice state, centers connected, gears disengaged Section view The orange part controls everything

That orange piece is genius...

Smoothly controls both the gear height and the axel connection. Bravo!

I notice that the name "Engage Cube" is still available ...
As is "Differential Cube"

What an ingenious idea and mechanism.
What about Contrary Cube?

What a cool idea! I'm surprised at how smooth it turns. Very cool.

Markube wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 1:41 pm I notice that the name "Engage Cube" is still available ...
As is "Differential Cube"

I find the name "Differential Cube" fitting.

Wow, this is one of the best original puzzle mechanisms I've seen in a very long time. Great work!

Very cool !!! Good job !!!

Very nice mechanism! I'm actually sad that all that is hidden inside the puzzle where it cannot be seen. I almost wish the inner sphere and the 3x3x3 pieces were all clear plastic and allowed one to see the functioning of the insides. Very very cool.

Carl

Thank you all for the kind words!

Markube wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 1:41 pm I notice that the name "Engage Cube" is still available ...
As is "Differential Cube"

Skallos wrote: ↑Tue May 03, 2022 2:18 pm I find the name "Differential Cube" fitting.

I like the name "Differential Cube".

For Andreas:
The puzzle's weight is 122 grams, and the edge length is 60mm.

zsé wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:50 am For Andreas:
The puzzle's weight is 122 grams, and the edge length is 60mm.

Thank you.
BTW: I am blown away too by that mechanism.

Agree with the other comments, that mechanism needs to be visible at all times. Perhaps a white-body wireframe core and parts with brightly-colored internals? It looks doable.

I think it would also help the solve experience of the puzzle, to be able to intuitively tell what the turns are available based on the position of the mechanism. Personally I’m not a fan of puzzles with hidden/restricted moves that are not immediately apparent.

wwwmwww wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 12:18 pm Very nice mechanism! I'm actually sad that all that is hidden inside the puzzle where it cannot be seen. I almost wish the inner sphere and the 3x3x3 pieces were all clear plastic and allowed one to see the functioning of the insides. Very very cool.

Carl

I agree, this is really cool. Clear outside plastic would be awesome.