Earth Cube: a Rubik's style Puzzle Globe!

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This was one of the first concepts I ever designed for 3D printing, all the way back in 2010! Back then it was a model of only 30mm in diameter that was designed to print as cheaply as possible with SLS printing. This is a completely redesigned version that is designed to be printed with two colors creating an intriguing puzzle ‘cube’:

Solving

1. The cube solves like a picture cube (just search for a tutorial), so you can solve it normally but keep the orientation of the centers correct! Algorithms that rotate the center cannot be used or should be used multiple times.
2. Normally with a picture cube you can have a rotated center in the end, so make sure you end on the pacific ocean face where the center has no orientation (in other words, start on the Europe/Africa side)

Parts

1. You need 6 M3 bolts of 10-12mm length and optionally 6 small springs (ID 3mm, L 6mm) for constant pressure.

Smooth operation

You will be able to use the cube without any post processing, but for smooth operation:

1. For smooth operation, file down all the edges as shown in the images
2. Lastly you can add some lubrication for optimal smoothness. It will never be a speed-cube but smooth operation is possible!

Assembly (see images)

Preparation:

1. Optionally: file down the print lines on the edges
2. Slide the optional springs over the bolts
3. These bolts will go though the center
4. When screwing in the center, make sure there is a tiny bit of play left
5. Start by laying out the pieces in a organized way
6. Screw in all the centers in the right place and orientate them correctly
7. Place the edges and corners of the south pole in the correct place (still with the centers correct)
8. Push in the edges of the equator leaving one spot open
9. Use this spot to slide in most of the north pole pieces in one at a time and rotate them through (keep the north pole center orientation in line with these pieces)
10. When having three north pole pieces left, press in the last equator piece first
11. Place the last two corners of the north pole, leaving only one spot for the last edge piece
12. With the north pole rotated at 45 degrees it is possible to press in the last edge piece
13. Rotate the north pole until in aligns again with the rest of the cube, and you are finished! Just press the stand together, put in the cube.

And other than that, have fun cubing! The solving is more challenging than a regular cube, so it can be handy to use the cheat sheet with all 6 sides with your first solves. And if you are unable to solve the Globe, just disassemble and assemble again :)

Happy Printing!

- Rossero