No Problem Puzzle Mods

There is a bit of a story to the release of these mods. Theo Geernick & Symen Hovinga created over 100 amazing puzzles through No Problem Puzzles (NPP). However, Symen died and Theo released all NPP puzzles through Andreas Röver (author of BurrTools). These puzzles were designed only to be printed on NPP printer(s). Add to this, a hardware fault that caused the design files to be lost and some minor flaws in the existing, original puzzle STL files may exist.

When I discovered NPP designs, I was extremely impressed with the puzzles and printed most of the initial offerings.

As I found minor problems, or just for aesthetic reasons, I remodeled some of puzzles using Fusion 360.  I offered those mods here so that users might have a better printing and puzzling experience. Theo & Andreas asked me to officially make many of my mods available through Andreas’ Printables site at:

 https://www.printables.com/@AndreasR_29096/models 

So some of the designs on the site above contain my newer STLs, based strictly on the original puzzle pieces. When they do, Andreas has also provided the original NPP STL files. 

Some of the original NPP models were published and I found improvements later and so published those updates here. Once an NPP puzzle is published it is quite a bit of work to update an entire collection.

Most of the mods below were printed with 0.2mm layer height and 2 perimeters. Generally I use PLA, but have created models with PETG as well. Most parts work fine at 0.3mm layer height, but you will want certain detailed sections (such as dovetails) to be 0.2mm which you can do with variable layer height.

The mods below are for the following NPP puzzles:

Squeezy: In this puzzle, the right, lower dovetail was undersized by about 20% which does not permit the 2 frame pieces to slide properly. One solution is just to break the part, but that is unnecessary. I fixed the bad dovetail and now the frame pieces will slide properly, whether using PLA or PETG. Update: V3 As I've worked with this puzzle, I realized it is a bit fiddly when you go to do the initial "squeeze". I extended the dovetail ends (see pic above) about 2.5mm and now it is a bit clearer when they should engage. I find this helps make the puzzle a bit more obvious when you have the correct solution. This STL is the CV3 mod.

UnMatchBox: The STL of the split box has a section that is much too thin to print reliably. And so the provided STL has a more reliable split. You may need to pry it apart with a screwdriver if using PETG. But this should allow you to open the box to insert it around the main box part. You can then glue the edges closed, or leave as is.

Sliding Doors: In this puzzle, because the top of the “door” is too thin, it is possible to twist a part free which is not in the intended solution. To fix this issue, I created a door with a much thicker top wall. I also had to modify the base to accept this door. While I modified the base, I also battered in the walls a bit to help with the friction fit of the doors. 

Garage Box: When closing door after inserting the final piece, it scrapes that piece. There should be a bevel on that piece's edge. These pieces permit the garage door to shut smoothly without scraping the paint. Mostly a more aesthetic final closing of the garage door. 

iBOX: After solving the puzzle, I could not retrieve the parts out of the box. One stuck and caused a road block. This modded box/lid features a dovetail and so the lid is removable which makes the puzzle infinitely easier to test and retrieve pieces. This works great on my printer and all parts will slide both in and out through the V-shapped opening at the top of the lid. I used matte PLA. Picture of the box is above. I printed the box at 0.3mm layer until the dovetail section then went 0.1mm with variable layer height. But printing it entirely at 0.2mm layer is fine. Lid should be 0.2mm layer height. Print the LID in the orientation given (widest part up).

JIGSAW BOX: Here is a box and lid if you wish to package the parts to take to a puzzle session, or other event. I printed at 0.3 layer height. Do not use vase mode or lid will be loose. 

Side Impact: The Side Impact frame has a long bridge. I've broken the frame into two parts you can glue together and provided pieces that have individual cube shapes. You may not want to glue the bar in the frame immediately as it is easier to test configurations by putting the pieces in the box and laying the black "gate" over top! I added text to the black "gate for added decoration and provided the pieces are shaped as individual cubes, if you prefer this look. If you need a hint, look at the zip file. Inside you'll find picture of the solved puzzle which can provide some positional help.

Slats: If you take 2 slat pieces and put the protrusion inside one and slide it back and forth it will rub/hit on the protrusion piece of the other because the designer did not allow any tolerance for slight bridge "droop"(both top and underside are 5mm in distance). This STL fixes that so pieces slide freely on top of one another. Print 4 at either 0.2 or 0.3 layer height.

Drawbridge: I had a request for the pieces for Drawbridge so included them in one STL. Just use what you want.

No Picnic Basket: When I printed the original box and strap/lid, there wasn't enough play in the strap to permit the "3 pointed" (or tripod) part to enter the box. This strap works much better. I used 3 perimeters to make the strap solid. It should pull apart, you can then install in the box and then you must glue the edges. Apply some small force on the ends until the glue dries.

Ringed Tetras: In the zip package under "Other Files" are the STLs for the Ringed Tetras puzzle that I made at 80% size (12mm voxel). Print all as oriented. The lid should press fit, but also be removable. I recommend to print identical pieces in one color, similar to the picture.

Houdini Drawer: The drawer face that slips over one end of the drawer was a little too wide and might have required some post processing (ie: filing/sanding). The file here is a little narrower. If anyone uses it, let me know if I've narrowed it enough.

Darwins Drawer: The PDF describing how to program an RFID, if you wish to put one into the puzzle case is located below in the OTHER FILES.

ToggleBox: The original Toggle Box has a disc that can be somewhat easily dislodged. I redid the lid design to make it more robust. The distribution for all files is in the "toggleBoxDistro.zip" file in OTHER FILES. A picture of the model is above. I also added a knob to the disc as it is sometimes prone to jamming slightly.