the Key to Time?

[Sorvan]

I just thought I'd mention something about casting resins.  If you're going to make one of these, you should really look at getting a UV Stable casting resin.  If you don't get a UV stable resin, while the parts might come out of the mold crystal clear, over time as the parts get subjected to UV light (such as from the sun), they will go yellow.

When resin catalyzes, it generates heat - and heat will speed up the catalyzing.  I've read about pots of mixed resin catching fire because they generated too much heat.  If someone really wants to try casting these pieces in one go, it would probably be best to contact the resin manufacturer to see what they think about it.  They may have an exceptionally slow setting resin and give you ideas on how to deal with the heat.

Another issue with casting all at once is air bubbles.  If you're pouring a very thick layer, is it going to be possible for tiny air bubbles to make it all the way to the surface, or will they get stuck somewhere in the middle?

Colin

[willytron]

So whatever happened to this thread?  Does anyone have plans to make the key?

[exilea]

So whatever happened to this thread?  Does anyone have plans to make the key?

Dude, I was totally gonna dig this one up today too! 

Let's not let this one die! I'm sure there are several board members (including myself) that want in on the production once these get figured out 

[Darksyde]

I currently have a version  of piece 5 in the works. It's only 5x5x5 as I had to scale down to save a bit on money. If it come out ok I'll post some pics but it will be few weeks before it's done. It will be a clear acrylic version of the paper foldy, snap the side together and whala. This means it won't be a perfectly smooth piece but I wanted something tangeable and in my hand. Saddly I don't think I'll be able to get the entire key made in this fassion as it sounds like some of the pieces have too many parts to interlock reliably.

Realy the only thing missing to actualy make a mold and try to cast a part are the angles. At 6x6x6 it should be pretty simple to do up plywood forms but to cut the propper angles we need to get the acual degrees on everything for each piece. I don't know how well it will go in practice but I think if one were to use finished play wood with that nice smoot white side and cut the pieces with the finish onthe inside you could do some nice molds so long as your angles are good and pieces fit together nice and tight. If the above mentioned piece I have in the works come out suitibly I may try to make a plywood or balsa wood version on my own. If I can get a small version done that all fits together just so, if I am not mistaken, then you can just mesure the angles and transfer them to a larger product. If I am remebering correctly when you up scale angles don't change just the size of the parts your putting together.

Also if th epeople that have constructed 3d modles could create one for each piece that is a 'water tight' .stl file and to scale it would also be possible to contact some rapid prototypeing and/or casting companys that could make a mold or white metal version. Also something I have considered when more money is available to me. though I"m not sure I can re-create the pieces in any 3d program I have access too. Not all that proficent with them I'm afraid. This also is best suited for smaller version of the cube.

[willytron]

Thats interesting.  It seems like a difficult prop to make, as it has so many angles.  I don't think that I could do it.  It has been nice to see how so many people jumped in and started mixing up ideas.  Even if nothing ever comes from it, this is a fun little thread to keep up with.

[karsthotep]

Any more work done on the Key to time? Additional research? prototypes?  Its been quiet a qhile so I thought I would check in and give the thread a bump.

Karsten

[Darksyde]

I paid to have a proto tipe of one piece done in clear acrylic Friday. It's only 5" design to save money. I am hopeing to have something or some word in the next few weeks. I've only done small purchases from the company before and this time it was more cost efective to purchase their 'prototype' package so I don't know exactly how long that might take.  When the I get it I'll post pics and let you know how it came out. It's not going to be purfect but atleast I'll have someting in my hand.

I have also been trying to think of the best way to make pieces from which to craft molds. My current thinking has led me away from makeing boxes with tempy middles to makeing th epieces out of solid wood to start. In theor it will leed to less worry over the anges at which parts meet since you are just worried over the antles your cuts meet at. Not sure if that makes any sense but it seems to work out simpler on paper mapping strait cuts than tryingn to plan out mitered cuts to make corners meet up properly and what not.

In doing some research on clear modeling supplys for simulating water I have also come accross some clear material that is sold in quite large quantities that may work well for a final pour but at this time it looks like we are a long way from anything that exciteing.

[karsthotep]

Well I can't wait to see the 5" proto,  its a start at least, its a big undertaking.  I look forward to seeing what comes of it. 

Karst

[Darksyde]

I was able to figure out a bit more of sketchup and I think I have all the pieces. My luck some of them are inside out but I don't have time tonight to try to piece them into the complete box to check the fit. I haven't actualy put together the paper modle so I don't have much experiance with putting the puzzle together.

Original files removed see below for final Sketchu Up file. I'll be  updateing that post as needed with newer cleaner versions as they are finished.

Brown texture added to mark external sides.

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/AllPieces-1.jpg[/img]

P.S. sorry my posts run long.

Lates!

[Darksyde]

teletran

I think I'ver pretty much refined the Sketch Up modles as much as I am able. If any one finds any missed errors feel free to give me a holar. Here is a link to the finished box and pieces and two pics of the final product. I color coded the pieces similar to an earlyer picture by Teletran which may help some of you with the paper modle if you so choose to put it together as well. Colors are numbered in the order of the full PDF and uses the modified pdfs for piece 1 and 4 (miystery piece)

Sketch Up File:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ce5xnbgw1be

Pics:
[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Complete20-1.jpg[/img]
[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/FinishedExploded-2.jpg[/img]

Blue - 1
Green - 2
Grey - 3
Purple - 4
Yellow - 5
Red - 6

[exilea]

I hope Teletran doesn't mind me doing this for him. Here are the segments as per his drawings:

[Teletran]

is anyone else starting to feel a little lost as to which segment is which?

[exilea]

is anyone else starting to feel a little lost as to which segment is which?

I was never quite sure, to be honest 

I hate being broke. I'd be all over this project if I had the spare change. I feel like I've even cheaped out on a little of my toolkit project

[Darksyde]

It has arrived.

I am quite happy with how this turned out but I don't think I'll have any more done. It wouldn't work that well with the pieces that have more parts than this one and I don't think they'd ever be able to for the final cube. But I have what I wanted, something tagable in my hand. Hopefully this will be more motivation for me to work toward an actual resin replica some day.

Finaly, if anyone is interested I can order some more up of my little one off project.

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Key_0048.jpg[/img]

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Key_0049.jpg[/img]

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Key_0050.jpg[/img]

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Key_0051.jpg[/img]

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Key_0053.jpg[/img]

[noIMG]http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/hightde/Key_0052.jpg[/img]

[exilea]

That looks better than I thought it would! Are the edges fairly smooth? I was worried that the edges on a snap-together design would interfere with assembly of the other segments.

I think I remember you said this was a 5" segment. How much did that cost vs. a 6" segment?