Dirk H. Dykstra Block Puzzle

Dirk H. Dykstra Block Puzzle

Dirk H. Dykstra applied for a patent for his mechanical puzzle in January 1988. Now, decades later anyone with a 3D printer can create one.

But can anyone solve it?

Printing

Choose which files to print:

• Option 1 (recommended): download and print all pieces at once
  • ALL_PIECES_Dirk_H_Dykstra.stl
• Option 2: download and print each piece individually
  • ( 3 ) Dirk_H_Dykstra_A.3mf
  • ( 3 ) Dirk_H_Dykstra_B.3mf

Just about any settings should work. The only rule is do not use a brim. I printed with PLA using 15% infill, 0.35mm layer height, and a 0.6mm nozzle.

Please post your makes! I want your feedback!

Solving

Are you solving it yourself, or giving it to a friend?

• Solving it yourself: Print all the pieces. Try to assemble it using only the picture of the completed puzzle.
• Giving it to a friend: Print all the pieces. Follow the instructions in full_solution.pdf to assemble it. Tell your friend the goal is to first take the puzzle apart, and then put it back together.

About this model

I was reading old mechanical puzzle patents, as normal people often do, when Dirk H. Dykstra's puzzle (United States patent US5040797A) stood out to me as easy to 3D print. Figuring out the dimensions was a puzzle in itself, but now that I have them I'm sharing it with you!