Travel X's & O's
A version of Noughts and Cross (Tic-Tac-Toe), modelled in Tinkercad which can then be created using a suitable CNC machine. In this case a 3D printer.
Most people will at one time or another have played this game, most commonly using pencil and paper.
I wanted to create a different version in a 3D form.
But rather than having pieces that you place in a grid, multi faceted pieces will already be positioned and attached within the grid but with the ability to be turned around a horizontal axis to reveal a Nought or a Cross as required.
This maintains all the pieces together in a self contained unit that allows, play, transportation and storage all in one.
In the event that the game is not being played it will not look out of place displayed on a shelf as decorative item in its own right.
Supplies
Design
The design consists of two main elements a cube and the frame piece that forms the grid.
The cube has three faces designated for the playing symbols from nought to cross and back to nought and a blank with the remaining 2 faces through which a spindle protrudes.
Each cube is independently supported enabling selection of the required face by rotation about the spindle.
All 9 cubes are exactly the same being created from one design element that is simply duplicated.
The frame piece is one element consisting of a rectangle with 4 slots and six depressions that is duplicated seven times, these slot together to form the grid into which each cube fits.
No glue is required to maintain integrity, the frame is held in place by interlocking overlapping slots. Although, glue can be applied for ultimate permanence.
Tinker It
The designs are created in Tinkercad resulting in two files.
The cube.
This is 20mm x 20mm x 20mm with a 3mm diameter hole running horizontally from left to right.
Counter relief text on the top face in the form of the letter X with an O on the front and back faces whilst on the bottom is placed a dot which represents the start position of the pieces prior to commencement of the game.
TinkerCAD file https://www.tinkercad.com/codeblocks/9M9Rh8011hA
The frame.
This is 134mm x 25mm x 5mm into which are placed 4 slots of 5mm x 6mm x 12.5mm with 40mm spacing.
Three 3mm holes are placed along the midline of the flat face at 40mm intervals these holes are repeated on the reverse side.
Into these holes fit the spindles around which the cubes rotate.
TinkerCAD file https://www.tinkercad.com/codeblocks/4gugVggDtK7
Object files are created for onward processing and 3d printing.
Slicing
The resulting object files are loaded into Cura to create the Gcode file required for printing.
Only one object type is required to be loaded at a time as Cura allows any object to be duplicated within the print area.
In this case the cube object is accompanied by an additional two copies for a total of three cubes
The frame object is accompanied by an additional three copies for a total of four frames.
The printer settings for both the cube and the frame are the same.
The cubes are printed in three batches of three cubes each with each batch in a different colour.
The frames are printed in two batches of four frames each with each batch in a different colour.
The resulting Gcode files are submitted to the 3D printer.
Printer settings:
Layer Height - 0.15mm
Infill - Tri Hexagon
Infill Percentage - 50%
Base Adhesion - Brim
3D Printing
The cubes are printed in three different colours, these are red, green and yellow.
The frames are printed in two colours red and black.
Multiple colours are chosen to make the game standout but for simplicity it could be printed in one colour or any colour options that you prefer.
Post Processing
Once all the elements have been printed post processing is required prior to assembly.
First remove the brim, this involves cutting off the excess with a knife, cutters, sanding or a combination.
Once the brim is removed and all the edges are smooth ensure all the holes are uniformly deep.
Apply a 3mm drill to enlarge the holes if required
Frame Assembly
Assemble the frame starting with the outer perimeter.
At this stage any difference in the width in the slot will be evident, this may impede assembly with the slots being too narrow or being too loose. Too tight remove some material, too loose apply some clear tape.
Don't apply any glue during this stage as you need to be able to adjust the frame during fitting of the cubes.
Just make sure that everything fits together snugly.
Once the perimeter has been fitted place the inner frame pieces.
Repeating the process as necessary as applied for the perimeter until all the pieces fit together.
Cube Preparation
The cubes may require some post processing to remove any rough edges by sanding, filing or trimming.
in addition the hole passing through the cube needs to be able to accommodate the skewer.
Therefore, passing a 3mm drill through the hole will ensure its clear and uniform all the way through.
The skewers are nominally 3mm but being a natural product do vary in diameter a little and sanding will reduce the diameter whilst making the surface smoother making them easier to pass through the hole.
If the skew is too loose select another and/or do not apply sanding too heavily.
A short length of skewer is cut to ~40mm to make the spindle and the ends are rounded by sanding to fit in two horizontally opposite depressions.
Check the spindle for a snug fit in the frame prior inserting into the cube. As its easier to remake a spindle than trying to remove the spindle from the cube that too tight a fit.
The spindle should be a snug fit in the cube, which once fitted in the frame should be able to rotate but maintain its resting position. This is to ensure that when in play the pieces do not move except when positioned by a player.
Metal rods can be used in place of skewers if required.
Cube Fitting
Taylor and fit each cube for its final resting place in groups of three.
This is accomplished by partially sliding out one of the centre cross pieces either a horizontal or a vertical.
Decide on your colour combination select a cube and insert one end of the spindle in to a depression in the frame piece that has not been partially extracted. The other end going into the partially extracted frame piece.
Repeat the process with the other two cubes to complete the row or column and once aligned slide the partially extracted frame back into place which should lock the pieces in place.
Repeat the process for the other two rows or columns depending on the selected build orientation.
Let Play Commence
Having completed the build all that now remains is to find an opponent and play the game.
Find a partner, decide on who will be cross and who will be noughts.
Cross goes first than nought alternating between the two.
The winner being the one who gets three of the same symbols in a row, column or diagonal first.
Unless, no one is able to form a line of three of the same symbols in which case its a drawn match.
Don't feel you have to be bound by the classic format alternatives are:
Wild - the first player can choose to be noughts or crosses.
Reverse - the first player to get three of the same symbols in a line, looses.
3D - make 3 sets and mount vertically one above the over with suitable separation to allow the pieces to be moved and viewed.
Enjoy.