Travel X's & O's
Introduction: 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
Tinkercad
3D printer
4 colours of filament; cubes (Red, Green, Yellow/Gold), frame (Red & Black).
Cura
Skewers or suitable rods ~3mm in diameter.
Sanding paper
Needle files
3mm drill bit
Ruler
Fine point marker
Fine saw
Cutters.
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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. 646