Neocube needs no mechanisms
Take, as an example of the hidden mechanisms within puzzles, the work of Erno Rubik. In his famous cube, each sub-cube isn't really a cube at all, but is instead a cleverly-shaped plug that fits into a ball in the middle. More visibly, Rubik's Magic is held together by a latticework of plastic wires, which may become snarled in the hands of a wankhanded puzzle-solver. Neo Cube, however, needs no wires, internal mechanisms or other structural legerdemains. Comprising 216 neodymium magnets, its freakish and ordered workings are governed entirely by the laws of physics.
Product Page (Down?) [Neocube via Gearfuse]
29 Comments
RECENT COMMENTS
Anonymous on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"Or you can get a 10x10x10 cube from EdwinScience.com. You can even get it real 2..."
gorilladox on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"These are the coolest puzzles! I just bought 2 of them from this place called Th..."
Anonymous on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"There is nothing magical about it, there just sphere magnets. The most inexpensi..."
donkeyphant on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"I've heard negative things about the generic neocubes. I'd buy it from www.thene..."
dailymag on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"http://www.iqmagtoy.com/qqmag ..."
dailymag on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"We supply QQMAG (NeoCube) magnetic balls (magnetic spheres) whose size is from 3..."
Anonymous on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"We supply QQMAG (NeoCube) magnetic balls (magnetic spheres) whose size is from 3..."
neocube on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"The NeoCube is composed of 216 individual high-energy rare-earth magnets. China..."
Anonymous on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"These are now in stock and shipping the next day!..."
Anonymous on Neocube needs no mechanisms...
"@ #15... How is this not a puzzle?! The "puzzle" element is the individual try..."
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technogeek
#1 – 12:16 PM April 29, 2008
I've been told that Rubik actually designed the cube as a mechanical-engineering visualization puzzle, challenging students to explain how it operated (without disassembling it, of course). According to this story, the fact that it was also a challenging combinatorial puzzle (which is of course what it was mass-marketed as) was pure serendipity after one was painted with different colors on each face.
No, I don't have a citation. But I can easily believe it.
I believe the Instructables website has previously featured homemade Rubikoid puzzles which used magnets in place of the original hub-and-pivot system. I wonder how/whether those differ significantly from NeoCube.
My name... is Neo.
lectroid
#2 – 12:29 PM April 29, 2008
This might be the best desk toy I've ever seen if not for the fact that I'd be terrified of screwing up my monitor/disk/misc electronic gizmo left on my desk.
Still want one.
Trent Hawkins
#3 – 12:49 PM April 29, 2008
wow, that's almost like a phospholipid bilayer in a cell. Amazing.
boxlightbox
#4 – 12:59 PM April 29, 2008
these look just like the cool bracelets from dynomighty. i can and have played with those things for hours and HOURS. it feels like they have a memory, or that they're trying to understand what you want them to do.
teamrice
#5 – 1:26 PM April 29, 2008
Amazing, and guy sure is gettin' all worked up with the heavy breathin' and all. I think i might get out my headphones and give it another listen.
airship
#6 – 2:33 PM April 29, 2008
Sold out. You could make one yourself if you could find a place that would sell you 216 1/4" spherical neodymium magnets for that price. Which you can't. I've looked. They must have gotten a hella deal on the things.
murray
#7 – 3:24 PM April 29, 2008
This is the coolest toy I've ever seen. Want.
technogeek
#8 – 3:45 PM April 29, 2008
Ah. Finally saw the video; I agree, this is an interestingly different object. Fine desk toy. Just keep it away from magnetic media and your screen...
Torchwood
#9 – 4:06 PM April 29, 2008
neocube's need no mechanisms because on the moon mechanisms are not needed, isn't that right err?
MadDuck
#10 – 4:16 PM April 29, 2008
Is it just me or is the web page down?
morehumanthanhuman
#11 – 4:19 PM April 29, 2008
Well, I actually have a bunch of spherical magnets from this company: http://www.engconcepts.net/list_of_sphere_magnets.asp
Coolest things ever. Except, I'd recommend getting epoxy coated ones because the nickel plating on mine is coming off after hours of "use."
But the price for 216 5mm sphere magnets is a bit much $86.
huzubu
#12 – 6:49 PM April 29, 2008
There's more stuff like this at http://amasci.com/amateur/beads.html
Anonymous Anonymous
#13 – 10:02 PM April 29, 2008
Their list of warnings is rather funny:
http://www.theneocube.com/warnings.html
'This product contains small balls.'
a random John
#14 – 10:21 PM April 29, 2008
oh man... must have neo cube...
ivan256
#15 – 11:24 AM April 30, 2008
Back in 2002, I bought a big batch of these little 1/4" spherical magnets from wondermagnet.com for $0.15 each. Sadly, they are currenly out of stock. dealextreme.com sometimes has good deals on powerful magnets too (along with tons of other irresistible crap to waste money on), but currently only discs.
They are a fun toy to play with, as the video shows... They're not a "puzzle" in any way, though, so I'm not sure how Rubik relates...
heydemann3
#16 – 8:04 PM May 1, 2008
Must Have. The perfect fidgety thing. It will ive in a pocket and denature my credit cards and I won't notice....
dogbone
#17 – 11:58 AM May 13, 2008
Bought one on 04/30/08 and haven't received it yet 05/13/08 and get know reply from email contact and no callback from phone number.
Hope it's not a scam and he is just short on stock.
kvfitz
#18 – 4:30 PM May 31, 2008
I made a call to the office not long ago, regarding my order. I got a very courteous, apologetic and prompt call back from StrongForces. They are way short on stock, due to unexpected demand, Dogbone. Expect at least 8 weeks to deliver. I can't wait.
Anonymous Anonymous
#19 – 2:59 PM June 11, 2008
They now have it in GOLD. try searching in ebay "neocube". This thing is getting popular.
Anonymous Anonymous
#20 – 2:23 PM July 3, 2008
@ #15...
How is this not a puzzle?! The "puzzle" element is the individual trying to re-create some of the stunning shapes. Idiot.
Anonymous Anonymous
#21 – 3:21 PM August 14, 2008
These are now in stock and shipping the next day!
neocube
#22 – 5:14 AM October 12, 2008
The NeoCube is composed of 216 individual high-energy rare-earth magnets.
China supplier
www.neo-cube.cn
Anonymous Anonymous
#23 – 7:37 AM November 21, 2008
We supply QQMAG (NeoCube) magnetic balls (magnetic spheres) whose size is from 3mm~10mm. They are very powerful and amazing. There are 216pcs of magnetic spheres in one set.
The magnetic fields of magnetic balls are concentrated more at the poles than
disc or block magnets. These balls are great for experimentation and magic tricks
and are just plain fascinating to play with.
QQMAG (NeoCube) is consisted of hundreds of individual strong neodymium balls.
You can create huge number of shapes and models according to your imagination by this amazing QQMAG (NeoCube).
QQMAG (NeoCube) is wonderfully suitable for experiments and combining with other magnets.
No one who comes into contact with these magnets ever wants to give them back. These small but very powerful QQMAG (NeoCube) inevitably arouse a sense of play.
The more, the better.
http://www.iqmagtoy.com/qqmag
sales@cndailymag.com
dailymag
#24 – 7:40 AM November 21, 2008
We supply QQMAG (NeoCube) magnetic balls (magnetic spheres) whose size is from 3mm~10mm. They are very powerful and amazing. There are 216pcs of magnetic spheres in one set.
The magnetic fields of magnetic balls are concentrated more at the poles than
disc or block magnets. These balls are great for experimentation and magic tricks
and are just plain fascinating to play with.
QQMAG (NeoCube) is consisted of hundreds of individual strong neodymium balls.
You can create huge number of shapes and models according to your imagination by this amazing QQMAG (NeoCube).
QQMAG (NeoCube) is wonderfully suitable for experiments and combining with other magnets.
No one who comes into contact with these magnets ever wants to give them back. These small but very powerful QQMAG (NeoCube) inevitably arouse a sense of play.
The more, the better.
http://www.iqmagtoy.com/qqmag
sales@cndailymag.com
dailymag
#25 – 7:41 AM November 21, 2008
http://www.iqmagtoy.com/qqmag
donkeyphant
#26 – 2:40 PM January 7, 2009
I've heard negative things about the generic neocubes. I'd buy it from www.theneocube.com. They invented it, have the longest track record and really good customer service.
Anonymous Anonymous
#27 – 1:42 PM April 7, 2009
There is nothing magical about it, there just sphere magnets. The most inexpensive sphere magnets I have found are from http://www.EdwinScience.com
They even have larger sizes and gold plating!
-Chris
gorilladox
#28 – 10:04 AM April 29, 2009
These are the coolest puzzles! I just bought 2 of them from this place called TheCyberCube.com. They have different types of cubes and cool packaging! Its defiantly a must check out. The price was pretty good. I believe the 7x7 Creation Cube is the same as the NeoCube BUT the 7x7 Creation Cube you get 343 spheres VS the NeoCube you only get 216 spheres. Dunno... Check it out at TheCyberCube.com TheCuberCube.com!! :) - Gadget Master
Anonymous Anonymous
#29 – 1:06 PM June 5, 2009
Or you can get a 10x10x10 cube from EdwinScience.com. You can even get it real 24K gold plated.