I guess I’m getting nearly as PO’d posting these puzzles as yazall are seeing them pop up… however, I’m hoping I’m more resilient than most… So… This is my major contribution into my “Packing Puzzle” collection.
I first encountered what is called the Raya Box No.2 (RB #2) puzzle and immediately thought where is No.1? Well after an exhaustive 30 second Google, I came across this Puzzle Master WEB site where I quickly discovered that the puzzle’s author (Yavuz Demirhan) had 8 in the collection,
As with all my packing puzzles, I designed them all in SketchUp from the advertising photos… this is the photo set for RB #1,
and came up with the following model,
Now some of you may have noticed, while others need to be told, that the Perspex top finished up in two pieces, which made me disgruntled during assembly.
As I progressed in importing/designing/building RB #2, I created an artificial border around (under) the Perspex top, to ensure that all subsequent tops will be only 1 piece,
which made me gruntled. This leap forward was achieved by creating an inner liner/skirt (green) to provide a rest for the rim extension of the top,
This concept then became the norm for the following 6 Raya Box puzzles,
Because of the “liner” the box increased in size,
By the time I got to RB #8, I was getting a tad pissed off with making what now seemed like all the same boxes…
and they were basically the same with the main difference being the shape of the Perspex top opening (and of course the pieces that were to be packed).
I had a bit of inspiration and thought that a single box with interchangeable lids could be a better solution (to my dilemma… not the puzzle solving).
I came up with a removable lid design,
however, was not happy with the design as the “lid” kept falling off and I didn’t want to force pressure to keep it on.
Back to SketchUp and redesigned to box
to accept a slide in Perspex top
and used two “plugs” to hold it in place,
though the friction fit would have been enough.
Once you have a box (supplied with the first puzzle… whichever No. chosen) additional “puzzles” can be added by the appropriate perspex lid and the required pieces for that puzzle.
To make life easier for the puzzle recipient, the front of the box has the combination of pieces required for each puzzle engraved on the front,
and the appropriate pieces on the back,
For example… RB #4 requires 2L, 2Q and 4T, which when you look at the back it is,
First you pick and cut the Perspex top,
(pick X for the impossible puzzle), and then the pieces are selected from a cache of parts as per the formula on the front of the box,
mass produced,
To upgrade a puzzle, I just need to distribute a package containing the Perspex top and the pieces,
which is a tad easier for me than,
The appropriate models are available from the 3DW,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Y.
and the solutions can be picked from the relevant PDF here… just select the appropriate Box No.“n” with the PDF’s name… Raya Box No.n (Solution) - A4.pdf
The downside of this design was that you could only have 1 puzzle active at a time (1 box), however, as said 1 box and 19 pieces as opposed to 8 boxes and 52 pieces.
However , however…..
The best way to tackle these packing puzzles is to try to assemble the pieces outside the box to the appropriate “solid shape”. Doing this can become a balancing issue, but without the restriction of the Perspex top, the pieces ban be tested (for shape… not necessarily for fit). Then with the top inserted, the idea is to rebuild that shape through the confines of the opening.
The removable top is also handy, when the solution is cocked up and depending on haw cocked up it was, it can be difficult to extricate the ill fitted pieces… now lift the lid and tip them out.
34 down, 46 to go… but who’s counting?
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Don’t be crafty Craftisians,... SHARE your craft!
EDIT :- Totally forgot, I made a video of this adventure,
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
For all you puzzle addicts that couldn't wait to digest this puzzle and have already read and registered it in the part of the brain that alcohol won't affect, I slipped in a video that I made and forgot to include,
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
That detailed presentation of your process, prototype-to-product, is what makes you the top puzzle duck on this list (puzzling, I know)!
With some help from AI, you could greatly expand the Raya collection and not have to worry about the limited parts count you now face.
In all seriousness, some very clever work!
We don't have any MDF trees locally, but the MDF cacti are plentiful. Usually just painted up as-harvested with a clear coat finish, I can see them being used in parts as a ready source for puzzle parts.
SplinterGroup commented 4 days ago That detailed presentation of your process, prototype-to-product, is what makes you the top puzzle duck on this list (puzzling, I know)!
Unfortunately I plagiarise so I slip down the ladder a few rungs... Have only "invented" 2 I can claim as my own.
With some help from AI, you could greatly expand the Raya collection and not have to worry about the limited parts count you now face.
I have neough trouble with MyI!
In all seriousness, some very clever work!
The combine in 1 may be considered as a smarter move, but the clever tag falls on the originator, Yavuz.
We don't have any MDF trees locally, but the MDF cacti are plentiful. Usually just painted up as-harvested with a clear coat finish, I can see them being used in parts as a ready source for puzzle parts.
I'll PM you my address... actually, here it is (me in my office... I've only my pubescent pimples to hide)... can you mail me some MDF cactuses seedi on COD?
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
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