Gray Code Counter

Description

Gray Code Counter is a counting mechanism that counts both binary and Gray code. Many people know binary counting: 1=00001, 2=00010, 5=00101. Gray code (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_code) count such that two successive values differ in only one bit (binary digit): 00000, 00001, 00011, 00010, 00110, ... The mechanism uses gears. For the top row, the binary-counting logic is that when a bit goes from 1 to 0, then the next left bit changes. For the bottom row, the gray-code-counting logic is that when a top bit goes from 0 to 1, then the bit below changes.

The gear design is quite subtle. When a bit is about to change, it gets first unlocked, then it accelerates and turns slightly faster than the bit that drives it, and then it gets locked again. As a result, a set of bits start rotating right-to-left, and they stop left-to-right. Quite fascinating to see.

Watch the YouTube video.

Read at the iMaterialise Forum.

Read more at the Non-Twisty Puzzles Forum.

Please order a 3D-printed do-it-yourself puzzle kit from iMaterialise at this page (check with Oskar about screws and stickers), or contact Oskar directly if you are interested in obtaining a fully colored, stickered and assembled sample of this puzzle.