Hi iMaterialise fans,
Magnet Unlock is a magnetic puzzle inspired by a video by Andrew Klein. In that video, Andrew explains how magnetic flux can be short-ciruited, which is the basis of how magnetic switches work. The Magnet Unlock puzzle has three 3D-printed disks. Each disk has seven vertical metal rods, which are linked with rod magnets. The black markings indicate the “north” sides of the rod magnets. A rod with two north magnets has “+2 units of magnetic flux”. A single north magnet means “+1 units of magnetic flux”. Ditto for south magnets: “-2” and “-1”. When the disks are stacked, the units of flux are additive, which means that the flux may cancel out.
The object of the puzzle is to stack the three disks in such a way, that the flux cancels out all together, and that the stack of magnets does not attract the steel plate. Of all 144 different ways of stacking, there is only one solution where the steel plate is unlocked. All other 143 ways leave the steel plate magnetically locked to the stack. Ditto for any combination of two disks, or a single disks. Only when all flux is short-circuited, the steel plate falls off.
Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle at my iMaterialise Shop.
Read more at the Non-Twisty Puzzles Forum.
Check out the photos below.
Enjoy!
Oskar
