Daniel’s Small Assignment: Final Project Proposal

Description

For my final project, I want to explore the creation of 3D-printed jigsaw puzzles. During our recent class on tiling, the mention of creating puzzle pieces sparked my interest, and I realized that designing jigsaw puzzles would be both challenging and rewarding. As I haven’t seen other students pursue a project like this, I believe it could add a unique perspective to our exploration of 3D printing.

The main objective of my project is to develop a jigsaw puzzle cutter algorithm that can generate puzzle piece shapes based on customizable parameters. This algorithm would allow for a range of puzzle designs, creating a unique approach to puzzle making. If successful, the algorithm itself would be one of the deliverables for the project. If this approach proves too complex within the timeframe, I plan to develop a set of at least three distinct puzzle cutter designs as a backup.

Additionally, I aim to create, and 3D print at least three completed jigsaw puzzles in different shapes:

A terrain map jigsaw puzzle featuring topographic details.
A flat, traditional jigsaw puzzle with standard interlocking pieces.
A jigsaw puzzle with varying z-height to introduce a dimensional aspect.

If time allows, I would also like to experiment with multi-color printing to enhance the puzzles’ aesthetic appeal. Additionally, if feasible, I may try to commission colored prints of the puzzles for a more professional finish.

Deliverables:

A puzzle cutter algorithm or a set of at least three distinct cutter designs.

Design and printing of the three puzzle types mentioned above

Experimentation with multiple colors in the final prints and potential commissioning of colored prints, if time permits.

Timeline

October 31 – November 18:

• Research Phase:
  Research existing jigsaw puzzle cutter algorithms and analyze their structures. Focus on understanding algorithmic parameters that define piece shapes, such as interlocking mechanisms and edge randomness.
  Study the mechanics of puzzle cutting to identify feasible methods for 3D printing.
• Design Drafting:
  Develop initial sketches or digital drafts for the puzzle cutter, exploring different piece shapes and edge designs.
  Experiment with parameter settings for the algorithm, aiming to generate unique yet interlocking puzzle pieces.
• Algorithm and Prototype Development:
  Begin writing or refining the puzzle cutter algorithm if applicable. Ensure that the algorithm can modify piece shapes based on input parameters (e.g., piece count, shape complexity).
  Alternatively, finalize at least three distinct puzzle cutter designs that can be used for testing.
• Testing Phase:
  Create digital simulations or early 3D prints of the cutter designs to assess their accuracy and fit.
  Make adjustments as needed, documenting the changes and their impact on the puzzle’s overall cohesion.

November 19 – December 2:

• Puzzle Design and Printing:
  Finalize puzzle designs based on the cutter algorithm or selected designs. Ensure a diverse range of shapes to meet the project’s creativity goals.
• 3D Printing and Evaluation:
  Begin and finish 3D printing at least three complete puzzles using finalized cutter designs or algorithm outputs.

Related Work

One relevant piece of related work for my project is the paper titled “Design Jigsaw: Exploring a Computational Approach to Assembling Ideas in the Design Production Process” by Chia-Hui Nico Lo, Ih-Cheng Lai, and Teng-Wen Chang. This research focuses on a computational framework called Design Jigsaw, which aids in organizing and linking ideas, much like the pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. Using a jigsaw metaphor, the authors explore how designers can use a tool called the Dynamic Idea Map (DIM) to visualize connections between ideas, creating a graph-like structure. By facilitating idea linkage, Design Jigsaw helps users assemble complex concepts into a cohesive design. This approach to modular, interlocking components is highly relevant to my own jigsaw puzzle cutter algorithm, as it offers insights into computational methods for generating interlocking shapes. By drawing from the computational mechanisms discussed in this paper, I can better understand how to design my algorithm’s parameters to produce jigsaw pieces that not only fit together structurally but also form a cohesive whole.
Link: Design Jigsaw: Exploring a Computational Approach to Assembling Ideas in the Design Production Process

A second related work that will inform my project is the paper “Synthesis of 3D Jigsaw Puzzles over Freeform 2-Manifolds” by Gershon Elber and Myung-Soo Kim. This paper presents a method for creating 3D jigsaw puzzles using freeform surfaces, specifically NURBS surfaces commonly used in CAD modeling. The authors propose a straightforward algorithm for creating interlocking 3D jigsaw tiles on these curved surfaces, which can then be 3D printed for a physical puzzle. The approach uses conventional geometric operations, such as offsetting NURBS surfaces and dividing 3D models into curved, interlocking pieces. This work is particularly relevant to my project because it addresses the technical challenges involved in converting complex 3D surfaces into puzzle pieces that are both structurally sound and interlocking. By incorporating similar techniques, I can explore ways to create interlocking jigsaw pieces with varying dimensions or curvature, adding a new layer of complexity to the puzzles I plan to design.

Link: Synthesis of 3D jigsaw puzzles over freeform 2-manifolds – ScienceDirect

Additional Exploration

In addition to the three planned puzzle types, I’m also exploring the potential to create a jigsaw puzzle from a more complex 3D form, such as a teapot, if time permits. Inspired by the method detailed in Synthesis of 3D Jigsaw Puzzles over Freeform 2-Manifolds by Gershon Elber and Myung-Soo Kim, I would experiment with generating jigsaw tiles over curved surfaces instead of flat ones. Using trimmed NURBS surfaces, as the paper describes, offers a way to convert freeform models into 3D interlocking puzzle pieces that can still be 3D printed. Integrating this approach would let me apply my puzzle cutter algorithm to different geometries, pushing the complexity of my final designs.