RUBIK’S MAGIC

ABOUT RUBIK’S MAGIC

Do you remember the old falling-book toy sometimes called“Chinese block”? perhaps 6 blocks are connected with alter-natingsingle and doubl straps.All except the end blocks have straps on both sides of the neighboring block below,a chin reac-tion occurs,wit each block falling in sequence until a new chain is formed.Sing straps move between double straps to the neighboring block.

Rubik’s magic can be thought of as very clever and elaborate design based on the same principle. The puzzle consists  of 8 plastic squares connected to each other by very thin filaments , or cords , that rest in grooves cut into the plastic squares. Each square is attached to 2 others by these cords.

The puzzle moves the way it does because of the clever way the cords are wrapped around the plastic squares. There are 16 separate cords holding the 8 squares together (you can verify this if you puzzle falls apart , as these puzzles sometimes do after misuse). The ends of each cord are attached to each other by a small metal clip to form a circle 5.5 inches in diame-ter. Pairs of cord cross each other .and where these crossings occur,the cords pass between each other as shown here

The puzzle moves by changes in the relative positions of cent squares. Squares are folded over on top of other squares and then pulled up so the different edges are touching when the move is done.

The move causes some of the segments of the cord to switch between 2 squares. During the move, parts of the cords ”jump” from one square to the other. During this jumping motion the part of the cords pass between each 

other in manner similar to the way the straps on the falling-block toy move. the puzzle with 8 squares can be thought  of as consisting of 4 overlapping sets  of 3 squares .

There are 4 cords attaching each set of 3 square,which means that alternating squares have 4 or 2 cords in each groove.

If you accidentally destroy one of these puzzles , you may be able to salvage one to salvage one of the 3-square pieces,which can be fun to play with your next 8-square puzzle.

Since the entire puzzle is built from smaller pieces in this way , it should be possible to construct larger versions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see such puzzles appear as this one becomes more popular. You may recall the large variety  of similar puzzles that appeared shortly after Rubik’s Cube. Perhaps Professor Rubik will also come up with other ways to wrap cords around different shapes to provide even more challenging puzzles.

TERMINOLOGY

Rubik’s Magic is made up of 8 squares connected by very thin cord. Each square has grooves cut into it in which the cords rest. Each square has 2 faces 4 edges.

 

BASIC MOVES

Rubik’s Magic can be changed from any of its shapes to any other by 1 or more moves in which 2 adjacent squares are folded together and unfolded on different edge.
The edges of the 2 squares that will become adjacent after the move are the ones on either side of the 2 small pieces of cord shown in the illustration. By looking for these 2 small pieces of cord, you can always tell the squares will move.

CORRECT AND INCORRECT OPENING.

*INDICATES 2 LAYERS OF SQUARES FOR QUICK REFERENCE

Squares can from patterns that you can move in useful ways when trying to change the shape of the puzzle.It is helpful to be able to recognize the following common patterns. Note that all these moves go both ways. Also, it is important to be aware of the position of the cords, since this determines the direction in which a move can be made. You might easily break the puzzle by trying to move it improperly.

OPEN A 4-SQUARES 2 WAYS.

A single square that pops up by itself I call a “flap.” Moving flaps is one way to change shapes.

MOVE A FLAP 2 WAYS.

There are 7 ways to move out of a double flap, making it one of the most versatile patterns.

ONE WAY OF OPENING DOUBLE FLAP.

SEQUENCE OF 2-FLAP MOVES.

If all else fails, just try folding and unfolding the puzzle without forcing it too hard. For a change to occur, 2 squares must be touching on 1 face.

What Can Go Wrong?

Avoiding Damage to the Puzzle 
The manufacturer has provided several very important suggestions to help you avoid damaging your puzzle. lf you ignore this advice, you risk ending up with a handful of plastic squares, colored paper, and loose cords. Unlike Rubik’s Cube, Rubik’s magic is not simple to reassemble. 

Keeping the puzzle Aligned 
It is also important to follow the manufacturer’s suggestion whenever the puzzle gets slightly out of alignment. When this happens, 2 adjacent squares will tend to overlap slightly, and the puzzle in its original 2-by-4 shape will not lie flat. Try pulling the overlapping squares apart and moving them up and down with respect to each other. I have found that these puzzles get slightly looser as they are used, so problems with alignment and stiffness tend to go away 

Cords out of Grooves 
A minor problem can occur when the longer cord segments fall slightly out of their grooves.When this happens, Justgently nudge the cord back and then jiggle 2 squares a little bit. 

Twisted Cords 
Sometimes twists in the cords will accumulate in one place and prevent the pairs of cords from passing between each other as they should, which can prevent otherwise permitted moves from being made. In a normal permitted move the small segments of cord pairs pass between each other. If there are twists in the outer pair of cords, this movement of the inner pair may be block, and the squares will not reopen all the way.

The feeling will be much the same as when you try to move the puzzle improperly. If you ever have trouble accomplishing what should be a permitted move, you should consider the possibility that cords are twisted.

TWISTS IN CORD AT CROSSING.

TWISTS BLOCK MOVEMENT OF CORDS THROUGH EACH OTHER.

To fix the problem you must carefully push the accumulated twisted cords through to the other side of the puzzle.

PUSH TWISTS THROUGH TO OTHER SIDE.

 
This has the effect of putting the twists into the larger cord segment where they can be somewhat dissipated.