[HS]

Since this thread is at the top again, I might as well mention that I've finally got my springs! As soon as I get an evening to myself I'll get back into mad scientist mode. Some electromagnets to temporarily compress/expand different portions or this mechanical brain could provide some great options/shortcuts.

[HS]

Update, incase anyone finds value in specifics, all you need to connect the cubes:

• springs
• disc magnets 1mm larger in diameter than springs
• syringe of electrically conductive glue
• super glue
• sandpaper
• toothpick or similar

• sand flat faces of magnets
• sand ends of springs
• apply conductive paste to one spring end
• let a magnet get stuck (magnetically) to the spring
• center magnet while conductive paste is still wet
• let paste dry
• drip a drop of superglue on spring/magnet junction
• gently distribute superglue throughout the entire surface of the magnet in contact with spring
• let dry
• do same on other end of spring (making sure the magnet is in the same orientation as the first so they attract)

[goaty]

Woah ive never seen a bottle of super glue that big before.   U must be in America.

Its not electricly conductive is it?  Usually glue is capacitant, not conductant.

[HS]

Canada, so even bigger, and probably cold-proof. The stuff in the syringe is an emulsion of silver particles and a quick drying binding agent. When dry, the silver particles come into contact with each other and conduct electricity. Not very strong glue though, so the canadian super glue goes on top of it to hold everything together more securely.

[Korrelan]

Umm... I'm really enjoying following your project, and I know that self discovery is part of the learning process but...

There is a difference between a sprung contact and a contact made from a spring. A sprung contact can only move linearly in 1D. How are going to stop all the magnets just sticking together in a clump and make them contact the correct locations, and how are you going to provide structural integrity to multiple blocks stacked?

 

In hindsight I feel I am yet again being negative without offering my experience or guidance (for what its worth).

Each face requires two magnets, one N facing out and one S, with the correct spacing this will force the blocks to connect with the correct orientation. You then need linear sprung connections arranged appropriately between the magnets on each face for the electronics.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/100pcs-1-5mm-Pin-Head-Spring-Loaded-Signal-Test-Probes-Pogo-Pins-Connector/17023136781?iid=192613439012&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=192613439012&targetid=594652102240&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9046381&poi=&campaignid=1700604163&mkgroupid=66589444792&rlsatarget=pla-594652102240&abcId=1140496&merchantid=110791493&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw9PM97f44wIV2ODICh3UWwvREAQYCCABEgJk3fD_BwE

Drill the hole, slide the pin out through the casing to required distance and fix, solder wire to it internally.



 

[goaty]

That's absolutely astounding whats happening here.

You could get a thousand of these,  10x10x10...  that would be enough?

So do you know what ur doing using it for real?      I could help out...

[HS]

@ Korr: It's gonna work!  Thanks for the link, those things look great.

I just checked and the spring connectors can stick a section of construction rebar to a wall. Should be even stronger with magnet to magnet contact on the cubes. It will be like a crystal latice structure, but shock absorbant.  Plus, some large forgiving/self-correcting tolerances. Each face has magnets in the same orientation so they repell and don't  clump together.

@ goaty: I would need 1458 pins for a (3 blocks)³ proof of concept net. Using the pins for real? By all means suggest ways of using them. I'm making all of this up as I go allong and could always use shortcuts.

[Korrelan]

I watch with antici... pation.

😁

[goaty]

Funny if someones already built a volumetric cube design network back in the 70's or something. it looks like a good doable idea.

Im not sure about the practical,   but I can definitely help you with the theory side of things,  cause im better at understanding the use of these zany things than ive ever been.

[HS]

Small improvements, step by step, eventually... CONQUERING THE MULTIVERSE!!!

[goaty]

that's pretty nice,  it looks very home brew.  it looks a lot more metallic than before.
So are u going to light them up when the cell is activated?    That would work I think, that
different sensors coming in would be a different pattern activated.

Is your idea for solar powering it still there?

I like this a lot,  I wish I had mine done so I could show you mine, but im still stuck in software, I think I wanted too much and it put me way behind schedule.

[HS]

So are u going to light them up when the cell is activated?    That would work I think, that
different sensors coming in would be a different pattern activated.

Yes I think I'll make the red led part of the standby loop in the microprocessor, just for troubleshooting at a glance.  There could be an led for info coming in, maybe orange, and an led for info leaving, could be green, like traffic, so it's easy to understand.

Is your idea for solar powering it still there?

Yup, solar power is incorporated. See the little squares in the center of each face?  2.1 volts when connected in series! If someone finds these cubes in the distant future they will be able to resurrect them with incidental light exposure. There could be a post apocalyptic society. They should get to have some adventures if they go digging for ancient high technology.   

but im still stuck in software

So will I. No idea of how to make the neurons behave. I'm guessing finding out is gonna involve lots of trial and error 404...

[HS]

Done did a few updates on the rivers of the mind. Also made a suitable version for a no bs creature like Blinky. I'm thinking a full on fantasy dwarf next, with most of the reward system centered around mining into mountains and extracting crypt-currency.



                                                                    And for the future:

[goaty]

Looks great! Glad to see you are working on both upstairs (brain) and downstairs. (body)
My R.O.S. (robotic operating system - or 'brain') is just simple, and it could still work really well.

https://www.karlsims.com/papers/siggraph94.pdf
If you scroll down halfway youll see the creatures brain,  its very small!

[LOCKSUIT]

Time to work on the breeding parts so it can properly get addicted to mating lolz. You could just buy a....