Somebody asked for a Cryptex ... so here\'s a simple Cryptex with only 300 combinations ... I think the math is right ... for one ring;

Programming the combination is the little key tabs that slip into 1 of 3 positions for each of the 5 circular positions on a ring and there are 5 rings, with 5 choices each.

n P k = n!/(n-k)! = (5!/(5-3)! = 60 and with 5 rings = 300 combinations.

So much confusion on the math ... I'll look into it more ...

I just realized that if I use more rings (easy modification to this kit ... just make it longer with more coding cylinders) then it could be words or phrases ... standard size paper could result in over a dozen letters at this over-sized design.

If I spent a little more time on this all the rings could be the same width ... but this is enough to do the job and get the concept across.

Alas, there's no place for acid in a glass to break ... this is intended as a toy for children smart enough not to eat the programming keys.

The storage cavity is 50mm x 100mm ...

All these parts are MakerBotable too!

If I had access to a MakerBot to actually build and test my creations ... that would help.


This is another of many entries to the makezine.com/go/makerbot contest ...

blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/makerbot_giveaway.html