Tag Archives: transforming

3D printed chess pawns transform into queens thanks to magnets and springs

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Chess is a game that has existed for centuries, and it hasn’t really changed much during that time, especially in recent decades. The rules of the game are pretty much the same, which includes “power-ups” that were invented way before the term even showed up in video games. Of course, these moves don’t require any special piece outside of what’s already included in the entire set, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything to spruce it up.

This rather elaborate 3D printed design, for example, solves the practical problem of how to represent a pawn that has reached the opposite end and “evolved” into a queen. Sure, you can just try to remember which is which, but wouldn’t it be easier if you had spare queen pieces instead? Better yet, why not just literally evolve the pawn instead, keeping the chess set simple, relatively?

Designer: Works By Design

“Queening” is what happens when a pawn is crowned and gains the queen’s large movement powers when it reaches the opposite end of the board. In some cases, when your queen has already been captured, you can simply swap out the pieces. But what if your queen is still there or, by some stroke of luck, you have two pawns that become queens?

This form-changing pawn is one solution that utilizes 3D printing, springs, magnets, and a rather complicated internal design. The challenge was to take a regular-sized pawn and have it not only expand to the size of a queen but also exhibit its features, particularly its flared crown. If you’ve ever watched Transformers, then you might get the idea more or less.

The design underwent several iterations, particularly with the spring mechanism that holds the pieces together and then pushes them out to expand. In the end, the simpler version won out, though the final pawn size was definitely larger than normal. Fortunately, it still fits within international standards, so it probably won’t be contested in an official match.

The 3D-printed pawn uses magnets in its feet to trigger the expansion mechanism, so placing it on any metal surface, like the back row of this custom-made chess board, would make it spring into action, so to speak. It’s definitely a convoluted design for a rather simple problem, but it also adds a bit of excitement and thrill to the game, becoming a goal of its own in addition to actually winning the match.

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Smart Megatron transforms into a tank, responds to voice commands and shoots projectiles

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While all Transformers fans are tripping over Optimum Prime, it’s time to give the leader of the Decepticons his due chance. Yes, this self-transforming Megatron will win you over to join the bad side of the Transformers universe, the toy is that good. Created by Robosen Robotics in collaboration with Hasbro, the high-tech interactive collectible will force the inner child out of even the most serious middle-aged men.

Everything about this autobot is impressive, right from its design to the cool moves it is capable of. The Megatron is released as a limited edition collectible to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Transformers. Be informed that this thing comes at a steep price tag of $800 during the initial pre-order phase, and after that period the price is expected to shoot higher at around $1,200.

Designer: Robosen Robotics and Hasbro

With a simple voice command, the 21-inch Megatron transforms from a walking bipedal robot to a rolling tank. The way it changes personality in an instant is the most satisfying thing to watch. The voice commands further extend into triggering actions like firing plastic darts from the cannon or doing other cool tricks. It can also play out famous scenes from the franchise in the voice of actor Frank Welker with visual actions. Voice commands can be used to wake up the robot or even play Happy Birthday tunes. The servo motors and microchips let the user control it remotely from a smartphone with the companion app.

Get too close to the Autobot and it reacts to your touch, thanks to the touch sensors placed on the body. Don’t be surprised if it shouts out loud “You Fool” when touched on the front plate and picked up off the surface. In the tank mode, it can fire plastic cannons on voice commands and do a lot of other cool stuff you’ll love. The robot has a lot of servos and they are well concealed behind the clever spring-loaded flaps. Attention to detail is apparent here with small details like the automatically rotating logo when it converts from a tank to a standing robot.

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Turn your sleeping area into your office with this rotating furniture

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If you’re living in a small space, you’d want to have furniture that can serve multiple purposes. Modular and multi-functional designs have been dominating the scene the past few years especially during the pandemic when the line between work and private life blurred all the more. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and start working from my bed, thinking maybe I should have a desk built in there or have my desk nearer to my bed for a smooth transition.

Designer: Expand Furniture

This wish comes true with the Compatto Rotating Office Murphy Bed with Desk which is literally a bed that can be turned into a working area and even a multimedia space. And when you’re ready to pack it all up at the end of the day (or the middle), you just have to fold it away, turn it all around (literally) and rest in your Murphy bed with the Queen Italian memory foam mattress.

Of course the highlight of this piece of furniture is the fact that you can quickly turn it into a workspace with a few rotations and push and pulls. The wide desk can fit in things like dual monitors, a TV screen, all-in-one iMacs, and small computers. There is also space for file storage, decorations, books, and other knick knacks. There is also adequate places and openings for all kinds of power cords and wires to power your devices.

You will have to assemble everything yourself though as this is a DIY install. But this seems to be a pretty interesting piece of furniture to have if you can manage to put everything together. I will probably have some anxious moments thinking that I will be displacing my office stuff when I’m sleeping but at least I will have a really cool bed and work station in one.

The post Turn your sleeping area into your office with this rotating furniture first appeared on Yanko Design.