Five more mechanisms with original illustrations and solving plans. Legal movement matters more than the outer cubic shape.
In this guide
Gear Cube · coupled gears
On a classic Gear Cube, gears couple neighbouring parts. Arrange corners and colour groups, then edge positions and finally gear angles. Use sequences for that specific model; Gear Cube Extreme has different constraints.
Position as text
Geometrically calculated 3D teaching view. Gear Cube: three-dimensional toothed edge parts between corner and centre blocks; simplified mechanism model.
Further reading: Jaap Scherphuis: Gear Cube
Helicopter Cube and Curvy Copter
Here axes pass through edges. Start with ordinary 180° turns without jumbling. Plan: restore shape → organise centre orbits → lower face → sides → upper pieces. Jumbling at intermediate angles can transfer pieces between orbits and requires additional recovery steps.
Position as text
Geometrically calculated 3D teaching view. Helicopter: calculated solid with spatial cut lines; simplified teaching model.
Further reading: Jaap Scherphuis: Helicopter Cube / Curvy Copter
Bandaged Cube · joined pieces
Joined pieces block turns. Plan an open cut, build useful blocks and preserve workspace for the next stage. A standard algorithm may become illegal on its second move. The particular bandaging defines the task; there is no universal sequence for every bandaged cube.
Position as text
Geometrically calculated 3D teaching view. Bandaged: two pieces are marked by a connection projected in the same face plane.
Further reading: Jaap Scherphuis: Bicube / Bandaged Cube
Dino Cube · vertex turns
Dino Cube moves edge pieces about vertex axes. Build a connected colour group, then arrange remaining edges with short cycles. Respect the arrangements reachable under its legal moves; the cubic shell does not make it a 3×3.
Position as text
Geometrically calculated 3D teaching view. Dino: calculated solid with spatial cut lines; simplified teaching model.
Further reading: Jaap Scherphuis: Dino Cube
Clock · a related turning puzzle
Clock has nine dials on each side. Pins determine which clocks move together. Set suitable dial groups to twelve, complete the other groups and check both sides. Wheels and pins form a coupling problem rather than coloured cube layers.
Position as text
Geometrically calculated 3D teaching view. Clock: three-dimensional housing with nine coplanar dials and four coupling pins.
Further reading: Jaap Scherphuis: Rubik’s Clock