B-Bar. A Reflected Binary, Mechanical Fidget/puzzle.
The B-bar (Binary bar) is an 8 bit, mechanically constrained reflected binary counter. Its addictive rhythmic movement makes it a perfect fidget for the casually interested while its design and sequence can be inspiring for the mathematically or mechanically inclined.
The B-bar is not a puzzle as the only possible moves are to undo the previous move or move the next key in the sequence. This is not to say that the B-bar cannot be puzzling, in the beginning especially it is easy to get lost in the 256 move sequence. The device has 8 keys representing binary bits which can be moved into one of two positions (states), up (high, 1) or down (low, 0). There is a window in the top of the device where the current binary number can be read. The sequence of free to move keys is dictated by a set of internal slotted cards. Moving a key will release another key and so on. The bottom of the device is open, allowing one to see the programming card's internal movement clearly.
Some challenges:
1) Can you predict which bit is next in the sequence?
2) Can you tell, looking at a given state, which move will count up and which will count down?
3) Can you convert a given state into its normal binary or decimal representation?
Dimensions:
180mm x 40m x 24mm (7.09in x 1.58in x 0.96in)
The Device is fully 3d Printed out of PLA. If exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time the device may warp and become stiff. Please keep your B-bar out of hot cars and off of sunny window sills:)
The B-bar (Binary bar) is an 8 bit, mechanically constrained reflected binary counter. Its addictive rhythmic movement makes it a perfect fidget for the casually interested while its design and sequence can be inspiring for the mathematically or mechanically inclined.
The B-bar is not a puzzle as the only possible moves are to undo the previous move or move the next key in the sequence. This is not to say that the B-bar cannot be puzzling, in the beginning especially it is easy to get lost in the 256 move sequence. The device has 8 keys representing binary bits which can be moved into one of two positions (states), up (high, 1) or down (low, 0). There is a window in the top of the device where the current binary number can be read. The sequence of free to move keys is dictated by a set of internal slotted cards. Moving a key will release another key and so on. The bottom of the device is open, allowing one to see the programming card's internal movement clearly.
Some challenges:
1) Can you predict which bit is next in the sequence?
2) Can you tell, looking at a given state, which move will count up and which will count down?
3) Can you convert a given state into its normal binary or decimal representation?
Dimensions:
180mm x 40m x 24mm (7.09in x 1.58in x 0.96in)
The Device is fully 3d Printed out of PLA. If exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time the device may warp and become stiff. Please keep your B-bar out of hot cars and off of sunny window sills:)
The B-bar (Binary bar) is an 8 bit, mechanically constrained reflected binary counter. Its addictive rhythmic movement makes it a perfect fidget for the casually interested while its design and sequence can be inspiring for the mathematically or mechanically inclined.
The B-bar is not a puzzle as the only possible moves are to undo the previous move or move the next key in the sequence. This is not to say that the B-bar cannot be puzzling, in the beginning especially it is easy to get lost in the 256 move sequence. The device has 8 keys representing binary bits which can be moved into one of two positions (states), up (high, 1) or down (low, 0). There is a window in the top of the device where the current binary number can be read. The sequence of free to move keys is dictated by a set of internal slotted cards. Moving a key will release another key and so on. The bottom of the device is open, allowing one to see the programming card's internal movement clearly.
Some challenges:
1) Can you predict which bit is next in the sequence?
2) Can you tell, looking at a given state, which move will count up and which will count down?
3) Can you convert a given state into its normal binary or decimal representation?
Dimensions:
180mm x 40m x 24mm (7.09in x 1.58in x 0.96in)
The Device is fully 3d Printed out of PLA. If exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time the device may warp and become stiff. Please keep your B-bar out of hot cars and off of sunny window sills:)