Created for Ava by Uncle Les, these 4AVA ModuLes are a work in progress. Please do not print at this time unless you are willing to experiment as they do not properly interlock yet. They will, however, become a unique and useful Lego-like interlocking toy, building block, and maker resource in time.

The blocks are arranged in a 3D checkerboard fashion that is denoted by code as "if (x+y+z%2) block();", or in other words just add up the sum of the integer positions of x, y, and z, then take the modulo 2 of that sum. If the result is one, put a block there and if not, leave it empty. This makes a 3D space filling checkerboard, neat huh?

So far so good, however there is a problem. We need to make the blocks be exactly the same size as the empty space between them to get a nice firm interlock. This means subtract the nozzle diameter from the block size, arrange them into a brick as described by the modulus of sum above, and we're good to go right?

Unfortunately if we just do that then the blocks fall apart easily as they are not held together by much, and they don't print well either. Solutions are many, including running supports at the internal edges and putting a solid box in the middle, as well as many other possibilities.

We can surely agree, however, that once the kinks are worked out of this intriguing interlocking block system, the possibilities are endless. For example we can take any STL file, say of Mickey Mouse shape, intersect it using the intersection() operator with an encompassing 4AVA ModuLe, and the STL file shape of Mickey Mouse itself becomes a 4AVA ModuLe. neat, huh? Everything everywhere becomes joinable.

So you can see the potential - I will revisit this topic to try to get it working properly, and I hope you will too!

Les