Seamless Cuboctahedron Frame Tutorial (Zen Magnets)

In general, to build a seamless cuboctahedron frame with edge length L, you will need eight triangles of edge length L-2, eight triangles of edge length L-1, and a total of 96(L-2) magnets. The triangles can be built from rings, as shown in this video, or can be built directly from a chain of magnets, as shown in the construction video. If using rings, you'll need eight rings of 3(L-3) magnets for the small L-2 triangles and eight rings of 3(L-2) magnets for the large L-1 triangles.

For example, for edge length L = 10 shown in this video, you'll need eight small triangles of edge length 8, eight large triangles of edge length 9, and a total of 768 magnets. To build these triangles, use eight rings of 21 magnets for the small triangles and eight rings of 24 magnets for the large triangles, and pinch these rings into triangles.

Add an extra ring around each small triangle and an extra ring around each large triangle. Place four small triangles atop four large triangles to make four triangular subunits of type A. Turn over the remaining triangles to reverse their polarities. Place the four small triangles atop the four large triangles and remove four magnets from each corner to make four triangular subunits of type B.

Construct the cuboctahedron by placing an A subunit at the bottom, three B subunits at the second level, three A subunits at the third level, and a B subunit at the top, with subunits of different types joined at corners.

[YoyoBandalore]

Are you still playing with magnets? I just got mine out after many years. They are keeping me occupied during this cold weather in Georgia. :)

[GalaxyTraveler]

Excellent and good understandable tutorial as usual!

[frankmartinez]

Can you show how the small one is made