Puzzles are entertaining and educational. They are perfect if you are looking for an affordable and interesting hobby that will keep your mind busy. The very first jigsaw puzzles were created out of wood in the 1760s in Europe. Before, they were maps that were cut into little pieces that fit together. Eventually, these puzzles evolved and were made in different sizes and shapes using various materials, as well.
However, today, in the times of smartphones, high-tech gadgets, and the internet, how do you think can puzzles retain their appeal? Well, UGears has an answer to that, and that is through their 3D wooden mechanical models. UGears is a Ukraine-based company that has their official representative in the United States. The company creates different wooden mechanical puzzles or models that are both entertaining and educational. One example of this is the UGears STEM Lab Curvimeter. Read on if you want to know more about it and what other models the company offers.
What is the UGears Stem Lab Curvimeter?
If you are planning to go on a cross-country bike ride or a hiking trip with your friends, and you want to measure your jogging route, the STEM Lab Curvimeter will be useful for you. It is perfect for those who are curious about how a real distance-measuring tool works.
This wooden 3D puzzle comes in handy, especially when the lines which need to be measured are curved and not straight. Did you know that before the internet and all the modern gadgets were invented, a curvimeter was the only reliable way to measure the distance on the map? If you want to feel the spirit of those times, then assembling your own curvimeter is great.
Here are its specifications:
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Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.4 x 2.5 inches
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Size when assembled: 4.3 x 3.9 x 1.9 inches
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Estimated time of assembly: 1 to 3 hours
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Difficulty level: easy
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Number of parts: 109
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Recommended age: 14+
How Does the UGears STEM Lab Curvimeter Work?
Once you assemble the wooden 3D lab curvimeter by UGears, you will see a measuring wheel, a clock face, and a hand. To measure the length of any curved line, you need to place it at the beginning of the line and move the wheel along it. When the wheel rotates, the hand will also be put in motion. It moves around the face, just like the hand of a clock, but the markings on the face are relating to distance, such as inches, centimeters, etc. Therefore, to be able to understand the actual distance, you will need to perform simple multiplication, applying the map scale to your measured line length.
You can also enhance your learning experience through the help of the AR app, which is also developed by UGears. The wooden model also has a QR code that has lots of useful information about the device, formulas, operating principles, and as well as practical assignments.
It is a great wooden puzzle that is suitable for different ages. It is also a perfect combination to practice science in a fun and engaging way. This also comes with a detailed color assembly manual. All of its parts are laser pre-cut and made of high-quality plywood. Assembling it will not require you to use glue or other tools.
Other Wooden Models by UGears
Aside from the curvimeter, there are also many other UGears mechanical models to choose from.
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Treasure Box: There’s the UGears treasure box, which, when assembled, can be used to hold small items like small pieces of jewelry or a set of keys. It is actually a fun box to use because to open it, you will need to spin a wheel gear and press on the hand lever. It will activate the internal mechanism of the box, lifting it slightly upward and opening its lid. And to close it, you just need to hold your finger on the hand lever a bit longer, and the lid will begin to close.
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Safe: The UGears Safe is a construction kit that will enable you to build your own safe that features a real working combination lock. It is great storage for some of your most important small items. You can also use it to practice some safecracking skills, but only for fun, of course. It is a great customizable toy that is guaranteed to bring the fun.
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Hurdy-Gurdy: The UGears Hurdy-Gurdy is the world’s first fully functioning musical instrument. It is a string musical instrument that you can actually play. It is an exact replica of a medieval French instrument, and it features intricately detailed décor. It is an aesthetically pleasing wooden 3D model that you can display in your house and use to play some music.
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Train: The UGears train is a fascinating steam locomotive model. It is an exquisitely detailed design of V-Express, which will enable you to observe the beauty of its moving elements. It has shacks, gears, flywheel, and cylinder-piston arrangement that makes it look like a real train. It runs on a rubber-band operating motor, and it can go as far as 13 feet in a single wind. The UGears train model is a great puzzle to build and a fun and educational toy to play with.
There are many more fascinating UGears models aside from the ones we mentioned here. They are perfect for people who are into building puzzles, learning mechanisms, and having fun. All of their models are also great to display at home and in the office. These are perfect gifts for family and friends, too!