Use this guide to get started!
The Only Modular and Flexible Epic Fort System - all structures are made with these 8 parts. Spheres are created with a 90° quarter turn lock (grey and dark blue) and push-to-snap tabs (light blue).
How the parts interlock with a 1/4-turn and snap.
animation in keyshot - CAD in Solidworks (arrows too)
Videography by Raymond Craig @ Blue Marble Creative Dept.
Unfortunately this 70 piece kit actually uses 71 pieces and the missing piece wasn't my dropped ball. I had created a complex CAD build with and accurate BOM. The issue happened after we had user-tested 6 builds and, at the last minute, one of these small builds (Puppet Stage) got swapped out for another (Hut - previously teepee). The edit is in the works.
90° elliptical lock mechanism
multiple uses for hubs in many configurations and orientations
Polyhedrons are possible with flex hubs
use a hemisphere to torque the extender 90° to lock/unlock
use the pole as a tool to leverage the hemisphere
two orientations of the hemispheres - aligned and 45° askew
Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
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Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
View PDF
View PDF
Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
View PDF
View PDF
Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
View PDF
View PDF
Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
View PDF
View PDF
Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
View PDF
View PDF
Epic Fort Kit instructions - I created all the ID, Keyshot Renders (including arrows), Instruction stages and methods, Solidworks CAD assemblies, 98% ME, but very little of the graphic layout which was done by Katie Collins @ Blue Marble Creative Dept. .
View PDF
View PDF
Early ID before coring out the 8-point for wall thickness and adding snap features
CMF to match NatGeo' Kid's Pottery Wheel
Early ID before coring out the 8-point for wall thickness and adding snap features
5-POD Solidworks Assembly - this can be 3,4,5, or 6 legged!
CASTLE - basic cubes and pyramids can be created with all rigid parts
5-POD Solidworks Assembly - this can be 3,4,5, or 6 legged!
MOON LANDER BOM and rough dimensions
SHORT TIPI is the NG preferred spelling for the conical tent used by American Indians. This is an exception to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, which prefers tepee and considers teepee and tipi as variant spellings.
TALL TIPI is the NG preferred spelling for the conical tent used by American Indians. This is an exception to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, which prefers tepee and considers teepee and tipi as variant spellings.
MOON LANDER - Top POV (old colors)
MOON LANDER - 3/4 POV (old colors)
MOON LANDER - FRONT POV (old colors)
ROCKET
CHANGING TENT - hubs not aligned - build wasn't needed for box renders, patents, or instructions
CAVE - hubs not aligned - build wasn't needed for box renders, patents, or instructions
ICOSAHEDRON TRUNCATED - hubs not aligned - build wasn't needed for box renders, patents, or instructions
IGLOO - hubs not aligned - build wasn't needed for box renders, patents, or instructions
CIRCUS TENT & DOME TENT - hubs not aligned - build wasn't needed for box renders, patents, or instructions
SAUCER & TARGET - hubs not aligned - build wasn't needed for box renders, patents, or instructions
PYRAMID lite
4-POD - this can be 3,4,5, or 6 legged!
TIPI is the NG preferred spelling for the conical tent used by American Indians. This is an exception to Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, which prefers tepee and considers teepee and tipi as variant spellings.
MOON LANDER
5-POD UP - this can be 3,4,5, or 6 legged!
CASTLE
5-POD DOWN - this can be 3,4,5, or 6 legged!
6-POD - this can be 3,4,5, or 6 legged!
Thank you! This was one of my favorite build discoveries - the Moon Lander - It is pretty tricky to build but more tricky to create instructions for!
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Epic Fort Kit System - National Geographic
STEM Toys for building...
The Only Modular and Flexible Epic Fort System - all structures are made with these 8 parts! Spheres are created with a 90° quarter turn lock (grey & dark blue) and push-to-snap tabs (light blue).
See all the possibilities!?
HINT- secret builds herein!
BUILD THE COOLEST FORTS EVER - With 225 pieces, kids can build forts that are nothing less than epic! This fort building kit makes it easy to build an indoor fort with endless configurations. It's perfect for creative building and play!
BENDABLE PIECES MAKE BUILDING EASY - The Flex-Tech hubs in this fort kit hold the poles tight and flex, allowing kids to build tents, castles, even dome-shaped forts! Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they construct the perfect play fort.
DURABLE, PREMIUM-QUALITY
COMPONENTS - Sturdy poles in two different lengths work with the Flex-Tech hubs to create a number of dynamic structures, with 12 included clips that make it easy to cover the fort with a sheet or blanket.
Available
Freelance, Moonlighting
Allen Wilson
Industrial Designer in Research, Development and Design @ Blue Marble
Medford, OR