Below are simple recommendations for assembling and using our cubiks. We’ve kept the language human and practical so you can work comfortably and get sturdy, neat constructions.

Cubiks are connected with clips. In typical cases, two clips placed in different planes are enough to join cubiks. If you need higher stiffness, use four clips on all sides. When maximum strength is required, use all available clip slots. In the standard kit we include four clips per cubik, which is sufficient for most tasks, but for higher loads just use more; additional clip sets are available on our website. During assembly it’s important that all facets of the cubik snap fully, and that the clips seat completely. Otherwise installation becomes difficult and the joint loses strength.

Facets in the system have different roles. Void is decorative and lightweight; it saves budget and weight but is not intended to carry loads. It is convenient for joint surfaces between cubiks or inside columns where no load is transferred, or for lightly loaded elements. Outer, load-bearing surfaces are better made from ZEN or BION. In a vertical column, for example, inner walls can be assembled from Void to form a light “tube,” while the outer walls are ZEN or BION so they actually carry the load.

If you are assembling a long horizontal beam or a large plane, keep in mind that snap joints have a very small clearance. Over long spans these micro-gaps add up and create slight sag. Minimum deflection is achieved with beams assembled from ZEN or BION. Steel wire cable bracing helps a lot: run cables through the corner holes and tension the assembly; the beam becomes noticeably stiffer and almost doesn’t sag. From a mechanics standpoint it’s more effective to brace through the lower holes rather than the upper ones. Maintain symmetry: for a beam, tension from both sides; for a square plane, run bracing around the perimeter, for example with four cables. The specific scheme is up to engineers, based on calculations and service conditions.

Provisions for fixing and bracing are built in. In the corners of BION there are ready through-holes: you can anchor to a wall or base, install hooks, or pass cables. ZEN has the same corner pads but closed from the outside; if needed, simply drill them with a regular bit at the four corners and use them for anchors or cable bracing.

We deliberately do not give exact limits for lengths, deflections, and loads: plastic ages in the sun, becomes more brittle in severe frost, and everyone’s operating modes differ. In safety-critical cases, engineering calculations have the final word.

A note on half-facets ZEN/2. They have a smaller contact area and fewer clips, so joint stiffness is lower than with full-size ZEN. On large planes this must be considered. ZEN/2 also has corner drill points, so you can use anchors and cables to reinforce and level the planes.

Constructions made of cubiks are light, so outdoors they can be shifted by wind, especially if the area is large and “sails.” There are three simple solutions: anchor to the base through the corner holes (BION has ready holes, ZEN can be drilled); press the lower rows with long staples driven into the ground, pinching the Void facet flanges together; and ballast the lower cubiks with sand or gravel, preferably when the base is built from ZEN. Weather varies by region and in some places wind is stronger than forecasts suggest, so the final stability scheme is determined by engineers using calculations and common sense.

A few words about material properties. Plastic exhibits creep: under prolonged load it slowly “settles” and deflection grows. Outdoors, ultraviolet and frost act on it; over time the material loses elasticity and can become brittle. In sun and cold it’s reasonable to assume lower permissible loads and periodically inspect joints. Don’t forget thermal expansion: leave small clearance gaps and do not clamp the structure rigidly to avoid internal stresses during temperature swings.

On loads. A cubik with a BION facet under uniform pressure over the entire surface withstands approximately one and a half tonnes until the facets begin to separate. This gives an idea of static vertical strength, but it does not apply to point or impact loads. If you press with a crowbar at one point or strike the center of a facet, failure will occur at a lower force; the facet can be damaged and clips broken, after which the cubiks will separate. For zones where strong impacts or concentrated loads are possible, it’s better to use more massive materials like concrete rather than plastic.

What should you do before putting a new configuration into service? Run trial tests under real conditions: check how the joint behaves, whether there is unexpected deflection or play, and how the base fixing performs. If you have test results and observations, please share them with us — we will compile the experience and improve these recommendations.

Finally, about warranty and responsibility. These recommendations are written for your safety and for reliable performance. Following them is a mandatory condition of warranty service. All critical decisions about strength, wind stability, and durability must be made by engineers based on calculations and applicable standards. Failure to follow the recommendations, use outside the intended conditions, overloads, prohibited scenarios, as well as the influence of extreme factors (fire, severe frost, point and impact loads, etc.) may lead to damage and release the manufacturer from liability. We will update this text as we gain practical experience and we always welcome feedback.

We would also like to note that we appreciate any shared experience using our cubiks or suggestions for improving the cubiks’ design or ways to use them.