Fin Gripper (Robotic/Prosthetic Hybrid) - Mark VI

myminifactory

This innovative object has been submitted to the MakeShaper Design Challenge. The Fin Gripper - Black Ram Hand Mark VI boasts an extraordinary hand design that harnesses the power of the Fin Ray Effect, granting the wearer the ability to grasp delicate or irregularly shaped items that are typically out of reach for rigid claws or fingers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx3ydgDCSx4 Each Fin Grip finger is meticulously printed with a flexible material (Ninja Flex was used in this instance). Due to limitations with my printer, I resorted to ordering the parts through 3D Hubs. The ideal filament should have a Shore A hardness of between 60-80 and be printed with 100% infill (an example of 85 Duro was shown, but it still felt somewhat stiff). The hand is powered by mechanical wrist movement, necessitating sufficient palm space to push against the device. It converts wrist rotation into a linear sliding motion to activate the end gripper. When the wrist is bent downward, the slider retracts, closing the hand. Conversely, when the wrist is straightened, the slider advances, causing the hand to open. Observant viewers will notice that the fingers flex around objects and then securely grasp them in place. Two versions are available: a 2-finger "pincer" model and a 3-finger "Tri-claw" design. Print Requirements: * 14 x Bolts * 10 x Nuts * 3 x Fingrips - Printed in flexible filament or resin (60-80 Duro - Shore A with 100% infill) * 3 x Hinges * 1 each of the remaining parts If the parts exhibit a snug fit, lightly sand them back using a file to achieve a comfortable fit. The Black Ram Hand was designed as an assistive technology tool, not intended to replace existing prosthetic hands. Rather, it serves as a platform for individuals to design and utilize their own custom manipulators tailored to specific tasks and needs. This approach is analogous to the development of robotic grippers and end-effectors, which are often engineered for particular purposes. The Black Ram Hand aims to support individuals with missing fingers or conditions like Dupuytren's Contracture.