Flexy-Hand - Filaflex Remix

thingiverse

This pushes FDM printing with elastic filaments to a new level. An update of the original Flexy-Hand, whose fingers are optimized for printing with elastic filaments. This model was printed using Skin I Filaflex; Skin II is also available. Key Features: Hidden finger hinges; it's all in the geometry. Fingers compatible with the Flexy-Hand family. Each finger and thumb is printed as one piece using CraftWare customisable supports. Silent, realistic articulation. Two thumb angle variants are included. Base mountable for use as a terminal device on an existing prosthesis. Thanks to Jeff Erenstone of Performance Orthopedic Design for his valuable input throughout the design process. http://www.gyrobot.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/gyrobotuk Instructions Printing the fingers in elastic filament (e.g., Filaflex) is required; ensure they are oriented like the STL file. Printing fingers with supports for stability can be helpful, I used Craftware's customisable supports to add additional support, and also reduce extrusion width and layer height until thin skin covering the hinge areas have two complete perimeters. Printing the base hinges next; a dab of glue is needed to secure them to the finger. The hinges are printed with no infill and 3 perimeters (depending on scale), making them "spongy"; you may want to adjust this for stiffer or more flexible hinges. Hinges at the base of the fingers have been designed to aid finger return, consult the section image for reference. Print the bolt plug and bolt carrier in a rigid material. The bolt carrier will benefit from being printed with the first few layers using the same colored material as the hand to ensure concealment. For mounting on a prosthesis at 100% scale, use an M12 or industry standard 1/2" HEX headed screw/bolt. Stringing Tendons A long stiff wire should be sent down the tendon channels first; then attach the tendon to this wire and pull through to the base of the finger. Thread a tendon down the tip of the finger immediately followed by pulling it back out, looping around the integral tie bar at the end of the fingertip. A useful tool for grabbing the tendon is a small piece of wire (paperclip) bent into a hook. Secure the tendon off and hold in place with Superglue.