Kickstarter Hand finger

thingiverse

The original plan was to share just the finger joints for the £10 and £15 reward tiers on Kickstarter's robotic hand project. However, it was later decided to give out an entire finger instead. The finger was printed using ABS material and required specific tools such as a flexible wire (20+cm of AFW 7x7 Surflon Micro Supreme 40lb), rubber bands (small enough to stretch 10-20mm while supplying force; dreadlock hair bands were used), screws (2x 3x16mm socket head screws and 1x 3x20mm), M3 nuts (3x nyloc for better grip), and a crimp (AFW size #3). The files for printing were designed in such a way to prevent overhang and ensure continuous base, and the suggested layer height was 0.25mm. After printing, excess plastic had to be removed carefully using an exacto knife, and other extra material cut off. Acetone could be used to glue the halves together or for sanding/finishing. Drilling of screw and tendon holes was required in the distal phalange with 3.2mm and 1.5mm drill bits respectively. The screws had to be inserted through the finger joints, ensuring hinge flexibility and tightening nuts without clamping joints shut. Tendons were threaded through each section of the finger and crimped for security before elastic bands were placed on the joints for return force. The completed finger would function as a working part of a robot.