Fully 3D Printed Prosthetic Hand

This thesis project focused on the study, design, and implementation of forearm prostheses with additive manufacturing technology. By applying of myoelectric hardware (EMG), muscle signals were registered by the user, they were decoded and converted into hand movements (activation of the mechanism of fingers and the mechanism of the wrist). The artificial limb was made with additive manufacturing technology.

Inspiration

Open Bionics

“Turning Disabilities Into Superpowers”

Ottobock

“Mobility is the key to living life on your own terms”

Nevertheless, the two characters come together harmoniously giving an overall complete even result. Also, like a familiar sound or a familiar smell, the whole construction feels familiar as it shares characteristics with 'robots as we know or imagine them'.

The whole aesthetic gives a confidence, an intimacy to the user, making him want to explore, get to know and perhaps love this particular hand. These elements are critical to a bionic hand as it becomes a part of the user, not just figuratively, but literally.

After a lot of pre-work, the transformation of a design, with an aesthetically pleasing result, into a real industrial hand was achieved. It took several hours of careful planning and project organization to make this result possible.

The aesthetic is characterized by organizational forms, with strong contrast both in color and geometry. All the bright white pieces seem to exude a relaxing mood, while the blacks are contrasted with a black-dominant character with industrial features such as prominent moving parts, sharp details and organized patterns.

The Hand

Study and research helped to understand the problem and to structure principles, which must be served in order to realize a worthy result. Ideation and design gave form, features and life to this bionic hand, while planning and construction brought ideas and designs to life. All stages were necessary to ensure the following result.

Also, great emphasis on functionality so that it can meet the needs of a disabled person in their daily life, needs that may not seem difficult to others, but for some people, without this device, they are impossible. The cost, carefully studied for a proper balance of functionality and economy. Weight, which comes into conflict with durability and accessibility as there are some instances of people who need it in faraway countries.

Many parameters contributed to this process. Careful evaluation of the aesthetics, so that it can simultaneously 'resemble' a state-of-the-art robot and a human hand. A link that could only be possible with a lot of attention to detail and even more study.