3D Printed Life-sized Hobby Hand

BRG Inc. represents a new 3D Printed hobbyist hand kit that opens up nearly limitless possibilities. The Hobby Hand is a 3D printed robotic hand that can imitate real hand movements. It is so easy to control that everyone can do it. At present it is an open-source test kit, which uses the technologies of the company’s previous project (the Nu-Hand). This Hand kit is to provide assistance in future productions of 3D prosthetic hands. It can also prove to be efficient for DIYers, hobbyists and tinkerers, as well as those who are interested in robotics. The Hobby Hand may as well be a nice introductory program for learning programming, sensors, micro-controllers and hardware.

The bionic hand consists of five servomotors (that govern lateral movement) and a servomotor frame, which has five more servomotors to provide flexion. The hand is mounted onto the servomotor frame with a top piece; the frame in its turn connects the servomotors and the flexion cables. The control center of the hand is the Arduino mega+ servo shield, which is under the servo motor frame. The shield is where sensors, motors and other auxiliaries are fixed to the board.

The fingers are made up of four bands each, which form a centre line to increase stability of the fingers.

If you decide to order the hand, mind you that it arrives unassembled. To put it together you will need common hand tools. The hand goes with a clear manual, tutorials to help you assemble it. But there is also an option to order the hand ready-assembled.

The Hobby Hand is absolutely 3D printed, which makes it so specific. It is made from PLA – environmentally friendly thermoplastic. The hand is absolutely modular. Any part can be repaired or replaced if needed. The hand goes with a small breadboard, so that users could add extra sensors, speakers or LEDs. To make servomotors drive the Arudino mega uses an external power adapter.

The hand design is complete, yet the Kickstarter campaign is not over, so several updates will follow. The project does not seem to be risky. Nevertheless, it is the distributors’ responsibility to deliver all the parts of the kit safe and secure.