Mechanical design of a biologically inspired prosthetic hand, the touch hand 3.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
The Touch hand 3 was developed to improve on the mechanical and mechatronic design of the
Touch hand 2. A basic prototype hand was rapidly developed using 3D CAD software and 3D
printing and tested on an amputee. The improvements in the final design included an improved
finger actuation system utilizing mechanical linkages, an improved Electromyography (EMG)
operated control system, four micro-linear servo-motors, modular fingers, hinges and chassis.
The final design was designed such that the hand can be easily interchanged between a fully
mechatronic system and full mechanically operated system using the same generic parts
including the chassis, finger and wrist components. The hands were both tested with the Yale
Open Hand test, a test used to assess robotic grippers. The Southampton Hand Assessment
Procedure (SHAP), a test usually used to assess the effectiveness of upper limb prostheses, was
also carried out on both versions of the hand. The hands were also tested with a hand
dynamometer to assess their grip strength. The hand were compared to current hands on the
market and their strength and weaknesses analysed.
Description
Masters Degrees. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban.