Anthromorphic design methodology for multifingered arm prosthesis

Abstract

This paper proposes a new approach of designing anthropometric hand that mimicking human hand. The first part reviews different work done in developing prosthetic arms.The second part reviews on design of hand prosthesis based on plane of action and approaches of defining prehension motion of the fingers and the thumb. This part emphasizes more on the endoskeletal design which gives advantages on designing mechanical part. There are two approaches throughout the research namely morphology design and 4-bar linkage design. Morphology design involves a 3D CAD design using IronCad software to determine the appropriate angle of flexion and extension of general fingers model and thumb model. The finger's model next is analyzed by 4 bar linkage mechanism to check prehension of fingers at any angle. Finally the hand prototype is manufactured using RP machine to test its efficacy. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.