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Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand
Includes bibliographical references.
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| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Department of Mechanical Engineering
2015
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| _version_ | 1867613332047921152 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Tenim, Severin |
| author2 | Vicatos, George |
| author_browse | Tenim, Severin Vicatos, George |
| author_facet | Vicatos, George Tenim, Severin |
| author_sort | Tenim, Severin |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Includes bibliographical references. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13280 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:34:27.383Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| publisherStr | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/13280 Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand Tenim, Severin Vicatos, George Mechanical Engineering Includes bibliographical references. This dissertation outlines the conceptualisation, design, manufacture, assembly and experimental testing of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical hand prosthesis. In many countries, upper-limb amputees lack access to prosthetic hand devices. Furthermore, currently available mechanical devices require a large amount of effort to actuate; fatiguing and frustrating patients who have no other alternative but to use them. Consequently, a need has arisen to provide a mechanical device that is affordable enough to be accessible to low and middle-income patients, is functional enough to allow users to easily perform their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and is aesthetically appealing enough to ensure that patients feel comfortable and confident when wearing it. Concept solutions of several mechanisms were identified and evaluated from which the final design was selected. Analytical force analysis was used to generate a mathematical model to analyse the response of each dynamic member in the hand. A linear relationship between the input-force and applied grasp-forces of the hand was identified. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) used to investigate the lateral and hyperextensive loading limits of the phalanges, generated results that corresponded well to the experimental outcomes. Amongst the utilised actuation mechanisms (levers, pulleys, tendon-wires, bearings and springs), the tendon-wires were of concern due to their repetitive tensile loading and relative movement with the phalanges. Tensile testing of various tendon-wires and endurance testing of the phalangeal tendon-channels, yielded a combination which surpassed the infinite life requirement of 1,200,000 loading cycles; with carbon-nylon contact wearing at the lowest rate as confirmed by gravimetric tests in accordance with ASTM F2025 (2000). Manufacture of the hand used rapid prototyping in combination with traditional machining methods and standard components, enabling a fully-assembled cost of R 11,628.37; below the required R 18,000 limit. Various power and precision grasping configurations were achieved and the contact forces satisfactorily maintained, using the hand’s built-in locking mechanism. Feedback gathered from the prosthetist and patients suggested making slight alterations to the hand’s aesthetics and to address minor functional challenges, such as the control of the closing trajectory for precision grasps. 2015-07-02T08:35:47Z 2015-07-02T08:35:47Z 2014 Master Thesis Masters MSc (Eng) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13280 eng application/pdf Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Mechanical Engineering Tenim, Severin Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| title_full | Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| title_fullStr | Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| title_short | Design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| title_sort | design of an affordable anthropomorphic mechanical prosthetic hand |
| topic | Mechanical Engineering |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13280 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tenimseverin designofanaffordableanthropomorphicmechanicalprosthetichand |