[FLAT] Articulated Finger Extensions

How to Help? As this model participates in an ongoing contest, you could help a lot be leaving a like/comment on: https://makerworld.com/community/post/1832304 Thank you!

IMPORTANT Learning from the frequently asked questions on my previous model, I'll start a FAQ block on the very bottom of this description. This is not a difficult project, but it is still somewhat complex. I ask everyone to first watch the mechanism animation on the bottom, go have a high level understanding of what we are building. Then watch the assembly demonstration video, to see how the parts fit together. Then take measurements, read the parameters and experiment. For experimentation, I recommend starting with the “complete” render mode with XRAY on. Always check all the points of contact between parts to ensure there is sufficient range of motion. Once you are satisfied, turn off XRAY, turn on SUPPORTS, and switch to ‘print’ render mode. If you run into any issues, please first check the FAQ section, maybe I already answered it there. If not, feel free to raise your questions/concerns in a comment, and I'll try to reply in a timely manner. Thank you!

Assembly Demonstration

Measurement Demonstration

Parameters FINGER TYPE

- THUMB If enabled, the finger extension will have 2 phalanges, if disabled, the finger will have 3 phalanges.

BODY MEASUREMENTS

- BASE_LENGTH The measured BASE_LENGTH distance, as demonstrated above.

- BASE_WIDTH The measured BASE_WIDTH distance, as demonstrated above.

- BASE_THICKNESS The measured BASE_THICKNESS distance, as demonstrated above.

- TIP_LENGTH The measured TIP_LENGTH distance, as demonstrated above.

- TIP_LENGTH The measured TIP_LENGTH distance, as demonstrated above.

- TIP_LENGTH The measured TIP_LENGTH distance, as demonstrated above.

BASIC CUSTOMIZATION

- MIDDLE_LENGTH The desired length of the middle phalanx.

- DISTAL_LENGTH The desired length of the distal phalanx. (for thumbs as well)

- INNER_PART_WIDTH The width of the components inside the mechanism. (gears, shafts)

ADVANCED CUSTOMIZATION

- WALL_THICKNESS The thickness of all walls, including the hinge wall around pins, where applicable.

- PIN_DIAMETER The diameter of connector pins.

- PIN_OPENING_NARROW_WIDTH_MULTIPLIER The width of the pin hole openings' narrow part as a percentage of the PIN_DIAMETER. The wider it is, the easier to press in the pin, but also the less resistance to keep it in the hole.

- CLEARANCE The distance between parts. (e.g. if the gear is 5mm wide, and the clearance is 0.4mm, then the gear-space will be 5.4mm wide)

- HOLE_CLEARANCE How much bigger should the pin-holes be than the pins. (e.g. if the pin's diameter is 2mm, and the clearance is 0.2mm, then the pin-hole has a diameter of 2.2mm)

- SUPPORT_CLEARANCE The distance between the support and the part it supports. If it is too small, the support will fuse with the part, and not break off easily, if it is too large, the support will not help the part, and the part will sag. It is wise to set the support clearance in relation to the layer height. Since by default I'll use .2mm layers, that is the default of this)

RENDERING

- RENDER_MODE Different views of the model. - complete: shows you the finger as it is supposed to be assembled

- print: arranges the parts ready for printing

- others: individual parts can be rendered in isolation

- SHOW_SUPPORT If enabled, the supports are added to the model, if disabled, then not. If you have trouble printing the supports accurately, feel free to disable this, and autogenerate supports by the slicer.

- XRAY Chops off half of the parts, so you can better see the inner mechanisms. Mostly useful while you are just designing the parts, and want to confirm that every part connects to the rest correctly.