The Design of the Prosthetic Index Finger Actuated by Shape Memory Alloy Wires

G. Roznowski and M. Drzewiecki (Poland)

Keywords

Biomechanics, functional hand prosthesis, artificial finger, SMA actuators.

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to provide an integrated design of the artificial index finger and to present the result of utilizing advanced and smart materials such as Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) in order to power the joints of the finger. There were used five NiTi wires, which enable flexible manipulation. The big advantages of the SMA are their incredible small size, volume and weight, their high force to weight ratio, their low cost and human- like behaviour. This paper describes our implementation of one finger of a future biomechatronic hand. The finger was developed in the Robotics Laboratory of the Mechanical Faculty at the Gdansk University of Technology.

Important Links:

Go Back