Digital design of low-cost 3-DOF prosthetic hand

This paper presents a low-cost 3-DOF (Degree design software. The prosthetic hand has 3 movements including fingers opening and closing, wrist swinging and wrist rotating. Structure and dimensions are defined by the shape features and physical functions of real hands. A digital design software is developed to assist the design of prosthetic hand parts. Equations of profile curves are defined before the digital design. With the equations and Solid-Works API (Application Programming Interface), a 3D part could be generated by coding in VB (Visual Basic). The software has two function modules, quick design module and customizable design module. As for the quick design module, it is designed for the disabled with one hand. Scan the healthy hand of the disabled, critical dimensions will be extracted and 3D drawing of related parts can be generated. The customizable design module is developed for special order. According to the order, the designer can design prosthetic hand quickly using the digital software.