Recreating The Human Hand
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Why? We are making models of hands to appreciate the biomechanics of force in the hand where the force is generated far from where it is applied.
How? When building these models replicating the human hand was crucial to the experiment, so using our hands as references we traced them onto a sheet of paper and marked with a point each knuckle and each joint. After this was completed, we used straws as our fingers and began to cut holes through the first face of the straw where each joint was meant to be. This acted as an area that allowed the straw to bend and fold similar to how human fingers do. Furthermore, we used string so that when we tug on them, the finger would fold over and bend, this is how we controlled the grabbing motion of our hands. Once this was completed, bulk of the work was finished, but then came the questions “How do we keep these “fingers” in place?” using foam we cut holes into, this acted as the knuckles and the palm, which ultimately are what keep our fingers in place and aligned.
Observations: One main difficulty encountered throughout this process was with the string. Initially we were tasked to cut a slit onto the tip of the straw, this is where the knotted string would rest. But my partner and I discovered, if the slit was cut to small, the string would not settle properly therefore it would slip. We then fixed this issue by not only cutting the slit larger but also adding tape to the “finger tip” for extra reinforcement. Another difficulty we encountered was when we were tasked to pick up a ball and place it into a cup. When cutting the string we did not take into account the long term picture of having to control our hand as if it was our own. So when the time came to pick up the ball the strings were not proportionally set to proper control of our hands. In order to compensate for the lack of movement, we just grabbed all strings and pulled them as far as the could go, this allowed all the fingers to fold and bend and grab the ball.
Data: N/A
Analysis: Overall the construction process of this hand was pretty well rounded. If I were to do this again, I would have set string lengths that allow for proper hand control. Proper hand control being defined as mocking your every hand movement. Other than that I would just fix minor things, like rather than just slits for the strings I would add hot glue to keep it in place. Or rather than tying the string onto designated rings I would tie a knot and then glue them to avoid the rings falling off.
1) What makes the hand unique?
One thing that simply makes all human hands unique, are their opposable thumbs. But in terms of our straw hands specifically. The amount of detail that goes into the hand is very interesting, because when you think of our hands you don't think of joints and knuckles, you automatically think of just fingers, and a palm that allow us to pick things up and set them down. Constructing these hands definitely helped me realize what we take for granted everyday.
2) What other parts of the body might use a system similar to the hand?
Another body part that may function similar to the had is probably the foot. I saw that only because the foot has toes like a hand has fingers. Also like our fingers, our toes can bend and fold around joints and knuckles. Therefore in a way our feet are very similar to our hands.
3) What machines that you know of might use a similar mechanic and describe how they are similar to the hand?
Similar mechanics to the straw hand i’m not sure but a lot of machines use the grasping motion that our hands can perform. For example, the claw arcade game, or a tractor etc. As far as our straw hand mechanics not sure but as for the motions our hands can perform, there are a lot more real world applications.
How? When building these models replicating the human hand was crucial to the experiment, so using our hands as references we traced them onto a sheet of paper and marked with a point each knuckle and each joint. After this was completed, we used straws as our fingers and began to cut holes through the first face of the straw where each joint was meant to be. This acted as an area that allowed the straw to bend and fold similar to how human fingers do. Furthermore, we used string so that when we tug on them, the finger would fold over and bend, this is how we controlled the grabbing motion of our hands. Once this was completed, bulk of the work was finished, but then came the questions “How do we keep these “fingers” in place?” using foam we cut holes into, this acted as the knuckles and the palm, which ultimately are what keep our fingers in place and aligned.
Observations: One main difficulty encountered throughout this process was with the string. Initially we were tasked to cut a slit onto the tip of the straw, this is where the knotted string would rest. But my partner and I discovered, if the slit was cut to small, the string would not settle properly therefore it would slip. We then fixed this issue by not only cutting the slit larger but also adding tape to the “finger tip” for extra reinforcement. Another difficulty we encountered was when we were tasked to pick up a ball and place it into a cup. When cutting the string we did not take into account the long term picture of having to control our hand as if it was our own. So when the time came to pick up the ball the strings were not proportionally set to proper control of our hands. In order to compensate for the lack of movement, we just grabbed all strings and pulled them as far as the could go, this allowed all the fingers to fold and bend and grab the ball.
Data: N/A
Analysis: Overall the construction process of this hand was pretty well rounded. If I were to do this again, I would have set string lengths that allow for proper hand control. Proper hand control being defined as mocking your every hand movement. Other than that I would just fix minor things, like rather than just slits for the strings I would add hot glue to keep it in place. Or rather than tying the string onto designated rings I would tie a knot and then glue them to avoid the rings falling off.
1) What makes the hand unique?
One thing that simply makes all human hands unique, are their opposable thumbs. But in terms of our straw hands specifically. The amount of detail that goes into the hand is very interesting, because when you think of our hands you don't think of joints and knuckles, you automatically think of just fingers, and a palm that allow us to pick things up and set them down. Constructing these hands definitely helped me realize what we take for granted everyday.
2) What other parts of the body might use a system similar to the hand?
Another body part that may function similar to the had is probably the foot. I saw that only because the foot has toes like a hand has fingers. Also like our fingers, our toes can bend and fold around joints and knuckles. Therefore in a way our feet are very similar to our hands.
3) What machines that you know of might use a similar mechanic and describe how they are similar to the hand?
Similar mechanics to the straw hand i’m not sure but a lot of machines use the grasping motion that our hands can perform. For example, the claw arcade game, or a tractor etc. As far as our straw hand mechanics not sure but as for the motions our hands can perform, there are a lot more real world applications.