Articulated Modular Finger Gauntlet (Make It Move)

Hey maker, in this instructable I will be guiding you along the process of makeing a modular finger guantlet! The gauntlet fits onto the tip and around the two segments of your finger (This does not include the thumb). It is able to move freely with connecting rods, and with the added rail on the tip, you can add your own contraption to customize it!

Supplies

Editor:

tinkercad.com

3D Printing:

-A 3D Printer (duh)

-Your Choice of Filament

Assembly:

-An Adhesive (Superglue works best for plastic)

Step 1: Step 1: Creating the Ring

Begin by dragging in a tube into the editor and size it to the dimensions [x-19, y-10, z-19] with a wall thickness of [2.5] you can choose to bevel the edges of the shape if you like. Next create a cube hole and size it to the dimensions [x-4, y-4, z-10] and place it so that when combined with the tube, now group it with the ring. It should cut a slit out of the bottom.

The inner diameter of this specific piece is 14mm, as it is close to the average finger diameter of a person, but is a bit smaller so that it will fit snugly. The slit in the bottom will allow the ring to flex to fit around larger fingers, but if the ring is too small for you, you can size it specifically to your fingers.

Step 2: Step 2: Creating the Connector Rods

To begin making the part, drag a cube in to the workspace and size it to the dimensions [x-4, y-30, z-1] Then drag in a cylinder and size it to the dimensions [x-4, y-1, z-4] Place this circle in the short end of the rectangle so that only half is sticking out, it should overlap with the rectangle. Repeat this for the other short end of the rectangle and group the three parts together.

Now drag in a cylindrical hole and size it to the dimensions [x-2, y-1, z-2] place the hole in the middle of the circle on the short end of the part. Repeat this for the other side and group the objects. Next, drag a cube hole in and size it to the dimensions [x-2, y-1, z-30] place the hole in the middle of the part so that it connects the two circular holes, now group the parts. Finally, size a cube to the dimensions [x-2, y-1, z-4] and place it in the middle of the part so that it separates it into two halves, now group it to the part. This will prevent the two finger pieces from getting too close to each other.

Step 3: Step 3: Creating the Short Pegs

To begin making the pegs that will hold the connector rods, drag a cylinder into the workspace and size it to the dimensions [x-1.5, y-2, z-1.5] this is the shaft of the peg. Next drag in another cylinder and size it to the dimensions [x-3, y-1, z-3]. Attach the larger circle to the top of the shaft and group the two parts together, in total it should be 3mm tall.

You will need two of these small pegs.

Step 4: Step 4: Creating the Long Pegs

To create the longer pegs, start by duplicating one of your short pegs (ctrl + d) now ungroup its parts (ctrl + shift + g) finally, lengthen the shaft by 1mm and move the head to the top. Then group the parts again, in total it should be 4mm tall.

You will need 4 of the long pegs.

Step 5: Step 5: Modifying the Ring

In order to attach the connector rods to the ring we will need to edit the main ring. To begin, size a cylindrical hole to the dimensions [x-1.5, y-1, z-1.5] these dimensions should be identical to those of the small and long pegs. Next rotate the cylinder so that it is perpendicular to the wall of the ring, then position it 1mm into the middle of the wall of the cylinder, half way up. Finally, repeat this on the other side of the ring.

You will need three of these rings.

Step 6: Step 6: Creating the End Cap

To make the end cap that will fit onto the tip of your finger, begin by sizing a half sphere to the dimensions [x-19, y-10, z-19] then create a half sphere hole and size it to the dimensions [x-14, y-7.5, z-14] place the larger half sphere directly over the hole and group them. This should make the larger half sphere hollow. Next, place the half sphere over the end of the third ring so that there are no seams, group the two parts.

Step 7: Step 7: Modifying the End Cap

First size a cube hole to the dimensions [x-4, y-4, z-15] then place it in the middle of the bottom of the sphere in line with the first slit, making sure that it extends through the end of the cap, then group the parts and repeat this for the top. These slits will allow larger fingers to fit into the end cap, but if your fingers don't fit, you can size it to your finger specifically.

Step 8: Step 8: Creating the Rail System

To begin, drag in a cube and size it to the dimensions [x-9.3, y-0.7, z-3.3] then drag in a triangular prism and size it to the dimensions [x-9.3, y-1.5, z-3.3]. Place the rectangle on the top of the sphere so that it is in line with the top plane (see first picture) Next, group the parts and duplicate it, setting one to a hole. Then drag in a square and size it to the size of the hole, leaving a 1mm gap on the sides and top (See second picture). Group the two parts, this creates the male piece of the rail (The one that we duplicated) and the female part of the rail (The one that we just made).

Step 9: Step 9: Implementing the Rail System

To implement the rail, flip it 180 degrees so that the top is open (See picture one) next, place it on the front of the end cap, but make sure that none of the end cap sticks through the part. If any does, remove it with a cube hole.Then group the parts.What makes this project modular is the male rail, which you can customize by adding anything that you would like to the end of it, which can then be attached to the end of the finger.

Step 10: Assembly:

To assemble the part, begin by placing a small peg through a connector rail, then glue the peg into the first ring. Make sure not to glue the connector rod, also make sure to leave room for the connector rod to rotate.

Next, place a long peg through the other end of the first connector rod, then through the end of another. Glue the long peg into the second ring.

Then, insert a long peg through the other end of the second connector rod and glue it into the end cap.

Finally, repeat these processes on the other side and wallah! You've made yourself a modular finger gauntlet! And as an added bonus, you can customize the attachable rail in any way that you'd like!

I hope that you were able to successfully create this little creation, and that you will be able to come up with some fun add-ons!