In the realm of science fiction, one of the most iconic images is that of gigantic, rideable mechs. These colossal machines, usually piloted by humans, have become a staple in popular culture, particularly in Japan. However, the reality of constructing such a machine is fraught with engineering challenges and substantial financial cost, largely due to the custom fabrication required. Enter the world of 3D-printing, a technology that could potentially make these giant robotic machines more accessible.
Enter Ivan Miranda, a visionary who dared to test this concept by constructing a massive 3D-printed robotic hand, large enough to be part of a colossal mech. Miranda chose to start with the hand as a way to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. This was by no means a simple task. The sheer size of the hand alone would make even a static model a significant project. However, Miranda went a step further, creating a fully articulated and motorized version.
The hand features the same number of joints as a human hand, each one independently controlled. This necessitates 15 individual motors, each capable of supporting substantial weight and ideally, a respectable payload. To construct this behemoth, Miranda utilized several large-format 3D printers that he had built over the years. These machines allowed him to print the oversized components as single parts, bypassing the need to break them up into smaller pieces.
The majority of the hand’s components were made from rigid PLA, while the pads on the fingers and palm were crafted from flexible TPU. Each joint is actuated by a heavy-duty servo motor, controlled by an Arduino Mega board using PWM (pulse-width modulation), a common technique in electronics and programming languages.
The servos responsible for moving the joints are capable of producing 11kg-cm of torque, which is quite an impressive feat. However, the servos located in the palm at the base of each finger are even more powerful, boasting 25kg-cm of torque. Despite this impressive power output, the hand is not particularly strong. It can move itself without difficulty but would struggle to grasp anything heavy. Additionally, the belts used in the construction tend to stretch and skip under tension. However, this issue could be resolved with stronger belts.
It remains to be seen whether Miranda will continue his project and build the rest of the mech to accompany this hand. However, his work has already demonstrated that 3D-printing could be a viable solution for constructing large-scale robotics. This could have significant implications for industries such as electronics and computers, where custom fabrication often incurs high costs.
Moreover, Miranda’s project highlights the importance of coding and programming languages in modern robotics. The use of Arduino Mega boards and PWM to control the hand’s movement demonstrates how these skills are essential in developing complex robotic systems.
In conclusion, Ivan Miranda’s 3D-printed robotic hand represents a significant step forward in the field of large-scale robotics. While there are still challenges to overcome, his work has shown that with advances in 3D-printing technology and programming languages, the dream of building rideable mechs may not be as far-fetched as it once seemed.
