This is a tutorial to show you how you can create silicone finger tips for to cover the sensors and to add a terrific grip to your InMoov hand. These covers can also be used if you don’t have sensors.

DSC06677You will need :

  • Printed parts.
  • Scissors.
  • Silicon in a cartridge for bathroom or windows.
  • OR two component silicon like Trecosil RTV 6007. (it’s the one I used)
  • A clamp.
  • Brush.
  • Wax OR vaseline OR dish soap.

 

 

DSC06678  DSC06680

Brush, wax or vaseline or dish soap on the parts of the mold. The best is wax. This will help to avoid adherance of the silicone to the ABS or PLA.

Let the dish soap dry well before going to next step.

DSC06679Use a clamp to assemble the mold together. There is two holes of 3mm to add pins if you want to align the mold correctly. (Not shown on pictures)

DSC06683You can use bathroom or windows silicone cartridge. Take something that dries fast. The cartridge silicone cures with air and humidity, so it will take a while to cure correctly in the mold. The ideal is a two component silicone because it cures with a hardener and can be accelerated up to a few minutes. It is what I used, but for the tuto I’m showing a cartridge.

DSC06682Fill up to half each finger with the silicone.

DSC06684Add and press firmly the third part of the mold, ensure that you put it in the correct way. (Thumb in thumb…)

When you press the exceeding silicone should come out a little bit from everywhere, so don’t do this on your bed or on grandma’s napkin.

Let the silicone cure. Some silicone might take a week to dry out.

DSC06685Depending of your silicone curation time, open the mold carefully with a small screwdriver.

Carefull, the silicone is thin and can tear off easily, so be patient and handy.

DSC06686You should have something like this.

DSC06687With scissors cut the silicone between each finger. This will help to roll it out from each finger.

DSC06688Carefull, the silicone is thin and can tear off easily, so be patient and handy.

DSC06690Now take your best scissors to cut out the silicone excess as close as possible to the edge, without making a hole. 🙂

DSC06691Measure the length you want to cover with the silicone and cut it cleanly before applying it on the finger.

Remember there is a nail side.

That’s it your InMoov is ready to grab and pick up stuff.

DSC06677

Comments 6

  1. Hi, i’m new on this project and 3D printing.
    In first, i want to say your work are beautiful and amazing.
    In a second time, i just want to know on this parts, have you tested to make fingers with conductive filament ?

    • I have tested conductive filaments but not yet with the fingers because the Hall sensors require 3 wires to properly work, therefore 3D printing three conductive lines correctly connecting at each joints seems a bit advanced for most users.

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