Parametric Cable Tensioner

thingiverse

This is a parametric version of the 5-slot cable tensioner by IvanOwen thing:232291. I thought his design was excellent. I needed a version, however, with just 4 tuning rods rather 5. I also didn't have an M2 tap or the correct length of M2 screws. Since the prosthetic hand I am making is for an adult, using the larger M3 screws was not a problem. I made one of these tuners and found it was very strong. Updated on 4/17/2014 - I have added springs to the back of the screws in the block to allow some better ability to grasp objects and continued motion after full closure. To accommodate that, I slightly changed some of the dimensions and added a shell to cover the springs. Instructions Either use the OpenSCAD file and modify the parameters, or use Customizer to create the needed stl file. You can create either the tuner rods, the tuner block, or both. The block portion does not include any mount - it is just the tuning block. Either create the stl and then create a mashup of it with your chosen mount, or include the OpenSCAD file into the file for the mount. The block currently prints on end because it is stronger that way. That might work for some mounts, but not for others. It should print fine if you rotate it to print flat instead of on end.