Abstract
In this work, a grip force dynamometer composed of pressure-sensitive conductive rubber was used to study the sensibility characteristics for grasping of a solid cylinder. The mechanical and physical parameters for ten normal male subjects (aged between 22 and 26) were measured at various cylinder diameters and weights. In addition, a direct linear transformation technique employing a video camera system was developed to determine the finger joint motion used to grasp the cylinder. The experimental results showed that the frictional coefficien of a palm is significantly dependent upon the deform ability of the soft tissue of the palm. It was found that the optimum cylinder diameter for easy grasping is nearly equal to the inner grip diameter formed by the fingers.
