This was a really special project for us to do, due to its medical theme. A design where the word of movie props merges with functionality and practical usage. The whole development process took almost 2 years to complete and it all started in 2021 with Henrietta’s dream; she wanted a prosthetic that she could use daily and in the meanwhile, it looks just as like a T800 arm. The basics of its working method was settled down as the very first step. We wanted a mechanism that doesn’t use any outer source of energy, but only the movement of her wrist. This was exceptionally important to make her arm muscles work and avoid the slowly but constantly emerging back problems. There was an already existed, popular prosthetic design which worked the same way we expected, but unfortunately the T800 arm was not so easy to implement. No wonders, it was originally meant to be a movie prop, not an extension of a real arm. The challenge was given, the concept was laid down and the work has started.

We printed a prosthetic with suitable dimensions for Henrietta, that looked simple, but was more than enough to test how she likes its movement ranges, useability and overall feel. In the meanwhile the transfer of T800’s look was started with its finger segments. As a pull back force (which meant to set the hand back into its original open form after a closing movement) a small, custom made and fine tuned torsion spring were used. We have built one inside every articulating finger joint to create a seamless, effective and long standing working mechanism. The palm was the most critical part and it definitely needed the most design changes to maintain a perfect fit. Although some compromises were made, the authentic terminator style was successfully delivered and with the added silicone rubber paddings, the grip of the hand was significantly improved.

There were so many consultations between Henrietta and us, and even more prototype parts were made, but after seeing her face and her dream fulfilled, we can proudly say; it worth every single minute invested in this project! A long road may behind us, but we are still far from its end. This 3D printed variant will now serves only as a long term test piece. After a significant amount of usage, all design element will be polished and a completely metal variant will be made…

Dante / Logan