Heat Set Insert Tutorial + Assembly

Heat set inserts are used to add metal threads to 3D-printed parts. Many parts of the hand use these. They are inserted into the plastic parts using a soldering iron. The iron heats the metal, allowing you to push the insert in and melt the plastic around it.

Tutorials for Heat Set Inserts

In addition to the video instructions, using a razor blade to push the heat set insert in for the last millimeter or so is helpful. This ensures it is flush with the surface.

Markforged Blog Post on Using Heat Set Inserts

Materials

Tools

• Soldering Iron

• Soldering Tips

• Razor Blade

3D Printed Parts

Every 3D printed part other than the Backhand and Base Plate is used in this section.

Hardware (Total)

Part Name	Total Quantity
M2 x 4 x 3.5 mm insert	30
M2 x 6 x 3.5 mm insert	8
M2 x 8 x 3.5 mm insert	4
M3 x 6 x 5 mm insert	8
M3 x 4 x 5 mm insert	1
M5 x 6 x 7 mm insert	4

Instructions

1. Fingers: Middle, Index, Ring

Part Name	Quantity
M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	15
Finger Joint 1 - Printed Part	3
Finger Joint 2 - Printed Part	3
Finger Joint 3 - Printed Part	3

Repeat instructions 3 times (to make 3 fingers)

Finger Joint 1	Finger Joint 2	Finger Joint 3
x 2 - M2 x 4 x 3.5	x 2 - M2 x 4 x 3.5	x 1 - M2 x 4 x 3.5

2. Pinky

Repeat the same process as above but on the pinky parts.

Part Name	Quantity
M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	6
Pinky Joint 1 - Printed Part	1
Pinky Joint 2 - Printed Part	1
Pinky Joint 3 - Printed Part	1

Pinky Joint 1	Pinky Joint 2	Pinky Joint 3
x 2 - M2 x 4 x 3.5	x 2 - M2 x 4 x 3.5	x 1 - M2 x 4 x 3.5

3. Thumb

Part Name	Quantity
M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	4
M3 x 4 x 5 Heat Set Insert	1
Thumb Joint 1 - Printed Part	1
Thumb Joint 2 - Printed Part	1
Thumb Joint 3 - Printed Part	1

Thumb Joint 1	Thumb Joint 2	Thumb Joint 3
x 1 - M2 x 4 x 3.5 x1 - M3 x 4 x 5	x 2 - M2 x 4 x 3.5	x 1 - M2 x 4 x 3.5

4. Knuckle

Part Name	Quantity
M2 x 4 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	5
Tophand - Index + Middle - Printed Part	1
Tophand - Pinky + Ring - Printed Part	1

Tophand - Index + Middle	Tophand - Pinky + Ring
x 2 - M2 x 4 x 3.5	x 3 - M2 x 4 x 3.5

5. Palm + Wrist

Part Name	Quantity
M2 x 6 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	8
M2 x 3 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts
M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts	2
Palm + Wrist - Printed Part	1

Palm	Palm	Wrist
x 8 - M2 x 6 x 3.5	x 4 - M2 x 3 x 3.5	x 2 - M5 x 6 x 7

6. Backhand

Part Name	Quantity
M2 x 6 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	2
Backhand - Printed Part	1

Back Hand

x 2 - M2 x 6 x 3.5

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7. Top Plate

Part Name	Quantity
M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts	2
Top Plate - Printed Part	1

Top Plate

x 2 - M5 x 6 x 7

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8. Thumb Motor Panel (For XM430 Motors)

Part Name	Quantity
M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts	2
M3 x 6 x 5 Heat Set Inserts	4
Thumb Motor Plate - Printed Part	1

Thumb Motor Panel	Thumb Motor Panel	Thumb Motor Panel
x 2 - M5 x 6 x 7	x 2 - M3 x 6 x 5	x 2 - M3 x 6 x 5

9. Motor Panel 1 and Motor Panel 2

Part Name	Quantity
M5 x 6 x 7 Heat Set Inserts	4
M2 x 8 x 3.5 Heat Set Inserts	4
M3 x 6 x 5 Heat Set Inserts	4
M3 x 6 x 5 Heat Set Inserts	2
Motor Panel 1 - Printed Part	1
Motor Panel 2 - Printed Part	1

Repeat the same process (but mirrored) for Panel 2

Motor Panel 1	Motor Panel 1	Motor Panel 1
x 2 - M5 x 6 x 7	x 2 - M3 x 6 x 5 x 1 - M3 x 8 x 5	x1 - M2 x 8 x 3.5