Alleviating stress concentrations by constant curvature flexure mechanisms

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Abstract

In high precision applications flexures are used to accurately guide motion. Here it is essential to obtain sufficient off-axis support stiffness as to mitigate parasitic dynamics. When deflecting, stress concentrations limit the flexure thickness and hence the support stiffness and loadability of the structure. In this paper we present an approach to make the curvature and stress constant over the flexure such that its thickness and consequently its support-stiffness may be increased. We show this approach with a DiamondFlex element. This DiamondFlex structure supports the endpoint forces such that the guiding flexure only experiences a bending moment, which results in a constant curvature and stress over the length of the flexure. Application of this approach to a parallel flexure guidance enables a thickness increase of 45 %, increasing the support stiffness by a factor 2.5.
Original languageEnglish
Pages47-50
Number of pages4
Publication statusPublished - 30 May 2022
Event22nd International Conference & Exhibition, EUSPEN 2022 - CERN, Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 30 May 20223 Jun 2022
Conference number: 22
https://www.euspen.eu/our-events/geneva-2022-programme/

Conference

Conference22nd International Conference & Exhibition, EUSPEN 2022
Abbreviated titleEUSPEN
Country/TerritorySwitzerland
CityGeneva
Period30/05/223/06/22
Internet address

Keywords

  • Flexure mechanisms
  • Constant curvature
  • Optimization,
  • Precision engineering

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