A fully illustrated reference book giving an easy-to-understand introduction to compliant mechanisms A broad compilation of compliant mechanisms to give inspiration and guidance to those interested in using compliant mechanisms in their designs, the Handbook of Compliant Mechanisms includes graphics and descriptions of many compliant mechanisms. It comprises an extensive categorization of devices that can be used to help readers identify compliant mechanisms related to their application. It also provides chapters on the basic background in compliant mechanisms, the categories of compliant mechanisms, and an example of how the Compendium can be used to facilitate compliant mechanism design. Fully illustrated throughout to be easily understood and accessible at introductory levels Covers all aspects pertaining to classification, elements, mechanisms and applications of compliant mechanisms Summarizes a vast body of knowledge in easily understood diagrams and explanations Helps readers appreciate the advantages that compliant mechanisms have to offer Practical approach is ideal for potential practitioners who would like to realize designs with compliant mechanisms, members and elements Breadth of topics covered also makes the book a useful reference for more advanced readers Intended as an introduction to the area, the Handbook avoids technical jargon to assist non engineers involved in product design, inventors and engineers in finding clever solutions to problems of design and function.

"Compliant Mechanisms" beschreibt eine besonders exakte, flexible und zuverlässige Entwurfsmethode im Maschinenbau, vorgestellt von einem international anerkannten Experten. Einem allgemeinen Überblick folgt die Erläuterung fortgeschrittener, moderner, zum Teil hochspezialisierter Anwendungen.

Flexure hinges hold several advantages over classical rotation joints, including no friction losses, no need for lubrication, no hysteresis, compactness, capacity to be utilized in small-scale applications, ease of fabrication, virtually no assembly, and no required maintenance. Compliant Mechanisms: Design of Flexure Hinges provides practical answ

This book covers various topics regarding the design of compliant mechanisms using topology optimization that have attracted a great deal of attention in recent decades. After comprehensively describing state-of-the-art methods for designing compliant mechanisms, it provides a new topology optimization method for finding new flexure hinges. It then presents several attempts to obtain distributed compliant mechanisms using the topology optimization method. Further, it discusses a Jacobian-based topology optimization method for compliant parallel mechanisms, and introduces readers to the topology optimization of compliant mechanisms, taking into account geometrical nonlinearity and reliability. Providing a systematic method for topology optimization of flexure hinges, which are essential for designing compliant mechanisms, the book offers a valuable resource for all readers who are interested in designing compliant mechanism-based positioning stages. In addition, the methods for solving the de facto hinges in topology optimized compliant mechanisms will benefit all engineers seeking to design micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structures.

When origami met the worlds of design and engineering, both fields embraced the ancient art form, using its principles and practices to discover new problems and to generate inventive solutions. This book demonstrates the potential of folding to improve the way things work, simplify how products are produced, and make possible new objects otherwise impossible. The solar collector, the felt stool, and the surgery tool have all been influenced in some way by folding paper. The example section is organized to show the folded figure next to the product prototype that was inspired by that work of origami. We have included models made from an array of materials over a range of sizes. This includes everything from a microscopic mechanism to huge solar panels designed to unfold in outer space. Most entries are at the prototype phase—meaning that physical hardware has been built to demonstrate the concept, but that the examples are not necessarily available commercially. Y Origami? also includes brief learning activities related to paper folding, such as a discussion of Euler's formula, angular measurements, and developable surfaces, along with more advanced topics. Throughout the book many diagrams and photographs illustrate the advancing concepts and methods of origami as an art form and a problem-solving strategy.

This book presents some basic flexure geometries and the analytic models, which can be assessed for specific design applications. The author then goes beyond this fundamental explanation to explore more sophisticated issues. Specifically, the text discusses integration of these flexure geometries and analytic models to produce useful mechanisms for precise motion control with fast dynamic response. This book will be useful for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those who hope to acquire competence in experimental and mechanical sciences. Practicing engineers and other scientists currently working in related fields will also benefit from Flexure.

CD-ROM contains: Seven author-written programs. -- Examples and figures. -- Problem solutions. -- TKSolver Files. -- Working Model Files.