I was doing some thinking about flexure joints when I happened across a wall hanging device for large flat screen TVs. It is designed to swing out from the wall, and tilt, while remaining stiff in the "Z" axis. They sell millions of them. At first glance it looked like a perfect application for a flexure system. But polymer materials have low yield strengths. The ceaseless pull of gravity on the swing arm would rapidly deform flexible plastics. Although the joint itself would be theoretically "stiff" in Z, the entire apparatus would quickly sag down the wall unless the flexures were made from something like spring steel, which would defeat the cost savings from using monolithic polymer construction.
Polymers are commonly used in the initial phase of designing and printing flexures. The actual joints manufactured in the end are using steel or aluminium 7075. 3D printing metal is also an option but does comprimise some of the material benefits. But just for the record all the polymer use is because of rapid prototyping. There is alot of potential geometries to explore.
Very cool. Results from design optimization are always fascinating, initially helping to point out an incomplete understanding of the design space, before suggesting unique designs.
Thank you for the video. I was recently looking into flextures for some small 3D printed parts for hobby purposes. It seems, that almost all information about 1) explained examples and 2) pro/con of solving a particular scenario are hidden behind paywalls charging hundreds of € for research papers. And you don't even know, what's in those papers and if you can apply some of the information to your own scenarios. If you have some pointers, where accessible information about simple flextures or compliant mechanisms can be found, it would be very helpful. Thanks anyhow for sharing your info!
Those are dissolvable support structures made of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol - water-soluble filament). Such technology is possible with dual-extrusion FDM printers.
I'm currently working on a project involving compliant mechanisms myself, would anyone be able to say what program is used at 3:00 for the shape optimisation stage?
The simulation software package is called SPACAR: www.spacar.nl/ It is an academic software package developed at the University of Twente. The optimization routine is custom MATLAB code. Here is an article with more information: research.utwente.nl/files/30085211/Naves_Mikroniek_2017_3.pdf
Search for 'Compliant mechanism design for robotic gripper/finger applications'. The best approah would be to read research papers. But to get a high-level info. you can tap into some youtube videos using similar keywords
As an engineer, this is very inspiring. I hope I can imitate some of these ideas in my otherwise usual designs. Can't wait what the future holds!
Optimized computations, good example!
optimally we will optimize this optimization.
I can't wait to see what the future holds when you guys decide to finally share the software
I was doing some thinking about flexure joints when I happened across a wall hanging device for large flat screen TVs. It is designed to swing out from the wall, and tilt, while remaining stiff in the "Z" axis. They sell millions of them. At first glance it looked like a perfect application for a flexure system. But polymer materials have low yield strengths. The ceaseless pull of gravity on the swing arm would rapidly deform flexible plastics. Although the joint itself would be theoretically "stiff" in Z, the entire apparatus would quickly sag down the wall unless the flexures were made from something like spring steel, which would defeat the cost savings from using monolithic polymer construction.
Polymers usually also experience creep. So that would also disqualify it as good materials for flexures.
How do polymers handle static loads over a long duration, for example years?
Polymers are commonly used in the initial phase of designing and printing flexures. The actual joints manufactured in the end are using steel or aluminium 7075. 3D printing metal is also an option but does comprimise some of the material benefits. But just for the record all the polymer use is because of rapid prototyping. There is alot of potential geometries to explore.
Impressive!
I was waiting him to drop the retro-encabulator in his presentation.
Halfway through the video the language gets very plate processing and residue plate funneling
Very cool. Results from design optimization are always fascinating, initially helping to point out an incomplete understanding of the design space, before suggesting unique designs.
Great video, extremely well made!
An incredible video. Thank you for making and sharing!
Thank you for the video. I was recently looking into flextures for some small 3D printed parts for hobby purposes. It seems, that almost all information about 1) explained examples and 2) pro/con of solving a particular scenario are hidden behind paywalls charging hundreds of € for research papers. And you don't even know, what's in those papers and if you can apply some of the information to your own scenarios. If you have some pointers, where accessible information about simple flextures or compliant mechanisms can be found, it would be very helpful. Thanks anyhow for sharing your info!
4:45 - how they make this Support Trees? I would like to learn more about that
Those are dissolvable support structures made of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol - water-soluble filament). Such technology is possible with dual-extrusion FDM printers.
Amazing!
Bravo, very cool research indeed! :)
holy shit how do you only have 141 subs!!!
Is Spacar avaible for download?
I would love to test it. It's amazing.
May I ask, what software you use for animation and video production?
flextures are cool
I'm currently working on a project involving compliant mechanisms myself, would anyone be able to say what program is used at 3:00 for the shape optimisation stage?
Im on a similar boat and also interested. Did you ever find anything on this?
Hi it's a university developed program called Spacar
did you find something?
The simulation software package is called SPACAR:
www.spacar.nl/
It is an academic software package developed at the University of Twente.
The optimization routine is custom MATLAB code.
Here is an article with more information:
research.utwente.nl/files/30085211/Naves_Mikroniek_2017_3.pdf
where can I find more info about 5:05?
Search for 'Compliant mechanism design for robotic gripper/finger applications'. The best approah would be to read research papers. But to get a high-level info. you can tap into some youtube videos using similar keywords
Take a shot every time you hear "optimum" or "topology"
Futuristic, now.
very epic
*Affordable* then proceeds to use PVA filament
Jokes aside this stuff is absolutley crazy cool and has so many applications.
OH ITS A FINGER
Why don't flexure mechanisms get deformed quickly?
they are designed to not push materials into plastic deformation and use materials with high elongation
Does someone know the exact topology for the flexure joint at 4:49 ?
@MichaelKingsfordGray what do you mean ?
😍😍😍🙃💫🙏🏻🔥💖🌞🌈💞🌟💐😘thank you.welldone, excellent.
bot
Schtupid bot
I've never heard so many buzzwords in my life, Liz Lemon would be proud.
I had to check to see if it was a joke or parody lol, seemed like Turbo Encabulator
Nk mkn sedap jgb berangan