FlexLinks: Cross-Axis Flexural Pivot
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FlexLinks are LEGO compatible building blocks that allow for compliant builds. This is a pivot attachment.
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Model information
- Source
- Printables
- Category
- Building Toys
- License
- Creative Commons — Attribution — Noncommercial
Summary
FlexLinks were developed for quick turn-around proof-of-concept prototyping of compliant mechanisms by the BYU Compliant Mechanism Research Group. Combined with commercially available toys, custom compliant components can be used to build a wide range of compliant mechanisms.
How to make it
The FlexLinks can be 3D printed, milled, cut with a water jet, or cut with a CNC router.
Depending on the material used, there are limitations to flexibility and fatigue life. You'll get the best results cutting them out of a 1/4" sheet of polypropylene.
The cross-axis flexural pivots require TWO PARTS that are placed reversely on top of each other. If cutting them out of polypropylene, use a 1/8" sheet. When pieces are layered it will be 1/4" total.
Learn More
There are many other types of FlexLinks that we've designed. There are different designs with different functions and lengths that you can experiment with.
Technical Information
For in-depth technical information about the cross-axis flexural pivot, see the following publications:
Dearden, J., Grames, C., Orr, J., Jensen, B. D., Magleby, S. P., & Howell, L. L. (2018). Cylindrical cross-axis flexural pivots. Precision Engineering, 51, 604-613. doi:10.1016/j.precisioneng.2017.11.001rn
Jensen, B. D., & Howell, L. L. (2002). The modeling of cross-axis flexural pivots. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 37(5), 461-476. doi:10.1016/S0094-114X(02)00007-1rn
Bilancia, P., Berselli, G., Magleby, S., & Howell, L. (2020). On the modeling of a contact-aided cross-axis flexural pivot. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 143 doi:10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2019.103618rn
To learn more about compliant mechanisms in general, see the BYU Compliant Mechanisms Research (CMR) website or these books: Compliant Mechanisms, Handbook of Compliant Mechanisms. Also, follow us on Instagram @byucmr or Facebook @Compliant Mechanisms Research Group.
Intellectual Property
The downloadable 3D print files provided here may be used, modified, and enjoyed for noncommercial use. To license this technology for commercial applications, contact:
BYU Technology Transfer Office
3760 Harold B. Lee Library
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
Phone: (801) 422-6266
https://techtransfer.byu.edu/contact