Abstract: The principles of the freedom and constraint topologies (FACT) synthesis approach are adapted and applied to the design of parallel flexure systems that mimic degrees of freedom (DOFs) primarily achievable by serial flexure ...

Abstract: In this paper, we extend the principles of the freedom and constraint topologies (FACT) synthesis approach such that designers can analyze and synthesize serial flexure elements—not to be confused with serial flexure ...

Abstract: This paper introduces a general method for analyzing flexure systems of any configuration, including those that cannot be broken into parallel and serial subsystems. Such flexure systems are called interconnected hybrid ...

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new kind of microarchitectured material that utilizes active control to alter its bulk shape through the deformation of its compliant elements. This new kind of microarchitectured ...

Abstract: We present an improved flexure linkage design for removing underconstraint in a double parallelogram (DP) linear flexural mechanism. This new linkage alleviates many of the problems associated with current linkage design ...

Abstract: This research is about designing multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DOF) compliant mechanisms with decoupled inputs that can be independently locked/unlocked using bistable switches to achieve different combinations of DOFs. ...

Abstract: In this paper, we introduce a new type of spatial parallel robot that is comprised of soft inflatable constraints called trichamber actuators (TCAs). We extend the principles of the freedom and constraint topologies (FACT) ...

Abstract: In this paper, we demonstrate how the principles of the freedom, actuation, and constraint topologies (FACT) approach may be applied to the synthesis, analysis, and optimization of microstructural architectures that possess ...

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to compare learning algorithms to identify which is the fastest and most accurate for training mechanical neural networks (MNNs). MNNs are a unique class of lattice-based artificial intelligence ...

Abstract: Flexure bearings provide precise, low-maintenance operation but have a limited range of motion compared to conventional bearings. Here, we introduce a new class of bearing—the metamorphic flexure bearing—that not only ...