Analysis and design of a large-range bistable linear guide with high support stiffness and low parasitic motion

The exploration of compliant mechanisms, especially those providing linear motion, has become a central focus in recent engineering research. These mechanisms, characterized by their monolithic bodies and reduced component interactions, present an attractive alternative to traditional rigid mechanisms, having reduced friction, decreased energy...

Variable thickness and initially curved flexures for improved flexure mechanisms: Variable thickness and initially curved flexures for increased support stiffness and minimal stress

Flexure mechanisms are widely utilized in precision mechanisms, but their practical use is limited by three major factors, namely restricted range of motion, parasitic motion, and significant reduction in support stiffness when deflected. To address this limitation, in this research the potential of variable thickness flexures in minimizing the...

Experimental analysis of ballast bed state in newly constructed railways after tamping and stabilizing operation

Before the operation of newly constructed railways, tamping and stabilizing machines should be used to improve the quality of ballast beds. With the expansion of the railway network and increase of speeds and axle loads, higher quality and efficiency for tamping and stabilizing operation are required. However, previous studies did not involve...

Modelling ballast via a non-linear lattice to assess its compaction behaviour at railway transition zones

Locations in railway tracks where significant variations of the track properties occur are subject to increased track deterioration. To successfully mitigate this, the mechanisms leading to the increased deterioration need to be understood. To this end, this work presents a non-linear constitutive law for a lattice model able to describe the...

A lattice model for transition zones in ballasted railway tracks

The procedure presented in this work aims at providing a framework for studying settlement of ballast in zones with stiffness variation of the railway track support. The proposed procedure results from expanding an existing infinite periodic model of a railway track to account for variations in the stiffness of the foundation. Ballast is...

Modelling the axis drift of short wire flexures and increasing their support stiffness using polymers

For steel flexures, complex geometries are required to reach high support stiffness and limit axis drift over large ranges of motion. These complex flexures are expensive and difficult to manufacture. This paper presents a method of designing short, polymer wire flexures with high support stiffness and modelling their axis drift using a novel...

Novel Designs to Improve Support Stiffness during Large Strokes in Compliant Mechanism

The precision, speed, and stroke of mechatronic machines need continuous improvement. Compliant mechanisms are widely used in the precision machines, but they do not have larger strokes due to their limited deformation. In the present time, various applications also require high speed and more problems appear due to the dynamics of the compliant...