The design of a compliant shape-preserving ring

Journal Article (2020)
Author(s)

K. W.A. Schreurs (Student TU Delft)

G. Radaelli (TU Delft - Mechatronic Systems Design)

Farbod Alijani (TU Delft - Dynamics of Micro and Nano Systems)

Research Group
Mechatronic Systems Design
Copyright
© 2020 K. W.A. Schreurs, G. Radaelli, F. Alijani
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2020.103918
More Info
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Publication Year
2020
Language
English
Copyright
© 2020 K. W.A. Schreurs, G. Radaelli, F. Alijani
Research Group
Mechatronic Systems Design
Volume number
151
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Abstract

Compliant shape-preserving mechanisms fill a small niche within the established research field of compliant mechanisms. To date no report exists on a compliant shape-preserving ring, even though these mechanisms can give rise to a multitude of practical applications. They can essentially act as novel sealing mechanisms, compliant grippers or find use in medical applications. This paper presents three compliant shape-preserving rings that maintain their circular shape up to 99% for their full range-of-motion. The best design can expand in diameter by ≈ 45%. A prototype of a compliant shape-preserving ring was constructed from PETG (Polyethylene Terephtalate Glycol-modified) using fused-filament-fabrication. The experimental evaluation of this prototype showed a good agreement with the numerical model describing the design. A novel compliant scissor mechanism was obtained in the design process and this mechanism can prove useful in the design of other compliant shape-preserving mechanisms.