A flexure-based linear guide with torsion reinforcement structures
Abstract In this work, a flexure-based (compliant) linear guide with a motion range comparable to its footprint is presented. The design consists of two folded leaf springs on which torsion reinforcement structures are added. Due to these structures, only two folded leaf springs are needed instead of a minimum of five as in pre-existing designs. The new design is compared to such a pre-existing design, after optimizing both on a support stiffness metric. The new design scores over twice as high on the support stiffness metric, while occupying a smaller (−33%) and a less obstructive build volume. Stress, build volume and manufacturing limitations are taken into account. Additionally, a variation on the new design using three torsion reinforced folded leaf springs is presented and optimized. This design occupies a build volume similar to the pre-existing design, but scores four times higher on the support stiffness metric. A prototype of the new design is built and its parasitic eigenfrequencies are measured, validating the theoretical models (Normalized Mean Absolute Error of 4.3%).