Conventional fastening mechanisms like nails, bolts, and welds are subject to manufacturing and inspection tolerances, differential thermal growth, and other sources of error that lead to over-constraint, among other challenges, for manufacturers and assemblers. Sandia researchers have developed a versatile flexure design that resolves common issues such as over-constraint while providing more sophisticated control of freedom of movement, stiffness, configuration, and constraint and compliance features. This level of control and versatility is valuable in advanced or self-assembling manufacturing settings, particularly for large or complex systems.

A 3D rendering of one of the various available flexure design configurations with with visco-elastic coating for vibration suppression.

The flexure design offers compliance in all six degrees of freedom with a hard stop in one degree of freedom after a predetermined range of motion. It has the ability to accommodate a high degree of tunability, which can be determined by application. Rigidity and range of motion can be set through tuning of material type, material thickness, and overall weight.

The flexure is available in straight arm and curvilinear options and can be configured for use independently, semi-independently, coupled together, or as a set. Its stiffness can be adjusted by changing key geometric dimensions. The flexure may be potted in a visco-elastic material to suppress vibration.

Applications include aerospace, automotive, autonomous assembly systems, panel/ beam assembly, and medical devices.

For more information, contact Sandia National Laboratories, Intellectual Property Office, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or visit here .