Model-based design of flexure hinges for rectilinear guiding with compliant mechanisms in precision systems

Flexure hinges are often used in precision systems because in addition to other advantages they allow the simple adjustment of a required deformation and motion behavior of monolithic compliant mechanisms by geometrical design. In this contribution, the potential of improving the motion precision as well as the motion range by specific design of the flexure hinge dimensions and in particular of their notch contour is described using the example of two four-bar compliant rectilinear guiding mechanisms. To verify the detailed investigation of the notch contour as a recent approach of the compliant mechanism synthesis, the model-based FEM results are compared to the guiding error of the rigid body counterparts.