A two-stage topological optimum design for monolithic compliant microgripper integrated with flexure hinges

The formation of hinge-like portions typically is encountered in the structural topological synthesis. This paper proposes an optimum synthesis integrated with the analytic single-axis flexure hinge as a second-stage design process to obtain optimum flexure configuration and location for promoting the overall performance of a compliant microgripper after the topology optimization. The locations of hinge-like in topology synthesis are verified to be the exact locations of flexures. A simplifying optimization applying ANSYS is consequently done in the second-stage optimum design. The proposed process can be extended to other types of compliant structural design.