Type Synthesis of Three-Degree-of-Freedom Translational Compliant Parallel Mechanisms

In this paper, we apply screw theory to type synthesis of compliant parallel mechanisms (PMs) with translational degree-of-freedom (DOF). Compliant PMs are formed by a moving platform supported by three or more limbs each of which is a serial chain of flexure joints and rigid bodies. They achieve movement through the deformation of flexure joints and have been widely used in precision machinery. As an important task in the conceptual design stage, the goal of type synthesis is to determine the chain of each limb as well as their relationship when they are assembled in parallel for a prescribed motion pattern. In our approach, we study a category of commonly used flexure primitives and flexure elements whose freedom and constraint spaces are characterized by twists and wrenches in screw theory. Following the well-studied synthesis procedure for rigid body PMs, we propose a synthesis procedure for compliant PMs via screw theory. As an example, we demonstrate the procedure for synthesizing compliant PMs with three translational DOF. Tables of limbs, types, and geometric conditions for the assemblies of these limbs are presented. The paper provides a catalog of 3DOF translational compliant PM designs. At last, we developed finite element simulation to validate one of the synthesized designs. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4028758]