Experimental determination of planar compliance values of flexures. Exp. determ. of planar compliance vals.

The experimental validation of analytical models for the planar compliance of flexure hinges is extremely valuable in the design and optimization of compliant mechanisms. These mechanisms are used in many precision actuation systems. Such systems are used extensively in micro- and nano-scale applications such as MEMS, robotics, manufacturing, microscopy, and aerospace. A general procedure for the experimental determination of planar compliance values of flexures is presented. The method described uses three displacement sensors and three unique loading configurations to generate the data necessary to determine the compliance matrix. An appropriate experimental apparatus is proposed. The results of pre-experimental simulations and a sensitivity analysis of systematic uncertainty are reported in an illustrative case study.