Precision of typical flexible hinges

Abstract

Flexible hinge is widely used as one of the essential components in micro motion robots. There are some direct influence of their deformation precision on the positioning and operation precision of micro motion robots' pose. Due to the diversities and complexities of practical demands, their geometrical dimensions are not able to satisfy hypotheses of traditional theory analyses. Therefore, it is difficult to make an accurate analysis for their precision when they undergo external loads. Based on the finite element method, the kinematics of three typical flexible hinges are studied. Compared with results of traditional theory analyses, the error reasons and the influence of geometrical parameters on their precision are given.