This paper presents a direct displacement synthesis method for the design of shape morphing skin structures using compliant mechanisms. The objective of this method is to design a skin structure that will deform to a desired final shape when acted on by a specific load. The method utilizes a ground structure geometry which can facilitate variable bending stiffness along the length of the skin using compliant spring members. Synthesis procedures involve the use of direct displacement to determine how the bending stiffness of the skin must vary to produce the desired shape change. The direct displacement synthesis method differs from other compliant mechanism synthesis methods found in literature, such as pseudo-rigid-body and continuum structure optimization, in the approach taken to solve for the unknown variables in the system. By using direct displacement to determine how the structure must respond to a specific load to achieve the desired shape change, the unknown variables within the system can be extracted directly without the use of optimization techniques.

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