Type Synthesis Principle and Practice of Flexure Systems in the Framework of Screw Theory: Part I—General Methodology

The systematic methodologies involved in type synthesis of flexure systems are no doubt helpful to generate one and more high-performance precision machine designs at the stage of conceptual design with a rapid and effective way. This paper provides a systematic formulation of the type synthesis of parallel, serial, and hybrid flexure systems via a mapping from a geometric concept to physical entity. The whole type synthesis principle is built upon screw system theory and the geometric Freedom and Constraint Topology (FACT) approach, also combining with other concepts and methods including equivalent compliance mapping, building block etc, which enables the type synthesis of flexure systems deterministic, simple and practical. After that, Type synthesis procedure for various flexure systems are elaborated with examples. As a result, as many specified-DOF (Degree of Freedom) flexure systems as possible can be found and therefore pave the way for obtaining an optimal configuration.