由GoEngineer的SolidWorks模拟产品专家Arunachalam Thiraviam撰写。
尽管兼容的扭转弹簧不类似于许多机械设备中使用的常规螺旋弹簧，但它具有相似的功能：对外力提供阻力。
与螺旋弹簧相反，螺旋弹簧通过其几何形状抵抗压缩或张力，符合扭转弹簧抵抗扭转。电阻的量是弹簧臂厚度的函数。
Tuning the characteristics of this spring with conventional prototyping tools is a challenging and interesting problem.
Compliant mechanisms
这些弹簧属于一个称为合规机制的群体，该机制通过其几何形状提供了机械电阻，并且具有简单的目的：将力或位移从一个链接转移到下一个链接，通过形状变形。
A compliant mechanism is best understood when compared and contrasted to its counterpart, a rigid mechanism. An example of a rigid mechanism is a gripper or a scissor lift.
Image courtesy of the Compliant Mechanisms Research Group at Brigham Young University
刚性机制依赖于通过关节（铰链或销钉）连接的一组零件，这些零件能够在这些链接之间相对运动。合规的机制依赖于设计的灵活性来执行这些动作。蓝色机制的兼容抓手依赖于薄塑料铰链来执行类似于下面所示的刚性对应物的夹具动作。刚性手术抓手需要两个单独的臂和一个销钉才能进行相同的动作。
Benefits
在较小的尺寸时，合规机制可以转移力。由于它们的零件和可移动接头大大减少，因此在微电动系统（MEMS）中，它们作为传感器和执行器有很多用途。
兼容的机制是e的其他优点ase of manufacturing and maintenance. As many of these mechanisms have a few parts (some just have one, such as the spring), the manufacturing cost and time are lower in comparison to their rigid counterparts. Without moving parts, the need for lubrication and joint replacements is eliminated. This can significantly lower operational costs.
3D printing
Additive manufacturing technology has enabled engineers to manufacture complex geometry with metals and plastics.
打印下面所示的机制是由于狭窄的手臂和运动部件之间的间隙，可以替代注射成型的替代方法。
3D printing enabled the user to scale the part based on its application without the need to redesign any tooling for its manufacture.
访问FDM和PolyJet等3D打印技术可以使用各种真实和数字塑料材料进行打印。3D打印软件使用户能够控制层密度和打印路径，以优化最终打印的重量和强度。
The model shown above was printed with an ASA material at a 0.005 in. resolution on a Stratasys Fortus 400 FDM printer with slightly modified layer properties to achieve maximum density on the slender iris arms.
Simulation
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) technology enables easy verification of the structural strength of the slender arms and the stiffness of the overall spring before manufacturing.
上图表示通过FEA确定的致动过程中弹簧的应力分布。
上图表示弹簧驱动所需的力。使用这些数据，设置了弹簧臂的厚度，以达到一定的刚度，而不会损害弹簧的结构强度。
FEA分析表明，控制强度的关键区域位于臂的外纤维以及手臂和外环之间的连接。请注意，还指示弹簧非线性刚度的力置换曲线的特征。
FEA工具（例如SolidWorks模拟）提供了宝贵的反馈，使工程师可以自信地对现有产品进行更改或设计新产品。
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提交以下：3D printing • additive manufacturing • stereolithography
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