Flexures & Compliant Mechanisms

A Flexure is a flexible element within a design, intentionally crafted to bend or deform when subjected to a force. Unlike rigid components, which resist deformation, flexures are designed to accommodate movement, allowing certain degrees of freedom while maintaining structural integrity. Flexures are often used in precision engineering applications where traditional hinges, bearings, or joints might introduce unwanted friction, backlash, or wear.

• To be Compliant means to have the ability to yield or deform in response to an applied force without failing or losing functionality. In mechanical design, compliance refers to the intentional design of structures or mechanisms that can flex or bend in a controlled manner. This compliance allows the mechanism to absorb energy, accommodate misalignments, or achieve motion in a simplified and integrated manner.

Therefore, Compliant Mechanisms are arrangements of flexible elements that achieve desired motions or force transmissions through the elastic deformation of their components. Unlike traditional mechanisms that rely on discrete moving parts such as hinges and sliders, compliant mechanisms integrate motion and flexibility directly into the structure, resulting in fewer parts, lower friction, and often greater reliability. These mechanisms are used in a variety of applications, from microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to large-scale deployable structures, where precision, simplicity, and efficiency are paramount.