T-Flex: Compliant Flexure-based Large Range Precision Hexapod

The T-Flex is a motion stage hexapod for precision manipulation. It achieves a large range of motion and a high repeatability by using custom designed flexure joints. The T-Flex has been developed at the Precision Engineering lab (prof.dr.ir. Dannis Brouwer).
Details can be found in the following publications in Elsevier's Precision Engineering journal:
- Naves et al. 2021. "T-Flex: A fully flexure-based large range of motion precision hexapod".
doi.org/10.1016/j.precisionen...
- Naves et al. 2020. "Flexure-based 60 degrees stroke actuator suspension for a high torque iron core motor".
doi.org/10.1016/j.precisionen...
- Naves et al. 2019. "Large stroke high off-axis stiffness three degree of freedom spherical flexure joint".
doi.org/10.1016/j.precisionen...
Additional details can be found in the PhD thesis of Mark Naves, principal designer of the T-Flex:
research.utwente.nl/en/public...
Research team:
Mark Naves, Marijn Nijenhuis, Bram Seinhorst, Wouter Hakvoort, Dannis Brouwer
Film by:
Joost Könemann, Stijn Scheepers, Marijn Nijenhuis, Dannis Brouwer
Chapters in this film:
00:00 T-Flex overview
01:15 Large range of motion
02:11 Kinematics
02:45 Spherical joints, exploded view
03:18 Actuated revolute joints, exploded view
03:51 Conclusion
Funding:
VIDI (14152), Dutch Research Council NWO TTW
MexFlex (16210), Dutch Research Council NWO TTW
Sectorplan Techniek

[@MrFranklitalien]

a truly amazing application of compliant mechanisms! congratulations

[@JustinDaze]

Very cool, big props to whoever designed this.

[@KentoCommenT]

The magic of flexures!

[@stefanguiton]

Excellent work!

[@anoirbentanfous]

Utterly impressive

[@a-aron2276]

It's repeatability is mind-blowing. What was it's repeatability under max load?

[@JitendraKhatait]

Congratulations team UTwente... Prachtig...

[@natewilburn301]

I thought it was 100 microns at first but I just realized it was 100 nanometers😂 Absolutely insane!

[@sceneryj]

Hexapodia is clearly the key insight.

[@free_spirit1]

Supremely based

[@stimpyfeelinit]

hell yea dude, could stick a radar on there

[@besenyeim]

Impressive. I wonder, what is the repeatability in variable load conditions. Like in the mentioned assembly or milling applications.

[@vsijben]

@eblman5218 The Parallel Axis Tripteron Concept" by Rudmin may have the same motion range, but it is full of linear ball bearings and rotating ball bearings. All these bearings have friction, play, backlash and cause rumble due to the imperfect bearing surfaces, Also, The upper arms of the Tripteron carry bending loads, while the upper arms in this video only carry pure tension/compression loads. In other words, the precision and repeatability of the Tripteron are no match for those of this flexure-based mechanism. Additionally: the Tripteron has only TxTyTz translational freedom, while the flex concept has all six DOF's: TxTyTz and RxRyRz.

[@TheOpticalFreak]

What is the maximum dynamic load in kilogram!?

[@addisonwoods9367]

What is the purpose of the outside plate of the revolute joint?

[@Sx107music]

Counterweight probably

[@kanpurunplugged9970]

Woah tsmc

[@ryanmckenna2047]

Is this mostly mechanical engineering?

[@Troynjk]

Where are the 6DOF ? I saw only 3. The final manipulated object can move only up/down, left/right, front/back. It can’t revolve around x,y and z axis, or can it ?

[@roosterdoodster9220]

In the beginning you can see it rotating

[@roosterdoodster9220]

In the beginning you can see it rotating

[@roosterdoodster9220]

In the beginning you can see it rotating

[@roosterdoodster9220]

In the beginning you can see it rotating

[@roosterdoodster9220]

In the beginning you can see it rotating

[@tonystarks315]

It's hard to believe if Flexure joints will be able to apply very high forces needed in aerospace, manufacturing, motion simulators and other applications you are showing.

[@arthurkubrick949]

Shut up and take my money ! 😍

[@benarmstead9141]

Flexapod

[@TheOpticalFreak]

No way 200mm dynamic range and Sub micron repeatability!?😱😳🤯

[@WesHawkins0]

Right? This is honestly insane