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Compliant Mechanisms
Origami
FlexLinks
Developable Mechanisms
OneCuts
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Constant-Force Mechanism

Compliant Mechanisms

A constant force mechanism provides a constant resistance through a specific range of motion.

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2 DOF Space Pointer

Compliant Mechanisms

This mechanism allows for motion in two degrees of freedom, with no springs or hinges necessary. It was designed for carefully turning rocket nozzle in space.

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Compliant Overrunning Clutch

Compliant Mechanisms

Overrunning clutches, or freewheel clutches, are used in applications which require torque to be transmitted in only one direction. This design most resembles the ratchet and pawl clutch.

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"Wyrd" Elephant Compliant Mechanism

Compliant Mechanisms

A Wyrd mechanism is a compliant mechanism that has motion similar to a double parallel mechanism.

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Bistable Mechanism

Compliant Mechanisms

This mechanism demonstrates how compliant beams can be used to store energy not just while actively being bent, but also in a bistable configuration like this. This model also makes for a great fidget toy.

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"Wyrd" BYU Cougar Compliant Mechanism

Compliant Mechanism

This Wyrd mechanism imitates what is usually made from rigid hinges by using thin living hinges. Print it to see how it moves!

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Fully Compliant Pliers

Compliant Mechanisms

These pliers show how compliant mechanisms can be used to perdorm the same functions as much more complicated, classical mechanisms. These pliers are made from a single material, and so are much easier to produce.

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Centrifugal Clutch

Compliant Mechanisms

This clutch only engages with the outer wall once the inner rotor reaches a specific velocity, which is desirable in almost all applications involving an internal combustion engine.

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Ortho-Planar Spring

Compliant Mechanisms

The Ortho-Planar Spring is a compact spring with a platform that undergoes a large displacement in either direction, but does not rotate like conventional planar springs. This invention has numerous advantages.

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Bistable Compliant Switch

Compliant Mechanisms

This bistable switch is an example of a compliant mechanism with a four-bar mechanism pseudo-rigid-body model. A contact force is created by causing the contacts to connect before the second stable equilibrium position is reached. Living hinges are used at the other joints.

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Large-Displacement Linear-Motion Mechanisms

Compliant Mechanisms

This kind of mechanism is used to displace a bar in a straight line and in a very secure and predicatble way. It works by using multiple beams as both springs and guides for the central bar.

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Cross-Axis Flexural Pivot

Compliant Mechanisms

This pivot demonstrates how compliant mechanisms can be used instead of pin joints in certain rigid-body situations, where wear should be avoided and springiness is desired.

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Bat-Flex

Compliant Mechanisms

This Halloween-inspired model uses compliant hinges to allow for a cute range of motion in the flapping of the bat's wings.

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Christmas Ornament

Compliant Mechanisms

This delightful Christmas ornament uses LET joints to create a spherical case for a simple origami-inspired tree.

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Cross-Axis Ghost

Compliant Mechanisms

This little ghost bends back and forth in a spooky little motion built off the Cross-Axis Flexural Pivot.

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3D Printable Flasher

Origami

This pattern demonstrates the fun kinematics and compactability of flasher patterns, and can be printed on most 3D printers!

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Folding Hexagon

Origami

This folding hexagon origami pattern increases its surface area by nearly 300% when opened!

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Octocube

Origami

The octocube model demonstrates how even structural members that don't look like flat sheets can be used in ways that follow the rules of origami. The six sets of folds in this cube all work together to make a cycle.

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Origami Flasher

Origami

This origami flasher, originally designed by Jeremy Shafer and Chris Palmer, shows how origami patterns can be used to compact large sheets into very small volumes.

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Compliant Kaleidocycle

Origami

This model is unique because, despite the fact that it is built from compliant mechanisms, it can continuously cycle through a full 360 degrees of motion. It also makes for a great fidget toy.

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Ballistic Barrier

Origami

This is a downscaled version of our full-sized, bullet-proof barrier. It demonstrates how origami can be used to make a deployable wall on-demand.

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Elliptic Infinity

Origami

This mathematically fascinating sculpture is an original design by Dr. Robert Lang.

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Four-bar Origami vertex

Origami

Origami not only allows for new and complicated mechanisms, but can also emulate more traditional mechanisms as well.

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Color Changing Bidirectional Tube

Origami

This origami tube has many interesting properties, one of which can be seen in this color changing pattern. It has been the inspiration for some of our other works. Check out our publications or the link to learn more.

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Square Twist

Origami

The kinetic sculpture shown here is made of a much larger square of material than just a regular piece of paper, and it is made of a material that is an entire inch thick. Try folding that!

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An image of a mechanisms

Oriceps: Origami Inspired Forceps

Origami

This Oriceps design is an example of a compliant mechanism that was inspired by Shafer's origami "Chomper", and was made for application as a pair of forceps that were later adapted and implemented for use on one of Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci robots.

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Volume-Efficient Miura-ori (VEMO)

This ultra-compact origami-inspired deployable structure was designed for reflectarray antennas. It compacts down into a perfect cube!

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Fixed-Fixed Beam - Half Circle

FlexLinks

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"Airplane" & "Satellite"

FlexLinks

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Fixed-Fixed Beam - Initially Curved

FlexLinks

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Fixed-Fixed Straight Beam

FlexLinks

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Fixed-Slotted Straight Beam

FlexLinks

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Cantilever Beam Adjust

FlexLinks

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Cross-Axis Flexural Pivot

FlexLinks

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Large-size Circular Links

Developable Mechanisms

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Medium-size Circular Links

Developable Mechanisms

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Small-size Circular Links

Developable Mechanisms

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Morphing "Y"

Developable Mechanisms

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ONE CUT "Y"

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One Cut Origami Star

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