The research group released two animations that demonstrate space applications of a monolithic two-degree-of-freedom pointing mechanism.
In conjunction with presenting at the Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium in Baltimore, Maryland, in May 2014, the CMR has released two animations that demonstrate space applications of a monolithic two-degree-of-freedom pointing mechanism (thruster application and antenna application). The mechanism was designed by CMR Ph.D. student Ezekiel Merriam in collaboration with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The compliant mechanism is 3D printed in titanium and has advantages of low part count, small mass, low friction, small volume, elimination of articulating components, and an unobstructed path for fuel lines and electronic connections. The mechanism is described in detail in a recent journal publication that can be downloaded at http://www.mech-sci.net/4/381/2013/ms-4-381-2013.html. The animations were done by Nathan Mooth (thruster application) and Dennis West (antenna application); both students are affiliated with BYU’s animation program. The project was supported by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center through NASA Grant No. NNX13AF52G, and the National Science Foundation and Air Force Office of Scientific Research through NSF grant No. 1240417. Ezekiel Merriam has also been supported by a NASA Office of the Chief Technologist’s Space Technology Research Fellowship.