DAMPING OF FLEXURE BLADES BASED ON ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: DESIGN FOR SPACE AND NUMERICAL MODEL CORRELATION
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Author
Hayoz, Simon
Saudan, Hervé
Helfer, Jean-Luc
Salamin, Lisa
DOI
Abstract
Flexure-based mechanisms have become state-of-the-art solutions for designing high-precision systems that are free from wear, backlash, and lubrication. However, these benefits often come with the drawback of very high-quality factors, which can lead to adverse vibrations during highly dynamic motions. To address this challenge, CSEM developed and validated a concept of damped flexure blades using additive manufacturing. A follow-up activity is ongoing under an OSIP contract. The objective is to continue developing this technology to make it robust for space applications. Two main areas of development are being explored: design for space and numerical model correlation. With these two developments, it will be possible to implement the damped flexures in applications where damping and stiffness settings are critical. Isolation structures and precision positioning mechanisms are typical examples of such applications. The design freedom provided by additive manufacturing allows the main stiffness characteristics to be tuned according to these applications specifications.
Publication Reference
21st European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium (ESMATS), 2025, Lausanne (Switzerland)
Year
2025-09-24