Combining cross-pivot flexures to generate improved kinematically equivalent flexure systems.

We show that new kinematic equivalents with improved performance of standard flexure elements can be systematically synthesized by combination of cross-pivot flexures. Cross-pivot flexures provide a unique feature of kinematic stability under both high loading and large displacement conditions which can be exploited to synthesize a range of kinematic equivalents to standard flexure elements which retain much greater stiffness, load capacity and range capacity than the traditional elements. Cross-pivot synthetic elements provide a means to expand the performance of a large range of flexure-based structures including motion stages, manufacturing equipment and optical systems. This could result in better data collection, smaller systems, and less distortion in operation. • We show how to combinations of cross-pivot flexures can be used to synthesize kinematic equivalents to standard flexure elements. • Cross-pivot flexures provide a unique feature of kinematic stability under both high loading and large displacement conditions. • We show that cross-pivot kinematic equivalents can boost constrained direction stiffness and load capacity for a given range. • We demonstrate this enhanced performance by comparing a conventional wire flexure with its cross-pivot kinematic equivalent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]