Design of computer experiments applied to modeling compliant mechanisms

Abstract

This article discusses a procedure for force-displacement modeling compliant mechanisms by using a design of computer experiments methodology. This approach produces a force-displacement metamodel that is suited for real-time control of compliant mechanisms. The term metamodel is used to represent a simplified and efficient mathematical model of unknown phenomenon or computer codes. The metamodeling of compliant mechanisms is performed from virtual experiments based on factorial and space filling design of experiments. The procedure is used to modeling the quasi-static behavior of the HexFlex compliant mechanism. The HexFlex is a parallel compliant mechanism for nanomanipulating that allows six degrees of freedom of its moving stage. The metamodel of the HexFlex is performed from virtual experiments by the Finite Element Method (FEM). The obtained metamodel for the HexFlex is linear for the movement range of the mechanism. Simulations of the metamodel were conducted, finding good accuracy with respect to the virtual experiments. © Organizing Committee of TMCE 2010 Symposium.