Precision Engineering: Fundamentals, Research and Practical Applications

July 9-10, 2007 | MIT Campus - Cambridge, MA

Introduction

Intensive coverage of precision engineering theory, modeling, design and manufacturing practices. Emphasis is placed on understanding precision engineering fundamentals, how they were applied to prior art and how they are pertinent to current and next generation precision applications. The fundamentals are reinforced via discussion of examples which are drawn from diverse fields:

• Nanomanufacturing equipment
• Nanopositioning equipment
• Micro-photonics and fiber optics
• Automotive manufacturing
• Telescopes and satellite systems
• Machine tools (macro, meso, and micro-scale machines) and manufacturing processes

Why take this course

The successful development of technologies which need micron to nanometer-level precision (e.g. Machine tools, Nano-manufacturing, MEMS, Space-based telescopes, etc..) requires knowledge of Precision Engineering principles, their application and new technology emerging from research efforts. This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of precision engineering. Several tours of MIT Precision Engineering Laboratories will also be held.

Tour and question sessions

These sessions are interspersed between lectures/seminars. The goal is to provide an opportunity for participants to examine new concepts in precision engineering research and experimental hardware/prototypes. These tours enable one-on-one interaction with course instructors and researchers from the following laboratories:

• Cranfield Manufacturing Systems Department
• MIT Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory
• MIT Precision Engineering Research Group
• MIT Space Nanotechnology Laboratory
• MIT Precision Motion Control Laboratory

Learning Objectives

• Describe precision engineering theory, modeling, design and manufacturing practices.
• Examine precision engineering fundamentals, how they were applied to prior art, and how they are pertinent to current and next generation precision applications.
• Assess examples drawn from diverse fields, including nanomanufacturing; micro-photonics and fiber optics; automotive manufacturing; micro and meso-scale equipment; telescopes and satellite systems; machine tools and manufacturing processes.
• Investigate new concepts in precision engineering research and experimental hardware/prototypes.
• Examine emerging technologies in nanomanufacturing.

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Design of Flexures and Compliant Mechanisms: Fundamentals and Practical Application

July 11-12, 2007 | MIT Campus - Cambridge, MA

Course synopsis

Intensive coverage of compliant mechanism theory, modeling, design and fabrication practices. Emphasis is placed on understanding fundamentals, how they were applied to prior art and how they are pertinent to current and next generation applications. The fundamentals are reinforced via discussion of examples from the following fields:

• Macro, micro and nano-scale mechanism
• Consumer products
• Nanopositioning
• Nano-scale compliant mechanisms
• Robotics
• Deployable mechanisms/structures

What are compliant mechanisms?

Compliant mechanisms (CMs) are mechanical devices which provide smooth and controlled motion guidance due to the deformation of some or all of the mechanism's components. Compliant mechanisms may be multi-piece devices or monolithic (single-piece) devices. CMs do not require sliding, rolling or other types of contact bearings often found in rigid mechanisms. These characteristics enable CMs to achieve reliable, high-performance motion control at low cost.

Although engineered compliant mechanisms/systems have been used for over a century in specialized applications, recent advances in synthesis and modeling tools have enabled the practical use of this technology beyond academic research and specialized applications.

This course was designed to provide an overview of the fundamentals and the recent advances which in combination will enable engineers to transform compliant mechanism concepts into practice.

Learning Objectives

• Examine the suitability of compliant mechanisms for specific applications.
• Understand the various quantitative and qualitative approaches to synthesis and modeling of compliant mechanisms.
• Understand the metrics that are used to determine the performance of compliant mechanisms.
• Understand the physics that govern the behavior of compliant mechanisms.
• Identify the practical issues that are important to address during integration/implementation.

Construct a compliant mechanism prototype and examine its performance via a hands-on design project.

Why take this course?

The purpose of this short-course is to provide participants with the proper perspective, proven design approaches, modeling tools, and the practical knowledge which will enable them to:

• Assess the suitability of compliant mechanisms for specific applications
• Choose an appropriate design approach for synthesis and modeling of compliant mechanisms
• Understand the types of available modeling approaches and complementary design/analysis tools
• Understand the practical issues which are important to address during integration/implementation
• Obtain hands-on experience with various compliant devices
• Teach compliant mechanism design: There will be a special session to cover this topic.

Upon completion, participants will possess the basic knowledge and skills required to conceptualize, model, fabricate and integrate CMs into practical products, equipment and instrumentation.

Prerequisite skills/knowledge

Participants who have an undergraduate degree in engineering or a technical field (e.g. physics, material science, etc...) will generally have the appropriate background knowledge. Participants are assumed to have a technical undergraduate degree in which the following have been covered at an undergraduate level:

• Mechanics (free body diagrams, dynamics, natural frequency)
• Trigonometry (basic trigonometric relationships, sine, cosine, etc...)
• Materials (relationships between stress and strain)

The course materials will include brief technical reviews of the relevant components of these subjects.