Flexure for Self-Assembly

Conventional fastening mechanisms like nails, bolts, and welds are subject to manufacturing and inspection tolerances, differential thermal growth, and other sources of error that lead to over-constraint, among other challenges, for manufacturers and assemblers. Sandia researchers have developed a versatile flexure design that resolves common issues such as over-constraint while providing more sophisticated control of freedom of movement, stiffness, configuration, and constraint and compliance features. This level of control and versatility is valuable in advanced or self-assembling manufacturing settings, particularly for large or complex systems.