Programmable multistable mechanisms (PMM) exhibit a modifiable stability behavior in which the number of stable states, stiffness, and reaction force characteristics are controlled via their programming inputs. In this paper, we present experimental characterization for the concept of stability programing introduced in our previous work (Zanaty et al., 2018, “Programmable Multistable Mechanisms: Synthesis and Modeling,” ASME J. Mech. Des., 140(4), p. 042301.) A prototype of the T-combined axially loaded double parallelogram mechanisms (DPM) with rectangular hinges is manufactured using electrodischarge machining (EDM). An analytical model based on Euler–Bernoulli equations of the T-mechanism is derived from which the stability behavior is extracted. Numerical simulations and experimental measurements are conducted on programming the mechanism as monostable, bistable, tristable, and quadrastable, and show good agreement with our analytical derivations within 10%.
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September 2018
Research-Article
Experimental Characterization of a T-Shaped Programmable Multistable Mechanism
Mohamed Zanaty,
Mohamed Zanaty
Instant-Lab
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: mohamed.zanaty@epfl.ch
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: mohamed.zanaty@epfl.ch
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Simon Henein
Simon Henein
Instant-Lab
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: simon.henein@epfl.ch
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: simon.henein@epfl.ch
Search for other works by this author on:
Mohamed Zanaty
Instant-Lab
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: mohamed.zanaty@epfl.ch
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: mohamed.zanaty@epfl.ch
Simon Henein
Instant-Lab
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: simon.henein@epfl.ch
Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL),
Neuchâtel 2000, Switzerland
e-mail: simon.henein@epfl.ch
1Corresponding author.
Contributed by the Mechanisms and Robotics Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN. Manuscript received January 4, 2018; final manuscript received April 6, 2018; published online June 8, 2018. Assoc. Editor: Massimo Callegari.
J. Mech. Des. Sep 2018, 140(9): 092301 (10 pages)
Published Online: June 8, 2018
Article history
Received:
January 4, 2018
Revised:
April 6, 2018
Citation
Zanaty, M., and Henein, S. (June 8, 2018). "Experimental Characterization of a T-Shaped Programmable Multistable Mechanism." ASME. J. Mech. Des. September 2018; 140(9): 092301. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4040173
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