Why Machines That Bend Are Better
12,820,683
Published 2019-03-12
I visited the Compliant Mechanisms Research group at Brigham Young University and spoke to Professor Larry Howell:
www.compliantmechanisms.byu.edu/
At the above link, you can download 3D-print files to make some of the objects in the video, plus learn more about compliant mechanisms.
What I learned about compliant mechanisms I summarize in the 8 P's of compliant mechanisms:
1. Part count (reduced by having flexible parts instead of springs, hinges)
2. Productions processes (many, new, different enabled by compliant designs)
3. Price (reduced by fewer parts and different production processes)
4. Precise Motion (no backlash, less wear, friction)
5. Performance (no outgassing, doesn't require lubricant)
6. Proportions (reduced through different production processes)
7. Portability (lightweight due to simpler, reduced part count designs)
8. Predictability (devices are reliable over a long period of time)
Special thanks to Patreon supporters:
Donal Botkin, James M Nicholson, Michael Krugman, Nathan Hansen, Ron Neal, Stan Presolski, Terrance Shepherd
Animation by Alan Chamberlain
All Comments (21)
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Professor Howell: "Here's my book, it's the most cited book in the field."
He's flexing. -
11:27 "So are these now being used on nuclear weapons?"
"You know, it turns out they don't tell us"
Now I know how to take my resume to the next level. -
I work in an R&D lab of a Swiss watchmaking company, and I can tell you that compliant mechanisms are currently by far the hottest topic in research for mechanical watches. For example, they're used in the form of microfabricated oscillatorsmade of Silicon in the Frederique Constant Monolithic and the Zenith Defy Lab.
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"What if I stick my finger in it?"
"You'll scream in pain"
"Sounds great let's do it!" -
“Why machines that bend are better”
iPhone 6: right.... -
"you would scream in pain "
*puts his finger and then scream *
they don't call him a scientist for nothing bud -
This is amazing. As a mechanical engineering student, we are learning all the ways to prevent bending and shear, whilst you guys are taking advantage of it to make advanced mechanisms.
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I knew the mechanisms in Mark Rober's new video looked familiar; I guess this is where I saw them.
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1:37 Engineers in their natural habitat: easily startled, and run away at the first sign of danger.
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Weird flex but okay
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Always great when you can use Veritasium as a source in essays and stuff. Doing a 1st year eng research essay on the possible application of Compliant mechanisms in landing gear for spacecraft. (due in 3 hours as of writing this[almost done]) It is so nice to be able to watch a video and then understand(at least a vague understanding) of what all the papers I'm reading are actually saying.
Edit: got an extension, now I can expand my conclusion paragraph -
Thanks to incredible people such as Professor Howell we as a species can evolve and get better. Science is amazing
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The thruster control module was probably the coolest thing I've seen all year.
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That man was such good sport. Very open with how it works. I personally thank him for being on this episode
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Amazingly efficient and impressive. The possibilities at the quantum level have suddenly come into perspective. Good video!
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Larry is like literally a clone of my uncle and my grandfather. All engineers, same gestures same glasses the same clothes same hair
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That thruster control for the satellite is a thing of beauty. I'd love to see an animation of how it works!
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"machines that bend are better"
Bender: "shut up baby, i know it." -
This is crazy good. Opens the door for my brain to think of many cool mechanisms that I did not think of before. Really awesome. Thank you so much!
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I really loved the idea of these machines and this type of mechanisms seriously need to be used more...thank you for the enlightenment.
