Design of a Low Cost 3D Printable Single-Component Compliant Mechanism for FWMAV’s Wing Actuation

Considering a modern approach to design, one of the viable options for developing innovative projects is the possibility of integrating the effectiveness of the solutions offered by nature and living beings with the latest design methods. With this in mind, the following research exploits the idea of reproducing the natural flexibility inherent in biological structures by combining the advantages of compliant mechanisms with the adaptability of additive manufacturing processes. In the specific, the authors intend to highlight the potential and critical aspects of a possible approach for the application of compliant mechanisms in the development of single-component structures suitable for the actuation of bio-inspired Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles (FWMAVs), which can be produced via low cost 3D printing. Some designs conceived by interpreting the movement of insects’ wings have been developed with the aim of reproducing the functionality and morphology of their thorax through single-component flexible mechanisms. The results of this research demonstrate the high potentiality of realizing bio-inspired single-component compliant mechanisms through 3D printing.