This video introduces a multi-degree-of-freedom binary-stiffness compliant mechanism that achieves two different states of stiffness by being triggered using a bistable switch. One state is very compliant and allows for deformation along two orthogonal translational directions while the other state is very stiff and resists deformation in all directions.

Details about this video are published in the Journal of Composite Materials, and can be found at this link:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full...

STL part files can be downloaded at the following Thingiverse link if you’d like to 3D print and assemble the compliant mechanism and play with it yourself:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thefactso...

Also, to understand more about compliant mechanisms in general, be sure to watch the other videos in my Compliant Mechanism Design series on this channel.

Acknowledgements:
I’m grateful to my students Sam Shimohara and Ryan H. Lee who helped to optimize, fabricate, and test the mechanism. I’m also grateful to my AFOSR program manager, Byung “Les” Lee who provided the funding to support the creation of this mechanism.

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Disclaimer:
Responsibility for the content of this video is my own. The University of California, Los Angeles is not involved with this channel nor does it endorse its content.