Design and Optimization of Hybrid Compliant Narrow-Gauge Surgical Forceps

Author(s):  
Milton E. Aguirre ◽  
Mary Frecker

This work describes a design and optimization method for developing hybrid, multi-material, compliant instruments which are expected to be useful in mini-laparoscopy and natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery. These two-material devices are designed specifically for Penn State’s lost mold rapid infiltration process, which is capable of fabricating hundreds of freestanding meso-scale parts in parallel. New narrow-gauge surgical procedures impose severe geometric constraints that challenge traditional compliant mechanism design methods. Since narrow-gauge constraints leave geometry optimization ineffective, new design methods are explored to improve the performance of a 1 mm diameter contact-aided compliant forceps. By considering hybrid designs, new design possibilities are enabled through material variation. The hybrid forceps has desired regions of flexibility and stiffness that can be isolated to improve tool performance. For instance, a hybrid forceps can be designed with greater flexibility in some regions to provide larger jaw openings while maintaining high stiffness in other regions to obtain large grasping forces, both vital features in a surgical forceps. Using ANSYS to model large deformation and contact, an optimization problem is formulated to maximize tool performance and to determine optimal segregation of hybrid materials considering a range of modulus ratios. Materials under consideration include nanoparticulate 3 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) and austenitic (300 series) stainless steel. All results are compared to previously optimized homogeneous designs.

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Wolniakowski ◽  
Andrej Gams ◽  
Lilita Kiforenko ◽  
Aljaž Kramberger ◽  
Dimitrios Chrysostomou ◽  
...  

Abstract The gripper finger design is a recurring problem in many robotic grasping platforms used in industry. The task of switching the gripper configuration to accommodate for a new batch of objects typically requires engineering expertise, and is a lengthy and costly iterative trial-and-error process. One of the open challenges is the need for the gripper to compensate for uncertainties inherent to the workcell, e.g. due to errors in calibration, inaccurate pose estimation from the vision system, or object deformation. In this paper, we present an analysis of gripper uncertainty compensating capabilities in a sample industrial object grasping scenario for a finger that was designed using an automated simulation-based geometry optimization method (Wolniakowski et al., 2013, 2015). We test the developed gripper with a set of grasps subjected to structured perturbation in a simulation environment and in the real-world setting. We provide a comparison of the data obtained by using both of these approaches. We argue that the strong correspondence observed in results validates the use of dynamic simulation for the gripper finger design and optimization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 238
Author(s):  
Yun-Fei Fu ◽  
Kazem Ghabraie ◽  
Bernard Rolfe ◽  
Yanan Wang ◽  
Louis N. S. Chiu

The smooth design of self-supporting topologies has attracted great attention in the design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) field as it cannot only enhance the manufacturability of optimized designs but can obtain light-weight designs that satisfy specific performance requirements. This paper integrates Langelaar’s AM filter into the Smooth-Edged Material Distribution for Optimizing Topology (SEMDOT) algorithm—a new element-based topology optimization method capable of forming smooth boundaries—to obtain print-ready designs without introducing post-processing methods for smoothing boundaries before fabrication and adding extra support structures during fabrication. The effects of different build orientations and critical overhang angles on self-supporting topologies are demonstrated by solving several compliance minimization (stiffness maximization) problems. In addition, a typical compliant mechanism design problem—the force inverter design—is solved to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the combination between SEMDOT and Langelaar’s AM filter.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Damian Obidowski ◽  
Mateusz Stajuda ◽  
Krzysztof Sobczak

An efficient approach to the geometry optimization problem of a non-axisymmetric flow channel is discussed. The method combines geometrical transformation with a computational fluid dynamics solver, a multi-objective genetic algorithm, and a response surface. This approach, through geometrical modifications and simplifications allows transforming a non-axisymmetric problem into the axisymmetric one in some specific devices i.e., a scroll distributor or a volute. It results in a significant decrease in the problem size, as only the flow in a quasi-2D section of the channel is solved. A significantly broader design space is covered in a much shorter time than in the standard method, and the optimization of large flow problems is feasible with desktop-class computers. One computational point is obtained approximately eight times faster than in full geometry computations. The method was applied to a scroll distributor. For the case under analysis, it was possible to increase flow uniformity, eradicate separation zones, and increase the overall efficiency, which was followed by energy savings of 16% for the scroll. The results indicate that this method can be successfully applied for the optimization of similar problems.


Author(s):  
Giridhar Reddy ◽  
Jonathan Cagan

Abstract A method for the design of truss structures which encourages lateral exploration, pushes away from violated spaces, models design intentions, and produces solutions with a wide variety of characteristics is introduced. An improved shape annealing algorithm for truss topology generation and optimization, based on the techniques of shape grammars and simulated annealing, implements the method. The algorithm features a shape grammar to model design intentions, an ability to incorporate geometric constraints to avoid obstacles, and a shape optimization method using only simulated annealing with more consistent convergence characteristics; no traditional gradient-based techniques are employed. The improved algorithm is illustrated on various structural examples generating a variety of solutions based on a simple grammar.


2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. 316-322
Author(s):  
Ching-Yeh Hsin ◽  
Jia-Lin Wu ◽  
Sheng-Fong Chang

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Zhou

The hybrid discretization model for topology optimization of compliant mechanisms is introduced in this paper. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells. Each design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells. This hybrid discretization model allows any two contiguous design cells to be connected by four triangular analysis cells whether they are in the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction. Topological anomalies such as checkerboard patterns, diagonal element chains, and de facto hinges are completely eliminated. In the proposed topology optimization method, design variables are all binary, and every analysis cell is either solid or void to prevent the gray cell problem that is usually caused by intermediate material states. Stress constraint is directly imposed on each analysis cell to make the synthesized compliant mechanism safe. Genetic algorithm is used to search the optimum and to avoid the need to choose the initial guess solution and conduct sensitivity analysis. The obtained topology solutions have no point connection, unsmooth boundary, and zigzag member. No post-processing is needed for topology uncertainty caused by point connection or a gray cell. The introduced hybrid discretization model and the proposed topology optimization procedure are illustrated by two classical synthesis examples of compliant mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 726-733
Author(s):  
Yongjie Zhang ◽  
Xiaofeng Deng

In this study, 2D finite element (FE) solving process with the conformal perfectly matched layer (PML) is elucidated to perform the electromagnetic scattering computation. With the 2D monostatic RCS as the optimization objective, a sensitivity analysis of the basic design parameters of conformal PML (e.g., layer thickness, loss factor, extension order and layer number) is conducted to identify the major parameters of conformal PML that exerts more significant influence on 2D RCS. Lastly, the major design parameters of conformal PML are optimized by the simulated annealing algorithm (SA). As revealed from the numerical examples, the parameter design and optimization method of conformal PML based on SA is capable of enhancing the absorption effect exerted by the conformal PML and decreasing the error of the RCS calculation. It is anticipated that the parameter design method of conformal PML based on RCS optimization can be applied to the cognate absorbing boundary and 3D electromagnetic computation.


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