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Design of Small Precision Machines

Dr. Alexander H. Slocum
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
slocum@mit.edu

Abstract

There are currently many small footprint machines intended for bench top machining, and much research has been conducted on machines for mm size parts. This talk will discuss different types of structures, bearings, and actuators as well as design rules that can be used to enhance the design and performance of small machines. Simply scaling large designs does not always lead to an ideal system, and many configurations are best suited to small machines. As size decreases, packaging relative components becomes ever more challenging. Four machines designs will be considered as case studies: single rail recirculating ball bearing and ballscrew, linear motor preloaded aerostatic bearing, parallel kinematic friction driven struts (i.e., a hexapod) and a flexural bearing machine.

Biography

Prof. Slocum Alex Slocum did his undergraduate and graduate work a MIT, and then worked at the National Bureau of Standards, where he earned 12 superior service awards and a Department of Commerce Bronze Medal. He is currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and a MacVicar Faculty Fellow. He has five dozen+ patents issued/pending. He works closely with companies to create new machines and products and has been involved with nine products that have been awarded R&D 100 awards, and is the recipient of the Society of Manufacturing Engineer's Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal, and the ASME Leonardo daVinci Award. His current interests focus on the development of precision machines and instruments, MEMS, nanotechnology, and consumer products.