Gloyer, P.; Schek, L.N.; Flöttmann, H.L.; Wüst, P.; Völlmecke, C. Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing-Driven Design and Testing of the Snapping Interlocking Metasurface Mechanism ShroomLock. Inventions2023, 8, 137.
Gloyer, P.; Schek, L.N.; Flöttmann, H.L.; Wüst, P.; Völlmecke, C. Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing-Driven Design and Testing of the Snapping Interlocking Metasurface Mechanism ShroomLock. Inventions 2023, 8, 137.
Gloyer, P.; Schek, L.N.; Flöttmann, H.L.; Wüst, P.; Völlmecke, C. Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing-Driven Design and Testing of the Snapping Interlocking Metasurface Mechanism ShroomLock. Inventions2023, 8, 137.
Gloyer, P.; Schek, L.N.; Flöttmann, H.L.; Wüst, P.; Völlmecke, C. Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing-Driven Design and Testing of the Snapping Interlocking Metasurface Mechanism ShroomLock. Inventions 2023, 8, 137.
Abstract
This study presents the manufacturing process driven development of an interlocking metasurface mechanism (ILM) for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) with a focus on open-source accessibility. The presented ILM is designed to enable strong contact between to planar surfaces. The mechanism consists of spring elements and locking pins which snap together when forced into contact. The mechanism is designed to optimize mechanical properties, functionality and printability with common FFF printers. The mechanisms is printed from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament which was selected for its flexibility, crucial for spring element performance and tolerances of the fabrication method. To characterize the designed mechanism a tensile test is carried out to assess the holding force of the ILM. The force-displacement profiles are analyzed and categorized into distinct phases, highlighting the interplay between spring deformation, sliding, and disengagement. The results show variations in holding forces attributed to geometric and material-related factors. The testing results are compared and discussed to a numerical simulation carried out with a frictionless approach with a nonlinear Neo–Hookean material law. The study underscores the importance of meticulous parameter control in 3D printing for consistent and reliable performance of interlocking metasurface mechanisms. The investigation leads to a scalable model of a ILM element pair with a distinct three-phase snapping characteristics ensuring reliable holding capabilities.
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
