Abstract. In order to improve the key performance of the compliant
actuators, it is necessary to parametrically optimize the compliant
actuators based on the compliance features of flexible hinges. A new
structural parameter λ, the compliance ratio, which could reflect
the sensitivity of the main form of the output displacement, was proposed
and analyzed in detail. A compliant lever actuator was developed, and it was
optimized by making use of the parameter λ. The optimization was
also validated by finite element method (FEM) simulation and experiment. The simulation and
experiment results both show that the magnification ratio of the compliant
actuator could be enlarged effectively based on the compliance features of
flexible hinges. Finally, an actual application of the linear positioning
platform that was driven by the compliant lever actuator directly was
carried out, and the experiment data also show that the platform with the
optimized actuator has different degrees of optimization in terms of the key
performance, including the resolution, the motion speed, and the working
stroke. It is helpful to develop the compliant actuators and apply it into
the precision engineering.