Compliant Mechanism Design

Launchspace presents a special live and on-site course prior to the 48th Aerospace Mechanisms Symposium (AMS) in May 2026.

Compliant Mechanism Design is a special course for engineers working on mechanisms that are used to transfer or transform motion, force, or energy. Traditional rigid-body mechanisms consist of rigid links connected at movable joints. A compliant mechanism is a mechanism that gains at least some of its mobility from the deflection of flexible members rather than from movable joints only. This two-day course focuses on the basics of compliant mechanisms, modeling and simulation, materials selection, failure prevention and design.

Course Outline:

• Day 1, May 11, 2026 – Morning – Basics of Compliant Mechanism Design
  • Introduction (CM advantages, challenges, nomenclature)
  • Flexibility and deflection
  • Compliant mechanism building blocks

• Day 1, May 11, 2026 – Afternoon – Modeling/Simulation
  • CM modeling philosophy
  • Small-deflection analysis
  • Large-deflection analysis: Pseudo-rigid-body model
  • Approaches for nonlinear finite element analysis
  • Principle of virtual work (as time allows)

• Day 2, May 12, 2026 – Morning – Material Selection and Failure Prevention
  
  • Material selection criteria and failure prevention
  • Material selection criteria for compliant mechanisms
  • Failure modes
  • Failure prevention – static and dynamic
  • Fabrication and testing of compliant mechanisms

• Day 2, May 12, 2026 – Afternoon – Design
  
  • Design approach
  • Examples of compliant mechanism design
  • Design exercise

Course Notes and Certificates:

All registrants will receive a complete set of course notes and individual Certificates of Completion.

Instructor: Dr. Todd Nelson

Dr. Todd G Nelson received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University (BYU) where he studied origami-inspired mechanisms and compliant mechanisms under his advisor, Dr. Larry L. Howell. Combining principles from compliant mechanisms and the ancient art of origami has led to novel mechanisms and products which can be ultra-compact, deployable, scalable and fabricated from a single sheet of material. His research has implications for varied applications including medical implants, surgical tools, aerospace applications, automotive airbags, and deployable structures. Dr. Nelson enjoys teaching mechanism and machine design courses that lead to innovations in aerospace technologies and designs.

Registration and Fees:

This course will be held on-site in Huntsville, Alabama prior to AMS. However, this course is not part of the 48th AMS Conference and separate registration and tuition fees are  payable for delegates attending this course in addition to any AMS registration fees.

The fee for each attendee to the Compliant Mechanism Design Course is US$995.00. This includes complete course materials and Certificates of Completion. However, there is a discount of US$100.00 for each registration received before April 1, 2026.

Registration link:

> REGISTER

Details about other Launchspace courses can be found on the Launchspace website www.launchspace.com.

For Further Information Contact: info@launchspace.com
+1.202.258.6133