Flexure pivots are used in space applications, where high reliability, accuracy and demanding requirements to contamination apply. In space applications, they are most commonly used in instrument mechanisms, e.g. for precise rotation of mirrors with limited angular range, but also for deployment of appendages and deployable booms. A GSTP activity with RUAG developed and tested an additive manufactured flexible pivot for space applications to assess the potential improvements due to additive manufacturing processes.
In order to confirm the accuracy of the generated models a 3D scan (shown here) was performed of the demonstrator models, which confirmed that the blades were within the specification.