@article {18768, title = {Development of a multi-piece multi-gate mold for manufacturing a flapping wing drive-mechanism}, journal = {Transactions of North American Manufacturing Research Institution of SME}, volume = {36}, year = {2008}, month = {2008///}, abstract = {Successful realization a flapping wing microair vehicle (MAV) requires development of a light weight drive-mechanism that can convert the continuous rotary motion to oscillatory flapping motion. Molded compliant drive-mechanisms are an attractive design option because of manufacturing scalability and reduction in the number of parts. The unique characteristics of this mechanism require development of a complex multi-piece multi-gate mold design. This paper describes a systematic approach for determining the part shape and size, optimizing the mold pieces, and placing the gates on the multi-piece mold. The novel aspects of this work include (1) selecting non-critical shape features to optimize the mold design and (2) the use of sacrificial structural elements to reduce the impact of the weld lines on the structural performance. The mold developed using our approach was utilized to realize a working flapping wing MAV. }, url = {http://web.mit.edu/arvinda/www/NAMRI_2008_Draft.pdf}, author = {Ananthanarayanan,A. and Bejgerowski,W. and Mueller,D. and Gupta,S.K.} }