The use of environmentally friendly, lubricant-free plastic seals in the rotating parts of robots and machines is on the rise. However, variations in seal geometry and operating conditions can influence the contact pressure between the seal and shaft, potentially leading to poor sealing performance, premature wear, or debris ingress. Therefore, advanced design optimization is essential. In this study, we conduct a parametric study and sensitivity analysis to enhance the performance of plastic seals. Finite element analysis (FEA) is carried out using a 2D axisymmetric model with interference fit contact conditions to accurately simulate the behavior of the seal and shaft. We verify the reliability of the analysis by comparing the deformation of the seal diameter before and after shaft insertion with experimental measurements obtained using a 3D tactile measurement device. We analyze four design variables: pressure, temperature, seal diameter, and coefficient of friction, considering seal contact pressure as the objective function. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of these design variables on contact pressure and to identify trends.

Precision positioning stages are devices for precisely positioning objects according to required degrees of freedom and performance. Precision positioning stages are classified into serial and parallel mechanisms. Except for specific applications, the parallel mechanism is preferred. In serial mechanism, dynamic characteristics such as resonant frequency are clearly different from axis to axis and the first resonance frequency is distinctly low compared to the second. These make the control performance different for each axis and incurs limitation in control. In this study, the first and second resonant frequencies in a serial 2-DOF precision positioning stage were increased while maintaining their approximal value. Compliance analysis for the stage was performed by applying the matrix based method. A new concept of resonant frequency isotropy (RFI) was introduced and design optimization was performed in which first and second resonant frequencies almost coincided. This optimization allowed for the design of a serial 2-DOF precision positioning stage with enhanced first resonance frequency by 50.8% and RFI by 80.2% compared to the initial design. This paper is expected to increase the use of precision positioning stages based on serial mechanism and apply the concept of RFI to the positioning stages with more than 2-DOF.