Solidworks design and building the Iris Mechanism

Based on the kinematic analysis, the 6 blades Iris mechanism are designed on the Solidworks software. It follows the same design parameters of the kinematic analysis.

Figure14. shows the final design on the Solidworks and figure 15 shows the motion on the Solidworks software.

Fig.14. 6-blades Iris mechanism - Solidworks design

Fig.15. Moving motion of the designed Iris mechanism


As shown in figure 15, black and white foam boards and chopsticks are used to make the Iris mechanism. All Solidworks parts are printed as 1:1 scale on paper and the foam board is cut just like the printed model.   The joints are implemented as the pins and the guide for the outer actuation ring is set as wooden chopsticks. Figure 17 shows the motion of the created 6-blades Iris mechanism.

Fig.16. Materials for making the iris mechanism


Fig.17. FInal motion.