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Why Machines That Bend Are Better

Veritasium · 13.3M views · 2019-03-12 · 12:52

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Overview

Veritasium explores compliant mechanisms, devices that move by flexing rather than using hinges and joints, with researchers at BYU. It covers advantages such as fewer parts and precision, including uses in nuclear weapon safety.

On Hacker News

HN commenters like it as a high-quality, accessible look at an under-appreciated engineering idea and bring it up in snap-fit and hinge discussions.

Recommended by 3 HN people across 3 months · HN mentions 2019–2021

Topics

Mechanical & precision engineeringEveryday physics & science demos
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compliant mechanismsflexuresmechanical engineeringveritasiumsnap fit

What people said

mehrdadn · 2020-08 · Strong recommendation

Veritasium videos are pretty darn high quality. Fun to watch and learn from, sometimes mindblowingly. Definitely recommend subscribing. One of my favorites is Derek's video on compliant mechanisms: [VIDEO]

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sitkack · 2020-12 · Recommendation

Folks that like this might like CNC joinery and compliant mechanisms. [LINK] Why Machines That Bend Are Better [VIDEO]

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missosoup · 2019-11 · Recommendation

There wouldn't be much to 'leak'. The nuclear material in weapons is relatively safe to handle as long as you don't ingest it. It's the post-explosion fission products that are nasty. Also with nuclear weapons, as much engineering has gone into safety as into weapon design itself. It's astronomically improbable for a modern nuclear weapon to detonate prior to arming even if the explosive lens is set off. The reentry vehicle is designed to come down at circa mach 14 so a little bit of heat and jostling isn't going to bother it. Cool video about some of the engineering involved: [VIDEO]

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Sources

Video by Veritasium, played through YouTube.

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