Low Thermal Expansion Machine Frame Designs Using Lattice Structures

In this work, we investigated tessellating cellular (or lattice) structures for use in a low thermal expansion machine frame. We proposed concept lattice structure with tailorable effective coefficient of (CTE). The design is an assembly two parts: outer part and cylindrical inner part, which are made homogenous materials different positive CTEs. Several variations were their mechanical performance analysed using finite element method. Our numerical models showed that Nylon 12 ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene could yield in-plane CTE 1 × 10−9 K−1 (cf. 109 10−6 solid 12). This paper the combination optimisation additive manufacturing can be used to achieve and, therefore, frames few tens centimetres height.