Design Optimization of an Additively Manufactured Passive Vibration Isolator for an Inertial Measurement Unit for Enhanced Measurement Performance

Vibration isolation for inertial measurement units (IMUs) is a challenge for guided missile designers since flight perturbations can disrupt the performance of the IMUs. Additive manufacturing methods have the advantage of producing structures with efficient yet complex geometries that make a difference in passive vibration isolator design. This research aims to design the optimum ring-shaped passive vibration isolator, 3D printed from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which can effectively isolate the IMU from vibrations at various frequencies. Characterization of the TPU is made through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests. The isolator geometry is parametrized and a parametric ABAQUS Python script is prepared to perform parametric finite element analyses to analyze the isolator’s performance. A MATLAB script is used to detect the mode shapes utilizing the Modal Assurance Criterion. An optimization workflow is constructed in modeFrontier to optimize the isolator geometry utilizing the Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm Method. As a result, high-frequency vibrations are minimized and effective low-frequency response, one of the critical parameters for an accurate IMU measurement, is maintained. To validate the finite element model, the optimum isolator design found within the scope of the study is produced and tested through the sine sweep and the random vibration tests. This research indicates additive manufacturing as a valuable option for creating high-performance IMU isolators for guided missile applications.