Journal of Bionic Engineering (2025) 22:767–782 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42235-025-00659-y

3D Printed Gear-Based Quasi-Zero Stiffness Vibration Isolation  Metastructure 

Gexin Wang2  · Jianyang Li1  · Yan Liu1  · Kunyan Wang1  · Luquan Ren1  · Qingping Liu1  · Lei Ren1,3 · Bingqian Li1

1 Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering (Ministry of  Education), Jilin University, Changchun 130022, China 

 2 Advanced Materials Thrust, The Hong Kong University of  Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou  511400, China 

3 School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering,  University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK

Abstract 

Traditional linear vibration isolators struggle to combine high load-bearing capacity with low-frequency vibration isolation, whereas nonlinear metastructure isolators can effectively fulfill both functions. This paper draws inspiration from the  Quasi-Zero Stiffness (QZS) characteristics resulting from the buckling deformation of beams, and proposes a gear-based  QZS structure by arranging beams in a circular array. We investigated the static mechanical behavior under different  structural parameters, loading angles, and gear combinations through experiments and simulations, and demonstrated the  mechanical performances could be effectively programmed. Subsequent vibration isolation tests on the double gears prove  superior vibration isolation performance at low frequency while maintaining high load-bearing capacities. Additionally,  a key contribution of our work is the development of a mathematical model to characterize the buckling behavior of the  unit beam within the gear structure, with its accuracy validated through finite element analysis and experimental results.  The gear’s modulus, number of teeth, and pressure angle are selected according to standard series, allowing the gear can  be seamlessly integrated into existing mechanical systems in critical fields such as aerospace, military, and etc. 

Keywords 3D Printing · Vibration Isolation · Quasi-zero stiffness · Gear · Metastructure