Monolithic two-axis flexure with center hole feature

An assembly, comprising:

• a base;
• a supported object;
• and
• a flexure structure, wherein the flexure structure interconnects the supported object to the base, and wherein the flexure structure includes:
• a generally annular interconnect structure, wherein a central aperture of the generally annular interconnect structure encompasses a center point;
• first and second base mounts, wherein the first and second base mounts are joined to the generally annular interconnect structure by first and second flexure units respectively, wherein the first and second base mounts are fixed to the base, and wherein the first and second flexure units are centered along a first axis;
• and
• first and second object mounts, wherein the first and second object mounts are joined to the generally annular interconnect structure by third and fourth flexure units respectively, wherein the first and second object mounts are fixed to the supported object, and wherein the third and fourth flexure units are centered along a second axis.

A method for supporting an object, comprising:

• forming a flexure structure from a single, integral piece of material, the flexure structure including:
• a generally annular interconnect structure, wherein a central aperture of the generally annular interconnect structure encompasses a center point;
• first, second, third, and fourth flexure units;
• first and second base mounts, wherein the first and second base mounts are joined to the generally annular interconnect structure by the first and second flexure units respectively, and wherein the first and second flexure units are centered along a first axis;
• first and second object mounts, wherein the first and second object mounts are joined to the generally annular interconnect structure by third and fourth flexure units respectively, and wherein the third and fourth flexure units are centered along a second axis;
• fixing the first and second base mounts to a base;
• fixing the first and second object mounts to a supported object, wherein the first and second flexure units allow a movement of the supported object relative to the base about the first axis, and wherein the third and fourth flexure units allow a movement of the supported object relative to the base about the second axis;
• and
• disposing a component of at least one of the base or the supported object at least partially within the central aperture.