Using compliant mechanisms movement is obtained by the deformation of one or several mechanism members. If these members are subjected to large deformations the mechanism analysis requires the solution of a contiuum mechanical boundary value problem. In the following contribution an efficient solution procedure based on a rate formulation for beamlike structures is presented. In addition the application of fibre reinforced thermoplastic materials for the flexible mechanism members is investigated. Beside their lightweight potential these materials may couple different directions of deformation. These coupling effects can be used to generate spatial movements with compliant mechanisms which initially have a planar configuration. The application of long fibre reinforced thermoplastic materials is investigated in the framework of the collaborative research centre 639 sponsored by the German Research Foundation at the Dresden University of Technology.