A simple numerical approach for optimum synthesis of a class of planar mechanisms

Abstract

In this study a numerical method for optimum synthesis of planar mechanisms, generators of functions, paths and rigid motions, is presented. Design parameters have wide variability ranges, inside which first guesses, demanded by the iterative minimization procedure, can be chosen at random. Kinematic analysis is carried out by decomposition of the mechanism into Assur groups; mechanism assembly is managed by the construction of a proper penalty function. Optimization is carried out by using a non-derivative and a quasi-Newton method in series. Some optimum design examples are presented to illustrate the power of the method.