Synthesizing linkages with minimal structural and mechanical error based upon tolerance allocation

Abstract

Methods to synthesize linkages with minimum structural error have been reported extensively while the work reported on the mechanical error analysis and synthesis of linkages is scanty. All these methods are indirect approach to the problem. The present work suggests a direct method for minimizing the structural error together with the mechanical error due to manufacturing tolerances on the link dimensions, which are assumed random in nature and follow normal distribution. Also allocation of tolerances to limit the mechanical error below a specified value is explained and illustrated.