Methodology of Optimal Link Shape Synthesis of Planar Mechanisms

Abstract

The optimization problem formulation for link shape synthesis for the optimally balanced simple and multiloop planar mechanisms is presented in this paper. The closed parametric curve is used to represent the link shape and its geometric and inertial properties are calculated using well known Green's theorem. The proposed optimization problem includes the equality constraints to keep the resulting inertial properties same as the inertial properties of the optimally balanced mechanisms. I.INTRODUCTION In this paper, the link shapes are synthesized for optimally balanced mechanism for the given motion. The link shapes satisfying kinematic and dynamic requirements are very crucial for the design of a mechanism and its performance. The shape synthesis using parametric curves like Hermit, Bezier and B-spline curves leads to computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing of the mechanism links. Through CAD modeling of the links using these curves; the design, production and functional details can beeasily transmitted between engineering and manufacturing operations. The CAD modeling of the links is also useful in analyzing the static and dynamic response of the designed mechanism. The real-time behavior of the mechanism is evaluated through computer simulation and thus it eliminates the need of the experimental tests for the actual mechanism. Therefore, the cost and time are saved to a great extent and any possible error is realized before manufacturing of the mechanism links.