Proposal for a Design Approach for Mechatronic Systems Based on Optimization Design and Case-Based Reasoning

Abstract

Multidisciplinary systems, such as mechatronic systems, are particularly complex to design because the designer needs knowledge in many fields. This paper is part of a routine process design to optimize the topology of a multidisciplinary system, which is difficult when dealing with more than one discipline or when solutions must be chosen within a set of components and combined. To solve this problem, an approach for the design and optimization of such systems is proposed. It is based on topology optimization, which combines the parametric optimization, using tools like genetic algorithms or particle swarm optimization, and the Case-Based Reasoning to find the best possible solutions by combining and adapting cases within a database or a set of components. This approach is then applied to the design of a gripping tool which will be mounted as a robot effector. This system belongs to the family of mechatronic systems which integrates mechanical, electrical, control and software engineering.

Multidisciplinary design optimization of a gear train transmission

“…In general, a redesign process creates a new product from an existing solution in order to improve its performance. The MDO is one of the redesign solving methods (Casner et al, 2012). Note that, at this level of design process, it is desirable that the adopted problem formulation ensures multidisciplinary feasibility at each iteration of the optimization process.…”