Simultaneous Type and Dimensional Synthesis of Planar 1DOF Mechanisms Using Evolutionary Search and Convertible Agents
This paper introduces a novel approach to automated mechanism synthesis called “convertible agents”. The evolutionary computing technique has been developed specifically for the unique design challenges encountered when synthesizing a mechanism for both type and dimensionality. Several case studies are presented which demonstrate the approach’s effectiveness over earlier solution strategies. In these studies, six different planar single-degree-of-freedom mechanism types are considered: a four-bar mechanism, Stephenson’s six-bar-mechanisms (types I, II, and III), and Watt’s six-bar-mechanisms (types I and II). The method is readily scalable to account for any number of different mechanism types and complexities.