A cloud-based expert system for synthesis and evolutionary optimization of planar linkages

Abstract

The present paper introduces a cloud-based expert system for synthesis and evolutionary optimization of planar linkages. The kinematic structure of the linkage is composed by the modular approach based on Assur’s groups. The dyads are represented as functional blocks with input and output variables. The applied approach for obtaining the geometrical relationships between the input and the output variables of the dyads is based on the use of homogeneous transformation matrices. The developed software system allows a dimensional synthesis of planar linkages by using genetic optimization algorithms. One feature is remote creation of the models of genetic algorithms as well as the receiving of the results by means of a user-friendly interface. By exploiting the application, the user can produce and edit the initial information about the synthesized or optimized linkage; thus he can receive the calculation results as a web page and/or as MS Excel file. An additional mutation of the best chromosome genes by scanning of every gene within its searching space improves the optimal solution. The analyzed numerical case studies show the applicability of the developed software system for mechanism analysis, synthesis and optimization. Because the number of genes is not limited, the linkages with a very big number of design variables can be synthesized by exploiting the developed approach.