Optimum Synthesis of Planar Path Generating Linkage Mechanisms

This paper presents the synthesis of path generating mechanisms as a constrained optimazation problem. General design equations are derieved whilh can be applied successively to the synthesis of 4-bar, 6-bar or linkage with more links. The optimum set of dimensions of a mechanism are determined by using a program based upon the Complex method of Box, The effectiveness of the method is illustrated by several examples.