Combining Inverse Dynamics with Traditional Mechanism Synthesis to Improve the Performance of High Speed Machinery

This paper describes a unique, computer-based, mechanism design strategy that takes into account both kinematic and dynamic performance criteria at the synthesis stage of the design process. The strategy can be used to investigate improvements in the design of any existing mechanism with geometric redundancy in its output path. By iteratively varying the form of this redundant portion of the output path, alternative potentially better mechanism designs can be generated using a traditional mechanism synthesis and kinematic analysis method. The generated designs with the most desirable kinematic characteristics can be selected and analyzed using a multi-body, dynamic modeling and analysis tool. Using forward and inverse dynamic analysis the quality, of the designs can be quantified. This paper describes work done to apply the strategy to an existing mechanism. An alternative mechanism design was identified with superior dynamic qualities. Kinematic performance was not sacrificed.