On the optimum synthesis of six-bar linkages using differential evolution and the geometric centroid of precision positions technique

This paper presents a methodology that combines Differential Evolution, an evolutionary optimization scheme, and the Geometric Centroid of Precision Positions technique for mechanism synthesis. Two penalty functions one for constraint violation and one for relative accuracy are employed. The results of the initial application of this methodology were also used in subsequent analysis to considerably improve the desired accuracy level. The developed methodology is applied to the synthesis of six-bar linkages for dwell and dual-dwell mechanisms with prescribed timing and transmission angle constraints. The six-bar mechanism is synthesized using three different approaches as will be described and verified with the presented results.