Topology synthesis of large-displacement compliant mechanisms

This paper describes the use of topology optimization as a synthesis tool for the design of large- displacement compliant mechanisms. An objective function for the synthesis of large-displacement mech- anisms is proposed together with a formulation for synthesis of path-generating compliant mechanisms. The responses of the compliant mechanisms are modelled using a total Lagrangian nite element for- mulation, the sensitivity analysis is performed using the adjoint method and the optimization problem is solved using the method of moving asymptotes. Procedures to circumvent some numerical problems are discussed