Metaheuristics-based approach for multiple dynamic responses optimization of flexible mechanisms

This work denotes an insight into flexible multibody systems synthesis. In contrast with classical synthesis approaches, the flexible behaviour of the mechanisms’ different bodies is taken into account. A set of responses, such as drawn path, velocity, acceleration in addition to flexible bodies’ axial displacement have been combined into the same cost function. Both flexible slider-crank and four-bar mechanisms have been considered as illustrative examples. The design variables subsume dimensional, i.e. the flexible links’ length and the material characteristics’ such as the Young modulus and material density. Seven optimization techniques have been implemented, mainly, the Biogeography-Based Algorithm (BBA), Cultural Algorithm (CA), Firefly Algorithm (FA), Harmonic Search (HS), Invasive Weed (IW), Shuffled Complex Evolution (SC), and the Shuffled Frog (SF). The combined synthesis approach has been investigated beside single-based response synthesis. It’s been confirmed that involving a single response for a flexible mechanism couldn’t vow high accuracy and random responses are witnessed for the mechanism’s components non-involved in the synthesis, whereas the combined synthesis did joy optimizing the responses of all the mechanism bodies’ simultaneously.