OptimaLink: A MATLAB-Based Code for Teaching/Learning Precision-Point and Optimum Synthesis and Simulation of Mechanisms

摘要

This paper presents OptimaLink, a MATLAB-based code to facilitate the teaching/learning of design of mechanisms and intelligent optimization methods. The current version of OptimaLink accommodates dimensional synthesis, analysis, and animation of four-bar (RRRR) mechanisms. Dimensional synthesis includes both precision-point and optimum synthesis methods. The paper begins by introducing the objective function for synthesis of the RRRR mechanism, followed by a summary of the intelligent search methods coded in OptimaLink, namely Simulated Annealing, Genetic Algorithm and Tabu Search. OptimaLink's structure and its use are then briefly outlined and an application example is provided to demonstrate the usefulness of the code. Finally, possible didactic uses of the code are proposed. Although dedicated to mechanism design, the user can tap into the optimization algorithms coded in OptimaLink to solve other design problems by coding the corresponding user-interface module.