Article
Robotics
Zherong Pan, Min Liu, Xifeng Gao, Dinesh Manocha
Summary: This research presents an algorithm for computing planar linkage topology and geometry based on a user-specified end-effector trajectory. The algorithm has applications in designing low-cost, modular robots and foldable structures, and provides a semi-automatic method for exploring novel designs given high-level specifications and constraints.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ROBOTICS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Rongkang Luo, Peibao Wu, Zhihao Yu, Zhichao Hou
Summary: In this paper, a non-domain discretization model and a new optimization formulation for planar mechanism synthesis based on topological optimization are proposed. The proposed model consists of overlapped planes and unified joints, allowing for more possible connections between rigid bodies and reducing the number of design variables. The new formulation defines the number of unified joints as a constraint, reducing computational time and increasing the diversity of synthesized solutions.
COMPUTERS & STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Philipp Schorr, Jhohan Chavez, Lena Zentner, Valter Boehm
Summary: The study focuses on developing reconfigurable planar four-bar linkages by applying the tensegrity principle. By introducing one-sided limited nonholonomic constraints, the reconfiguration between different modes is made possible. Additionally, applying prestress allows for extension of the linkage to a tensegrity-based mechanism.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
J. Emmanuel Ayala-Hernandez, Sebastien Briot, J. Jesus Cervantes-Sanchez
Summary: This paper presents a novel approach to design dynamically balanced mechanisms using structural topology optimization while considering the flexibility of the links. The optimization process is performed for all the bodies simultaneously, and the performance of the optimized mechanism is validated numerically and experimentally.
JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Robotics
Maxim Vochten, Wilm Decre, Erwin Aertbelien, Joris De Schutter
Summary: This paper presents an approach for on-line adaptation of end-effector trajectories for robot manipulators, aiming to preserve the original shape characteristics of the trajectories. By coupling the trajectory generator with a task specification and control framework, reactive behavior of the robot is enabled. Simulation results on the UR10 robot demonstrate the capability of the method to generalize end-effector trajectories towards new targets while preserving the original trajectory shape.
IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Zin Lin, Raphael Pestourie, Charles Roques-Carmes, Zhaoyi Li, Federico Capasso, Marin Soljacic, Steven G. Johnson
Summary: We introduce end-to-end inverse design for multi-channel imaging, which involves optimizing a nanophotonic frontend and an image-processing backend to extract depth, spectral, and polarization channels from a single monochrome image. We demonstrate that subwavelength-scale metasurface designs can easily distinguish similar wavelength and polarization inputs, unlike diffractive optics. Our proposed technique combines a single-layer metasurface frontend with an efficient Tikhonov reconstruction backend, requiring only a grayscale sensor. Through spontaneous demultiplexing, our method achieves multi-channel imaging by separating different channels into distinct spatial domains on the sensor. We present large-area metasurface designs for multi-spectral imaging, depth-spectral imaging, and all-in-one spectro-polarimetric-depth imaging, demonstrating robust reconstruction performance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shin Hur, Hyunggyu Choi, Gil Ho Yoon, Nam Woon Kim, Duck-Gyu Lee, Yong Tae Kim
Summary: In this study, a new ultrasonic transducer with improved focusing performance was designed and tested. The experimental results demonstrated that the transducer had a high ability to produce needle-like subwavelength focusing beams in water, making it potentially useful for high-resolution imaging devices or medical ultrasound focusing devices.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Lukas C. Hoghoj, Cian Conlan-Smith, Ole Sigmund, Casper Schousboe Andreasen
Summary: This paper presents a method for simultaneous optimization of the outer shape and internal topology of aircraft wings, with the objective of minimizing drag subject to lift and compliance constraints for multiple load cases. The physics are evaluated by the means of a source-doublet panel method for the aerodynamic response and linear elastic finite elements for the structural response, which are one-way coupled. Wings of small fixed-wing airplanes both with and without a stiffening strut are optimized. The resulting wings show internal topologies with struts and wall-truss combinations, depending on the design freedom of the shape optimization. The lift distributions of the optimized wings show patterns like the ones obtained when performing optimization of wing shapes with constraints on the bending moment at the root.
STRUCTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION
(2023)
Article
Automation & Control Systems
Bingxiao Ding, Jiyu Zhao, Yangmin Li
Summary: A novel constant force mechanism (CFM) based on positive and negative stiffness mechanisms is proposed for controlling contact force on workpieces during industrial deburring operations. The CFM can generate a constant force travel range without additional sensors or control algorithms. The design concepts, analytical model, FEA simulation, and experimental studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CFM for industrial applications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Optics
Marco Butz, Adrian S. Abazi, Rene Ross, Benjamin Risse, Carsten Schuck
Summary: The complexity of applications using photonic integrated circuits is increasing, requiring improved functionality, performance, and smaller footprints for individual components. Inverse design methods have shown promise in addressing these demands by enabling access to unconventional device layouts through automated design procedures. A dynamic binarization method for the objective-first algorithm is presented, demonstrating superior performance compared to previous implementations in a waveguide mode converter experiment.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Pedro G. Coelho, Bruno C. Barroca, Fabio M. Conde, Jose M. Guedes
Summary: Strength-oriented optimization of porous periodic microstructures has a significant impact on the design of load-bearing lightweight structures to avoid mechanical failure. The study shows that minimizing the peak von-Mises stress through shape or topology design changes can effectively reduce stresses in different load scenarios, demonstrating the importance of material design freedom in achieving lower peak stresses.
STRUCTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Chong Zhang, Mu-Xuan Tao, Chen Wang, Jian-Sheng Fan
Summary: This research proposes a novel model for generating structural topologies based on manually designed architectural and structural layouts. The model achieves reasonable results in node and edge generation, with high precision and recall, as well as good graph similarity.
COMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Chaitanya Dev, Gabriel Stankiewicz, Paul Steinmann
Summary: We propose a sequential topology and shape optimization framework for designing compliant mechanisms with boundary stress constraints. Our approach utilizes a density-based topology optimization method to generate the configuration of the mechanisms and a node-based shape optimization method for obtaining an exact boundary representation. Stress constraints are imposed to avoid impractical hinges with point connections, either locally on the nodes of the boundary or globally using P-norm stress constraints in the domain. Moreover, our method incorporates an adaptive shape refinement strategy to increase the design space and capture fine-scale geometry details. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in designing compliant mechanisms with stress constraints.
STRUCTURAL AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPTIMIZATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Aerospace
Xiaojun Gu, Kaike Yang, Manqiao Wu, Yahui Zhang, Jihong Zhu, Weihong Zhang
Summary: By optimizing the layout of smart actuators and the topology of wing substrate, the smart morphing wing can achieve smooth, continuous, and accurate geometric shape changes. Aerodynamic analysis was conducted to compare it with traditional hinged airfoils, and the optimized smart wing structure was constructed and tested.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF AERONAUTICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Meng Wang, Yimin Song, Binbin Lian, Panfeng Wang, Kaixuan Chen, Tao Sun
Summary: This study proposes an integrated design method for dimensional parameters and structural topology, and the results indicate that the stiffness obtained using this method is much higher than that obtained using traditional parametric design methods.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Antonella Castellano, Pietro Stano, Umberto Montanaro, Marco Cammalleri, Aldo Sorniotti
Summary: This paper proposes a new control strategy for hybrid electric vehicles, called Model Predictive Control (MPC), and considers the losses in transmission gears. Through a case study on Chevrolet Volt, the results show that the simplified internal model has a minor impact on fuel consumption performance.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Rui Peng, Gregory S. Chirikjian
Summary: This article introduces a method of designing morphable thick-panel origami structures using reconfigurable linkages, which improves the potential of origami techniques for different tasks and solves the limitations of one-DOF and multiple-DOF folding structures.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Gaohan Zhu, Weizhong Guo, Yinghui Li, Youcheng Han
Summary: Comprehensive and accurate performance evaluation is crucial for profile synthesis and analysis of higher pair mechanisms. This paper proposes evaluation indices and methods for the transmission performance of planar higher pair mechanisms from different perspectives. It subdivides the transmission performance into element-based performance and joint-based performance and develops novel indices specific to higher pair mechanisms. A graphical mapping method based on element-based performance is also proposed for intuitive analysis. Practical examples validate the effectiveness of the proposed indices and methods for evaluating the performance of higher pair mechanisms.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Ke Wu, Gang Zheng, Guimin Chen, Shorya Awtar
Summary: Researchers proposed a new modeling method, namely Body-frame Beam Constraint Model (BBCM), to predict and optimize the design of high-precision compliant mechanisms (CMs).
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Youcheng Han, Weizhong Guo, Changjie Zhao, Ziyue Li, Ze Fu, Yinghui Li
Summary: This study proposes a structural synthesis methodology that considers motion, force, and energy characteristics simultaneously to design efficient mechanisms.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Cristian Enrico Capalbo, Daniel De Gregoriis, Tommaso Tamarozzi, Giuseppe Carbone, Domenico Mundo
Summary: This study proposes a novel flexible multibody formulation that enables efficient updating of models while maintaining small size and high accuracy. Numerical validation demonstrates its wide applicability across various materials and mechanisms, showing promising results in terms of accuracy.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Weihao Zhao, Junbei Liao, Wei Qian, Haoyong Yu, Zhao Guo
Summary: This paper presents a newly designed compliant actuator using a tensile springs array to address the challenges in achieving linear and consistent elastic properties, low friction, minor hysteresis, and good compliance in series elastic actuators (SEA). The unique geometry of the spring array enables the SEA to have consistent rotary stiffness with minimal friction and hysteresis. The device's performance is evaluated using PID and sliding mode control, demonstrating its constant low rotary stiffness and torque tracking bandwidth, making it suitable for human-robot interaction requirements.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Mohui Jin, Yukang Luo, Xing Xu, Bowei Xie, Weisheng Wang, Zewei Li, Zhou Yang
Summary: This paper presents a method for evaluating the contact interaction between compliant mechanisms and external objects. By establishing a numerical model and introducing contact springs to describe the contact forces, the deformation and normal contact force/stress can be accurately calculated. The static equilibrium configuration and contact force/stress can be obtained by minimizing the total potential energy function of the system.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Alejandro G. Gallardo, Martin A. Pucheta
Summary: This paper presents a method for the synthesis of parallel flexure systems using Screw Theory and Linear Algebra. The method is validated through three case studies and offers a simple and precise design with decoupled actuators.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Xiao Wang, Chenglin Liu, Haoxiang Sun, Hanwen Song
Summary: This paper presents a new decomposition mode for robot-world calibration, which decomposes the Ad(SE(3)) equation using Chasles' motion. A two-step method based on point set matching is proposed. The superiority of this method is verified through simulations and experiments.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Yanlin Chen, Xianmin Zhang, Yanjiang Huang, Yanbin Wu, Jun Ota
Summary: This study establishes an error model for a 3-RRR+UR spherical parallel mechanism and analyzes the sensitivity of error parameters. A design structure is proposed to reduce input errors based on the analysis. Experimental results show that the multiloop circuit incremental method provides more accurate results.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Vu Linh Nguyen, Chin-Hsing Kuo, Po Ting Lin
Summary: This paper presents a method for analyzing the performance of gravity-balanced serial robotic manipulators under dynamic loads and uses a three-degree-of-freedom planar serial manipulator as a case study. The significance of this method is demonstrated by evaluating the impact of dynamic loads on gravity-balanced performance and proposing a step-by-step design procedure to improve it.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Shifeng Rong, Jiange Zhang, Xing Zhang, Keliang Li, Kaibin Rong, Zhenyu Zhou, Han Ding
Summary: This article proposes a data-driven dry cutting tool collaborative optimization model to improve the economic and environmental attributes of facehobbing hypoid gears. An innovative ease-off tooth contact analysis method is introduced to establish accurate relations between ease-off flank and loaded contact performance evaluations. The proposed model significantly improves sustainability in terms of economic and environmental assessments.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Kemal Eren, Soley Ersoy, Ettore Pennestri
Summary: This research investigates the instantaneous kinematics of the terminal link of a planar two-link open chain using the complex-number technique and higher-order instantaneous invariants.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Bo Han, Zhantu Yuan, Jiachuan Zhang, Yundou Xu, Jiantao Yao, Yongsheng Zhao
Summary: This paper proposes novel deployable mechanism units with self-limiting position function, and constructs ring truss deployable mechanisms. The degrees of freedom (DOF) of deployable units are analyzed and it is proved that the constructed ring truss deployable mechanisms have only one DOF. The dynamic model of the deployable mechanism unit with passive actuation is established and verified by simulation. The deployable mechanism units proposed in this paper have the advantages of good scalability and stability, and have broad application prospects.
MECHANISM AND MACHINE THEORY
(2024)
