KINEMATIC STRUCTURAL SYNTHESIS OF MECHANISMS USING KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS

This paper presents a knowledge-based systems approach to the automati on of the conceptual synthesis of mechanisms. The system utilizes a pr ocedure for synthesizing design alternatives based on the principle of separation of structure from function. This principle in turn resolve s the problem of knowledge representation of design alternatives throu gh the use of graph structures which are then evaluated using a set of heuristic rules. The expert system presented in this paper has been i mplemented and tested for the conceptual synthesis of variable-stroke engines and robot-hands kinematic structures. The system has shown the capability of producing numerous design alternatives for these two ap plications, and has provided consistent results based on the evaluatio n rules. It has also provided the designer with immediate feedback on the viability of any given design alternative and the reasons behind t hat decision.