Design of compliant mechanisms by structural optimization using genetic algorithms.

Abstract

Gripping and moving objects are the important functions in assembly and manipulating tasks typically accomplished by robots. But these conventional mechanisms are expensive and complicated. Also, compliant manipulators are necessary if small/micro size desired. Realizing these two functions within a single compliant mechanism will be attractive and promising. The objective of this research is to formulate the design problem of designing compliant mechanisms exhibiting both gripping and moving behavior (i.e. grip-and-move manipulators), and to design these mechanisms through a process of structural optimization.