The representation and handling of constraints for the design, analysis, and optimization of high speed machinery

High speed machinery has played and continues to play a vital role in the manufacture and production of consumer goods. In the design of high speed systems there are two key considerations: power transmission and motion control. Although there is considerable computer-based support for the design of systems to achieve requirements of power transmission, there is only limited support for the design of systems to deliver complex motion control. This is particularly the case where mechanism and linkage systems are considered in order to achieve large displacements and intricate paths involving reentrant and reciprocating components. One explanation for this relative lack of supportive tools is the underlying reasoning and analysis techniques implemented within many commercial and research software environments. To overcome these limitations a constraint-based approach has been employed to provide the fundamental elements of a design environment for mechanisms and machine systems. The design environment provides support for the transition from concept to embodiment stages of the design process and the subsequent stages of detailed design and optimization. In contrast to many research approaches the design environment presented in this paper has been created and developed through close collaboration with industry and through extensive application to real design scenarios. First, the underlying representations and methods are presented. The fundamental elements of the design environment are then described and its capabilities discussed with particular reference to the use of constraints in design.