Configuration Design of Multicomponent Mechanical Assemblies

A multicomponent mechanical system is a mechanical assembly composed of several parts that are connected through joints. To design such a system, isolating its different components and designing (optimizing) them separately and putting them back together is a common routine. However, this method may overlook the importance of considering the system as an interconnected unit to achieve optimal performance.

Designing any system, not limited to mechanical ones, can be viewed as a two-tiered optimization process. The initial stage involves determining the system's composition, including the types and quantities of components. Following this, the second stage entails specifying the characteristics of these components to ensure the system meets the desired performance standards.

Take, for example, the design of an airplane's landing gear. The objective is to select from a predefined set of basic components and joints to construct a landing gear capable of withstanding the forces at touchdown, minimizing the impact and acceleration experienced by the aircraft. This example underscores the need to treat the system holistically, considering both the individual elements and their collective performance.

Navigating the vast array of possibilities for combining components in a multi-component mechanical system presents a daunting challenge, given the infinite combinations. Exploring every option is not only time-consuming but also requires significant computational resources. To efficiently sift through this extensive design space, a targeted approach is essential. This project is dedicated to developing and refining strategies to streamline this process. Our progress, including the methodologies we've devised, is detailed in the publications listed below:

• Ebrahimi, M., Butscher, A. and Cheong, H., 2021. A low order, torsion deformable spatial beam element based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation and Bishop frame. Multibody System Dynamics, 51(3), pp. 247-278.

• Piacentini, C., Cheong, H., Ebrahimi, M. and Butscher, A., 2020, September. Multi-speed gearbox synthesis using global search and non-convex optimization. In International conference on integration of constraint programming, artificial intelligence, and operations research, pp. 381-398.

• Cheong, H., Ebrahimi, M., Butscher, A. and Iorio, F., 2019, June. Configuration design of mechanical assemblies using an estimation of distribution algorithm and constraint programming. In 2019 IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC), pp. 2339-2346.

• Ebrahimi, M., Butscher, A., Cheong, H. and Iorio, F., 2019. Design optimization of dynamic flexible multibody systems using the discrete adjoint variable method. Computers & Structures, 213, pp. 82-99.

• Cheong, H., Ebrahimi, M., Iorio, F. and Butscher, A., Autodesk Inc, 2021. Constraint-oriented programming approach to mechanical assembly design. U.S. Patent 10,885,236.

• Cheong, H., Ebrahimi, M., Iorio, F. and Butscher, A., Autodesk Inc, 2021. Techniques for applying generative design to the configuration of mechanical assemblies. U.S. Patent 10,909,288.

• Cheong, H., Ebrahimi, M. and Butscher, A., Autodesk Inc, 2022. Automatic design of mechanical assemblies using estimation of distribution algorithm. U.S. Patent 11,487,917.

• Cheong, H., Ebrahimi, M. and Butscher, A., Autodesk Inc, 2021. Techniques for visualizing probabilistic data generated when designing mechanical assemblies. U.S. Patent 11,068,135.

• Ebrahimi, M., Butscher, A., Cheong, H. and Iorio, F., Autodesk Inc, 2023. Efficient sensitivity analysis for generative parametric design of dynamic mechanical assemblies. U.S. Patent 11,620,418.

• Ebrahimi, M., Butscher, A. and Cheong, H., Autodesk Inc, 2022. Techniques for designing structures using torsion-deformable spatial beam elements. U.S. Patent Application 16/950,669.