Title: Application of genetic algorithms for the optimisation of actuator systems for laser micro adjustment

Authors: Raoul Plettke, Hinnerk Hagenah, Manfred Geiger

Addresses: Chair of Manufacturing Technology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstrasse 13, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany. ' Chair of Manufacturing Technology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstrasse 13, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany. ' Chair of Manufacturing Technology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Egerlandstrasse 13, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany

Abstract: Laser adjustment with sheet metal actuator systems is a promising method for high precision micro system manufacturing but is hampered by the amount of time and expertise needed for the design of actuator systems. The design process could be speed up by a computer assisted design system. This requires the simulation of the adjustment capability of an actuator system which can be done for simple actuator systems using inverse kinematics. Actuator systems which are fixed at multiple points to the assembly require the simulation to weigh in additional factors including elastic forming. Since most realised actuator system designs fall in this category it is imperative for a computer assisted design system to cover it. This article presents an approach to use a genetic algorithm to assess and optimise the adjustment capability of an actuator system fixed on multiple points, simplify its design and optimise the robustness of the adjustment capabilities.

Keywords: laser adjustment; actuator design; multi-objective optimisation; genetic algorithms; GAs; inverse kinematics; elastic forming; computer aided design; CAD.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2009.031595

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2009 Vol.4 No.5/6, pp.615 - 625

Published online: 12 Feb 2010 *

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