Title: Multi-objective design optimisation of four-bar mechanisms using a hybrid ICA-GA algorithm

Authors: Nejlaoui Mohamed; Najlawi Bilel; Affi Zouhaier; Romdhane Lotfi

Addresses: Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering, National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue IBN Eljazzar, Monastir 5000, Tunisia ' Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering, National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue IBN Eljazzar, Monastir 5000, Tunisia ' Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering, National Engineering School of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue IBN Eljazzar, Monastir 5000, Tunisia ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, University City, P.O. Box 26666, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Abstract: This work presents a novel approach to the multi-objective optimal design of four-bar mechanisms. Three conflicting objective functions are considered simultaneously, i.e., the tracking error (TE), the transmission angle deviation from 90° (TA) and the maximum angular velocity ratio (MAVR). To improve the convergence and the diversity of the results, an imperialist competitive algorithm is coupled with a genetic algorithm (ICA-GA) and it is used to solve this problem. A comparative study of the proposed ICA-GA shows that this method yields better results and more diverse results than other methods.

Keywords: design mechanism; ICA-GA; hybrid algorithm; imperialist competitive algorithm; genetic algorithm.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRIS.2017.086139

International Journal of Reasoning-based Intelligent Systems, 2017 Vol.9 No.1, pp.43 - 51

Received: 08 Mar 2016
Accepted: 24 Nov 2016
Published online: 27 Aug 2017 *

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