M. Verschuure, Counterweight balancing of mechanisms using convex optimization techniques, 2009

Abstract

High-speed mechanisms are often used in modern machinery. In combustion engines, for instance, a crank-slider mechanism transforms the reciprocating motion of the pistons into the rotation of the crankshaft. In other high-speed machinery such as weaving machines, packaging machines and presses high-speed mechanisms are essential. A moving mechanism can result in undesired vibrations of the machine and its surroundings, such as the factory floor and neighboring buildings. One strategy to suppress these vibrations is by adding counterweights to the mechanism.

Determining the optimal shape, position, mass, etc. of the counterweights constitutes an optimization problem. Previous research at the K.U.Leuven, proved that it is possible to formulate the problem as a so-called "convex" optimization problem which has interesting numerical properties.

Based on these concepts, this research develops an industrially applicable methodology to design counterweights for complex planar and spatial mechanisms. A procedure was developed to quantify the effect of several design parameters and help designers make a sensible choice.

Order Code

Code: 09D02