This paper aims to study the optimal synthesis of an adjustable six-bar mechanism
to generate a closed path that passes through target points. The proposed mechanism
has been designed by the inspiration of two common linkages, crank-rocker and
slider-crank mechanisms. In this research, an analytical approach is utilized to
evaluate the position of members of the adjustable six-bar mechanism, and
dimensional synthesis is carried out using a cuckoo optimization algorithm (COA).
First, a comparison between the path generated by dimensional optimization of
the primary four-bar linkage and the obtained results from works of the
literature demonstrated the superior performance of COA. Afterward, having
the optimal dimensions of the primary four-bar linkage, the other design
variables of the adjustable six-bar linkage are achieved by reoptimizing the
mechanism. The results indicate that a more accurate generated path could be
obtained for the adjustable six-bar mechanism compared with the four-bar
linkage.
