Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms

Cam follower mechanisms are widely used in automated manufacturing machinery to transform a rotary stationary motion into a more general required movement. Reverse engineering of cams has been studied, and some solutions based on different approaches have been identified in the literature. This arti...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Monica Tiboni, Cinzia Amici, Roberto Bussola
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Electronics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/10/24/3073
_version_ 1797505184745652224
author Monica Tiboni
Cinzia Amici
Roberto Bussola
author_facet Monica Tiboni
Cinzia Amici
Roberto Bussola
author_sort Monica Tiboni
collection DOAJ
description Cam follower mechanisms are widely used in automated manufacturing machinery to transform a rotary stationary motion into a more general required movement. Reverse engineering of cams has been studied, and some solutions based on different approaches have been identified in the literature. This article proposes an innovative method based on the use of an evolutionary algorithm for the identification of a law of motion that allows for approximating in the best way the motion or the sampled profile on the physical device. Starting from the acquired data, through a genetic algorithm, a representation of the movement (and therefore of the cam profile) is identified based on a type of motion law traditionally used for this purpose, i.e., the modified trapezoidal (better known as modified seven segments). With this method it is possible to estimate the coefficients of the parametric motion law, thus allowing the designer to further manipulate them according to the usual motion planning techniques. In a first phase, a study of the method based on simulations is carried out, considering sets of simulated experimental measures, obtained starting from different laws of motion, and verifying whether the developed genetic algorithm allows for identifying the original law or approximating one. For the computation of the objective function, the Euclidean norm and the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) algorithm are compared. The performed analysis establishes in which situations each of them is more appropriate. Implementation of the method on experimental data validates its effectiveness.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T04:14:59Z
format Article
id doaj.art-6588fbb21d77443591d64988e4f2d10e
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2079-9292
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T04:14:59Z
publishDate 2021-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Electronics
spelling doaj.art-6588fbb21d77443591d64988e4f2d10e2023-11-23T08:01:45ZengMDPI AGElectronics2079-92922021-12-011024307310.3390/electronics10243073Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary AlgorithmsMonica Tiboni0Cinzia Amici1Roberto Bussola2Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze, 38, 25123 Brescia, ItalyCam follower mechanisms are widely used in automated manufacturing machinery to transform a rotary stationary motion into a more general required movement. Reverse engineering of cams has been studied, and some solutions based on different approaches have been identified in the literature. This article proposes an innovative method based on the use of an evolutionary algorithm for the identification of a law of motion that allows for approximating in the best way the motion or the sampled profile on the physical device. Starting from the acquired data, through a genetic algorithm, a representation of the movement (and therefore of the cam profile) is identified based on a type of motion law traditionally used for this purpose, i.e., the modified trapezoidal (better known as modified seven segments). With this method it is possible to estimate the coefficients of the parametric motion law, thus allowing the designer to further manipulate them according to the usual motion planning techniques. In a first phase, a study of the method based on simulations is carried out, considering sets of simulated experimental measures, obtained starting from different laws of motion, and verifying whether the developed genetic algorithm allows for identifying the original law or approximating one. For the computation of the objective function, the Euclidean norm and the Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) algorithm are compared. The performed analysis establishes in which situations each of them is more appropriate. Implementation of the method on experimental data validates its effectiveness.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/10/24/3073evolutionary algorithmsreverse engineeringcam mechanismslaw of motiongenetic algorithms
spellingShingle Monica Tiboni
Cinzia Amici
Roberto Bussola
Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
Electronics
evolutionary algorithms
reverse engineering
cam mechanisms
law of motion
genetic algorithms
title Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
title_full Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
title_fullStr Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
title_full_unstemmed Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
title_short Cam Mechanisms Reverse Engineering Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
title_sort cam mechanisms reverse engineering based on evolutionary algorithms
topic evolutionary algorithms
reverse engineering
cam mechanisms
law of motion
genetic algorithms
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/10/24/3073
work_keys_str_mv AT monicatiboni cammechanismsreverseengineeringbasedonevolutionaryalgorithms
AT cinziaamici cammechanismsreverseengineeringbasedonevolutionaryalgorithms
AT robertobussola cammechanismsreverseengineeringbasedonevolutionaryalgorithms