Cosimulation environment for mechanical design optimization with evolutionary algorithms

In this paper, we present a cosimulation environment that seamlessly integrates design and simulation tools used for mechanical parts design and optimization. The proposed environment enables use of tools from different vendors in addition to the developer´s own developed tools. This way, the individual parts or components of the mechanical assembly no longer need to be designed, simulated, and optimized apart from each other. Furthermore, integrated cosimulation facilitates developing the integration methodology for the design, test and parameter optimization of these components. Within the presented environment, an evolutionary optimization method is applied to a novel four bar steering mechanism. It is used to evolve its morphology that requires minimal steering forces. A precise cosimulation is used to dynamically model the assembly, all constraints, and to evaluate each morphology by analyzing the required forces for accomplishing a desired steering maneuver.