A case-based approach to planar linkage design

We describe a method to store and retrieve design cases of four-bar linkages. The method abstracts relevant features from the planar curve that characterizes each linkage design, and records these features at several levels of abstraction. This allows use of a fast multi-level retrieval procedure, that successively eliminates inappropriate cases at each level. The retrieval incorporates tolerance measures and allows for incomplete problem specifications. Adaptation methods are then used to transform the cases retrieved to match the new design problem. Results of experimental studies to evaluate the efficacy of our method are presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.