Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for designing a four-bar linkage mechanism. The technique includes receiving an input coupler curve that defines motion within a plane with respect to a point that is to be included on the four-bar linkage mechanism; generating a set of sample points, wherein each point in the set of sample points corresponds to a different location on the input coupler curve; and implementing a global optimization solver to generate a first design for the four-bar linkage mechanism. The first design includes at least one value for each geometric variable included in a set of geometric variables associated with the four-bar linkage, where at least one of the geometric variables is based on one of the sample points. The first design generates an output coupler curve that approximates the input coupler curve.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for designing a four-bar linkage mechanism. The technique includes receiving an input coupler curve that defines motion within a plane with respect to a point that is to be included on the four-bar linkage mechanism; generating a set of sample points, wherein each point in the set of sample points corresponds to a different location on the input coupler curve; and implementing a global optimization solver to generate a first design for the four-bar linkage mechanism. The first design includes at least one value for each geometric variable included in a set of geometric variables associated with the four-bar linkage, where at least one of the geometric variables is based on one of the sample points. The first design generates an output coupler curve that approximates the input coupler curve.