Softlink: A Matlab/Simulink Based Code For The Analysis, Synthesis, Optimization, And Simulation Of Mechanisms

This paper presents version 1.2 of SoftLink, a software package based on Simulink and Matlab for the synthesis and analysis of linkage mechanisms. The purpose of the package is to provide teachers/students with a userfriendly, easy to use tool to facilitate teaching/learning of analysis and synthesis of mechanisms using the familiar programming platform provided by Matlab/Simulink. SoftLink is organized and structured to facilitate future additions and enhancements. The current version of SoftLink provides for the analysis, synthesis, optimization, and simulation of 4R mechanisms. Precision point synthesis methods and optimum synthesis techniques are coded to yield a mechanism for a specific task. The code is designed such that kinematic and dynamic analysis and synthesis of other linkage mechanisms, gear drives, and cam-follower mechanisms may be easily included in future versions. The basic structure of SoftLink is described in detail and two application examples on 4R synthesis are presented to demonstrate its usefulness.