S&A—Expert system for planar mechanisms design

In accordance with a presented classification of the types design procedures, a short overview has been provided, of the latest software for the design of mechanisms. The present overview shows that the theoretical basis for developing every design system leads to the construction of a formal mathematical model of a set of mechanism structures with a greater or smaller degree of generalization. The high degree of generalization leads to high ‘competency’ of the design systems. The theoretical basis of the expert system S&A is grounded on the interpretation of the system approach to both the design of the system itself and to the modeling of the objects designed. The system approach allows an ascending design of the functional mathematical model of the mechanism class. An example illustrates the work and possibilities of S&A version 1.197 for the design of planar link mechanisms of II class (according to the classification of Assur-Artobolevskii).