An improved algorithm for the construction of generalized kinematic chains

•An improved approach is proposed to construct generalized kinematic chains.•Proposed two algorithms for checking cut-links and nonplanar chains•Provides mechanism designers the data bank for generating all possible designs

Generating generalized kinematic chains is one of the most important steps in the conceptual design or structural synthesis of mechanisms. An improved method for the systematic construction of generalized kinematic chains (including both kinematic chains and rigid chains) is presented based on two algorithms, namely the cut-links checking algorithm and Kuratowski (nonplanar) graph checking algorithm. Examples are provided to illustrate the algorithms. The atlases of generalized kinematic chains comprising up to sixteen links are listed.