Computational methods in mechanical systems

The chapters summarize lectures from the NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) on Computational Methods in Mechanisms, held at the Sts. Constantin and Elena Resort near Varna, Bulgaria, from June 16-28, 1997. The ASI aimed to unite leading researchers in mechanical systems, focusing on computational issues related to analysis, synthesis, and optimization through two weeks of lectures and discussions. A total of 89 participants from 23 countries actively engaged in the lectures and contributed papers, many of which are currently under review for publication in specialized journals. The book addresses mechanical systems, which consist of rigid and flexible bodies interconnected by mechanical means to achieve specific goals, often under computer control. This field has diverse applications, including transportation systems and biomedical devices. Typically, the components of a mechanical system are considered rigid during normal operations, simplifying the kinematics and dynamics analysis. Examples include the suspension systems of vehicles navigating curves at safe speeds and the links of multi-axis industrial robots executing standard pick-and-place tasks.