Supercomputers in mechanical systems research

The state of the art in supercomputers is examined vis a vis mechanical systems research. A list of 40 Class VI supercomputers is given, with sites, purposes and computer type specified; purposes include weapons research, reactor research, military, atmospheric science, aerodynamics, oceanography, engineering research, geophysics, petroleum engineering, and jet engine simulation. The availability of such machines has motivated scientists and engineers to explore and formulate new research problems previously considered completely intractable. Six problems in the area of robot mechanisms, suitable for research with supercomputers, are examined: generalized Burmester theory in space, analysis and synthesis of a general 6-R, dimensional synthesis of mechanisms, generation of new design concepts, kineto-elasto dynamic synthesis of mechanical systems, and dynamic response analysis of mechanical systems with emphasis on design.