  The deformed energy method has shown to be a good option for dimensional
synthesis of mechanisms. In this paper the introduction of some new features to
such approach is proposed. First, constraints fixing dimensions of certain
links are introduced in the error function of the synthesis problem. Second,
requirements on distances between determinate nodes are included in the error
function for the analysis of the deformed position problem. Both the overall
synthesis error function and the inner analysis error function are optimized
using a Sequential Quadratic Problem (SQP) approach. This also reduces the
probability of branch or circuit defects. In the case of the inner function
analytical derivatives are used, while in the synthesis optimization
approximate derivatives have been introduced. Furthermore, constraints are
analyzed under two formulations, the Euclidean distance and an alternative
approach that uses the previous raised to the power of two. The latter approach
is often used in kinematics, and simplifies the computation of derivatives.
Some examples are provided to show the convergence order of the error function
and the fulfilment of the constraints in both formulations studied under
different topological situations or achieved energy levels.
