GrayMatter Robotics Inc.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

A method for autonomously grinding a workpiece includes: accessing a virtual model defining a geometry of the workpiece; identifying a grinding region on the workpiece; and projecting a target grinding profile onto the grinding region on the workpiece. The method also includes: based a geometry of the workpiece and the target grinding profile, generating a tool path for removal of material from the grinding region to the target grinding profile; and assigning a target force to the target region. The method also includes, during a processing cycle: accessing a sequence of force values output by a force sensor coupled to a grinding head; navigating the grinding head across the grinding region according to the tool path; and, based on the sequence of force values, deviating the grinding head from the tool path to maintain forces of the grinding head on the grinding region proximal the target force.

A method includes: accessing a toolpath and processing parameters—including a target force and feed rate—assigned to a region of a workpiece; and accessing a wear model representing abrasive degradation of a sanding pad arranged on a sanding head. The method also includes, during a processing cycle: accessing force values output by a force sensor 199 coupled to the sanding head; navigating the sanding head across the workpiece region according to the toolpath and, based on the force values deviating the sanding head from the toolpath to maintain forces of the sanding head on the workpiece region proximal the target force; accessing contact characteristics representing contact between the sanding pad and the workpiece; estimating abrasive degradation of the sanding pad based on the wear model and the sequence of contact characteristics; and modifying the set of processing parameters based on the abrasive degradation.

A method includes: accessing a toolpath and processing parameters—including a target force and feed rate—assigned to a region of a workpiece; and accessing a wear model representing abrasive degradation of a sanding pad arranged on a sanding head. The method also includes, during a processing cycle: accessing force values output by a force sensor 199 coupled to the sanding head; navigating the sanding head across the workpiece region according to the toolpath and, based on the force values deviating the sanding head from the toolpath to maintain forces of the sanding head on the workpiece region proximal the target force; accessing contact characteristics representing contact between the sanding pad and the workpiece; estimating abrasive degradation of the sanding pad based on the wear model and the sequence of contact characteristics; and modifying the set of processing parameters based on the abrasive degradation.

One variation of a method for autonomously scanning and processing a part includes: accessing a part model representing a part positioned in a work zone adjacent a robotic system; retrieving a sanding head translation speed; retrieving a toolpath for execution on the part defining positions, orientations, and target forces applied by the sanding head to the part. The method includes traversing the sanding head along the toolpath, at the sanding head translation speed; reading a sequence of applied forces from a force sensor coupled to the sanding head at positions along the toolpath; and deviating from the toolpath to maintain the set of applied forces within a threshold difference of a sequence of target forces along the toolpath. In one variation of the method, the robotic system executes a toolpath at a duration less than target duration by selectively varying target force and sanding head translation speed across the part.

A method includes: compiling lower-resolution images, captured during a global scan cycle executed over a workpiece, into a virtual model; defining a nominal toolpath and a nominal target force for the workpiece based on a the virtual model; detecting a defect indicator on the workpiece based on the lower-resolution images; accessing a higher-resolution image captured during a local scan cycle over the defect indicator; characterizing the defect indicator as a defect reparable via material removal based on the higher-resolution image; defining a repair toolpath for the defect based on the virtual model; navigating a sanding head over the workpiece according to the repair toolpath to repair the defect; and, during a processing cycle: navigating the sanding head across the workpiece according to the nominal toolpath and deviating the sanding head from the nominal toolpath to maintain forces of the sanding head on the workpiece proximal the nominal target force.

A method includes: accessing a toolpath and processing parameters—including a target force and feed rate—assigned to a region of a workpiece; and accessing a wear model representing abrasive degradation of a sanding pad arranged on a sanding head. The method also includes, during a processing cycle: accessing force values output by a force sensor coupled to the sanding head; navigating the sanding head across the workpiece region according to the toolpath and, based on the force values deviating the sanding head from the toolpath to maintain forces of the sanding head on the workpiece region proximal the target force; accessing contact characteristics representing contact between the sanding pad and the workpiece; estimating abrasive degradation of the sanding pad based on the wear model and the sequence of contact characteristics; and modifying the set of processing parameters based on the abrasive degradation.

One variation of a method includes: accessing a maximum deflection distance of a workpiece; defining a first workpiece region characterized by a first compliance range; defining a second workpiece region characterized by a second compliance range greater than the first compliance range; assigning a nominal target force to the workpiece; navigating a sanding head across the first workpiece region during a processing cycle; driving the sanding head below a virtual unloaded surface of the workpiece stored in the virtual model to maintain forces, of the sanding head on the first workpiece region, approximating the nominal target force; calculating a maximum offset between the positions of the sanding head in the first workpiece region and the virtual unloaded surface; and, in response to the first maximum offset approaching the maximum deflection distance, assigning a lower target force to the second workpiece region of the workpiece.

A method includes: compiling lower-resolution images, captured during a global scan cycle executed over a workpiece, into a virtual model; defining a nominal toolpath and a nominal target force for the workpiece based on a the virtual model; detecting a defect indicator on the workpiece based on the lower-resolution images; accessing a higher-resolution image captured during a local scan cycle over the defect indicator; characterizing the defect indicator as a defect reparable via material removal based on the higher-resolution image; defining a repair toolpath for the defect based on the virtual model; navigating a sanding head over the workpiece according to the repair toolpath to repair the defect; and, during a processing cycle: navigating the sanding head across the workpiece according to the nominal toolpath and deviating the sanding head from the nominal toolpath to maintain forces of the sanding head on the workpiece proximal the nominal target force.

One variation of a method includes: accessing a maximum deflection distance of a workpiece; defining a first workpiece region characterized by a first compliance range; defining a second workpiece region characterized by a second compliance range greater than the first compliance range; assigning a nominal target force to the workpiece; navigating a sanding head across the first workpiece region during a processing cycle; driving the sanding head below a virtual unloaded surface of the workpiece stored in the virtual model to maintain forces, of the sanding head on the first workpiece region, approximating the nominal target force; calculating a maximum offset between the positions of the sanding head in the first workpiece region and the virtual unloaded surface; and, in response to the first maximum offset approaching the maximum deflection distance, assigning a lower target force to the second workpiece region of the workpiece.