Background of Robotic Sanding & Finishing
This is follow-on funding provided to a previously awarded ARM Institute sanding and finishing project. Phase two of this project will build on the first funded project’s foundation while adding considerations for robustness, improved performance, flexibility, and ease-of-operation for multiple products with complex geometries, larger dimensions, and a variety of materials for robotic sanding. Phase two will culminate in demonstrations that highlight the system’s ability to adapt to a range of part geometries, sizes, and materials. Essentially, phase 2 of the robotic sanding project is about expanding the project’s viability, durability, and adaptability.
Objective of Robotic Sanding & Finishing
The follow-on award for this project will enable enhancements to the foundation set by phase one of the project, specifically targeting applications for parts used on helicopters and spacecrafts. Phase one focused on developing a prototype robotic sanding and finishing system for sanding segments of helicopter blades. Phase two will focus in on adding considerations for robustness, improved performance, flexibility, and ease-of-operation.
Technical Approach to Robotic Sanding & Finishing
Robotic sanding and finishing project outputs included:
- Expanded work cell to accommodate larger and more complex parts
- Updated algorithms and methods to generate trajectory plans accounting for additional complexities
- Updated robotic control algorithms to account for robustness and repeatability
- Implemented method for position sensing and surface quality inspection
- Implemented human-robot interface
Participants in the Robotic Sanding & Finishing Project
Lockheed Martin (Principal Investigator), University of Southern California, Texas A&M University