Background of Automated Surface-Finishing Project
This project was funded through an ARM Institute Project Call that sought to respond to pervasive areas of need in U.S. manufacturing and, specifically, address key Department of Defense (DoD) manufacturing-focused Modernization Priorities. This and the other selected projects address issues found by the DoD and commercial community to be the most urgent and important that the ARM Institute’s ecosystem of 400+ member organizations can help solve.
The ARM Institute, a pioneer in fostering collaborative robotics and workforce innovation, plays a crucial role in advancing U.S. manufacturing. By orchestrating collaborations between industry, academia, and government, the Institute has successfully managed over 150 programs, significantly impacting manufacturing processes and technology development. These efforts not only enhance competitiveness and security but also pave the way for future advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, and this project will demonstrate that both in execution and in the impacts that it will have on U.S. manufacturing.
Objective & Technical Approach to Automated Surface-Finishing Project
Past ARM Institute projects on automated surface-finishing worked on path-planning, uniform finishing, and automated inspection. The project team will combine the outputs from these past projects to create an effective sanding and polishing technology that benefits multiple industries.
By developing and implementing advanced robotic sanding and inspection technologies for the purpose of fully automated surface-finishing, the project stands to revolutionize aspects of manufacturing, ranging from efficiency and precision to worker safety and product quality. The implications extend beyond mere technical advancements, promising a significant enhancement in production capabilities across various industries. This initiative, through its focus on practical application and commercialization readiness, illustrates how strategic technological progress can lead to substantial, tangible improvements in the U.S. manufacturing landscape, bolstering the industry’s global competitiveness and sustainability.
Participants in Automated Surface-Finishing Project
Principal Investigator: GKN Aerospace
Partners: National Institute of Aerospace Research, GrayMatter Robotics, University of Washington, EWI