Abstract: Described herein is a robotic laser ablation system that comprises a robot and processing circuitry. The robot has an end effector with laser componentry and a camera mounted thereto. Processing circuitry is configured, in response to stored instructions, to perform operations including: receiving the input image of a workpiece from the camera; segmenting the input image to produce an image segment that depicts at least a portion of the workpiece; applying a surface-fitting algorithm to generate a polynomial surface that is fit to the surface in the image segment; computing a set of surface normal vectors across the polynomial surface to generate a set of waypoints offset from the polynomial surface by an offset length; programmatically generating a motion path linking a plurality of the waypoints; and performing laser ablation of the surface of the portion of the workpiece based on the motion path.

Abstract: A method and a handling system for imparting a desired longitudinal conformation into a longitudinal component are presented. The handling system comprises a rigid frame and a plurality of handling headers movably connected to the rigid frame. The plurality of handling headers is configured to grip a longitudinal component, lift the longitudinal component, and cooperatively move to impart the desired longitudinal conformation into the longitudinal component.