Systems and methods for performing a task on a material, or locating the position of a device relative to the surface of the material

A system for controlling performance of a task on a surface of a workpiece using a working member, the system comprising:

• a rig, wherein the rig comprises a first actuator and a second actuator, the first actuator is operable to move the working member within an adjustment range relative to the rig, the second actuator is operable to move a z-position of a tip of the working member relative to the surface, and the working member is configured to cut into the workpiece if the tip extends below the surface of the workpiece;
• one or more processors;
• a first sensor operatively coupled to the one or more processors;
• one or more memories operatively coupled to the one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to:
• generate first data based at least in part upon scanning, using the first sensor, a first portion of the surface;
• determine a design path associated with the surface of the workpiece, wherein the design path is based at least in part upon a design plan;
• provide first information that causes the first actuator to move the working member to a target point on the design path, wherein second data is determined based at least in part upon scanning a second portion of the surface before generating the first data, and the first information is based at least in part upon the first data, the second data, and the design plan;
• and
• provide second information that causes the second actuator to move the tip of the working member to a first depth below the surface.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing executable instructions that facilitate performance of a task on a surface of a workpiece using a working member, wherein a rig comprises a first actuator operable to move the working member within an adjustment range relative to the rig, the rig comprises a second actuator operable to move a z-position of a tip of the working member relative to the surface, the working member is configured to cut into the workpiece if the tip extends below the surface of the workpiece, and the instructions, when executed by a computing system, cause the system to:

• generate first data based at least in part upon scanning, using a first sensor, a first portion of the surface;
• determine a design path associated with the surface of the workpiece, wherein the design path is based at least in part upon a design plan;
• provide first information that causes the first actuator to move the working member to a target point on the design path, wherein second data is determined based at least in part upon scanning a second portion of the surface before generating the first data, and the first information is based at least in part upon the first data, the second data, and the design plan;
• and
• provide second information that causes the second actuator to move the tip of the working member to a first depth below the surface.