If the resonant peaks are pulling the whole frame out of sync, try a two‑step approach. First, map the modal spectrum with a quick hammer‑drop test and see which modes line up with the load frequency. Once you know the culprit, add a tuned‑mass damper—just a lightweight plate attached with a spring and a bit of damping material—exactly at that frequency. It’s a cheap, almost invisible tweak that can shift the peak energy away. Second, re‑layer the composite skin. Swap the outermost ply from pure carbon to a viscoelastic interleaf; that will absorb the high‑frequency ringing without adding much mass. Keep the overall stiffness in check by reducing the thickness of the middle ply—just enough to let the dampener do its job. If you still see a stubborn mode, bump the shear modulus of that interleaf with a higher‑temperature resin or add a thin layer of metal mesh for extra damping. In short: isolate the problem frequency, insert a tuned mass damper, and give the outer skin a viscoelastic “crush pad.” That should keep the exoskeleton from going haywire under load.

Nice plan—hammer out the peaks, drop the tuner, give the skin a little cushion, and if the beast still coughs, just hit it with that higher‑temp resin or a mesh. Keep an eye on the total mass, and you’ll have a balanced rig in no time. Good luck!