Optimizing Shot Peening Machines for Compact Components

Abstract

Optimizing shot peening is a cold-working process employed to generate a compressive residual stress layer and modify the mechanical properties of metals. It involves impacting a surface with a shot with sufficient force to induce plastic deformation. Peening a surface spread it plastically, leading to alterations in its mechanical properties. Its primary application is to prevent the propagation of microcracks from the surface. Such cracks do not propagate in a material that is under compressive stress. Optimizing shot peening can induce such stress on the surface. In this process, shots are accelerated using centrifugal force generated by a rotating impeller, which directs the shots to impact the surface to be peened. Media choices include spherical cast steel shots, ceramic beads, or conditioned cut wire. Peening necessitates well-graded shots with consistent hardness, diameter, and shape, and a mechanism for removing optimized shot fragments throughout the process is desirable.