Non-Conventional Peening Techniques

Author:  Kumar Balan, Ervin Industries, USA
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 32, Issue 1, Winter 2018
Doc ID:  2018004
Year of Publication:  2018
Abstract:  
INTRODUCTION: To quote the great Chinese teacher and philosopher Confucius, “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” As I looked around the exhibition hall at the recent Electronics Inc. (EI) shot peening workshop in Orlando, Florida, I noticed the industry landscape was changing with new technology and that meant it was time to replenish our respective databases with the developments. The EI shot peening workshops have always attracted quality manufacturers of blast cleaning and shot peening equipment along with the vendors of critical components. Over the last few years, this line-up has been further enriched by companies that shot peen using non-conventional techniques such as ultrasonics, needles, vibration and micromedia. The industry has grown familiar with the use of lasers and flapper peening to a greater extent than with these newer techniques. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to give the other techniques the importance they merit and monitor their growth leading to the overall progress of our industry.