Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a barrel coil spring. The apparatus according to the invention has a rotatable head, and clamping device to attach an end of the coil spring to the rotatable head, a forming die head with at least one forming die which may be inserted between adjacent coils of the spring near the second end such that a forming die bears against an inner surface of a coil, a first rotating device to rotate the head in a first direction about an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the coil spring, and a second rotating device to rotate the forming die head in a second direction, opposite to that of the first direction, about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coil spring.

Abstract: An improved shot peening machine is of the type which includes blast wheels capable of propelling a plurality of shot generally downwardly into a critical blast region of the machine for shot peening a plurality of springs passing therethrough. The improvement includes a housing for the machine including a blast cabinet, an entrance chamber and an exit chamber. The blast cabinet generally defines the critical blast region. Horizontally extending spinner rolls for the springs extend through the blast cabinet and terminate at a first end at a first edge of the critical blast region within the entrance chamber and a second end at a second edge of the critical blast region within the exit chamber. The springs are conveyed along a peening path on the spinner rolls from the first end to the second end thereof. A feeding system feeds the springs from an exterior of the housing into the entrance chamber to supply the springs to the first end of the spinner rolls.

Abstract: A conveyor system is for a shot peening machine of the type which includes blast wheels which are capable of propelling shot generally downwardly into a critical blast region for shot peening a plurality of springs passing therethrough. The springs are supported on horizontally extending spinner rolls within the critical blast region to be capable of being conveyed along a horizontal peening path therethrough. The conveyor system includes a plurality of finger elements extending horizontally into the critical blast region above the spinner rolls and transversely of the peening path. Each finger element includes a first end for making contact with one of the springs and a second end which is secured to and supported by a continuous chain located remotely of the critical blast region. The finger elements are mounted on the chain a predetermined distance apart to be capable of receiving a single spring therebetween.

Abstract: A separating and feeding system for a shot peening machine is of the type which includes blast wheels mounted on a housing of the machine and capable of propelling a plurality of shot generally downwardly into a critical blast region within the housing for shot peening a plurality of springs passing therethrough. The springs are supported on and separately conveyed along a pair of spaced spinner rolls along a peening path into one side of and through the critical blast region. The separating and feeding system includes an entrance chamber within the housing adjacent the one side of the critical blast region. An elongated horizontally extending chain is mounted relative to the housing for continuous movement from a first end exterior of the housing through an opening in a wall of the housing to a second end within the entrance chamber at the one side of the critical blast region.

Abstract: A leaf spring stress peening apparatus is composed of a first conveyor capable of transporting a plurality of leaf springs in an unstressed position. A second endless conveyor is provided to transport a plurality of leaf spring deflecting elements. The first and second conveyors are positioned so that the leaf springs on the first conveyor are deflected by the elements on the second conveyor in a shot peening area. A blast wheel is located in the shot peening area and is positioned to concentrate shot peening material on the side of the deflected spring which is in tension. The deflecting elements disengage the spring as it leaves the shot peening area.