Abstract: A system for finishing a surface of a workpiece. The system includes a laser unit configured to emit a laser radiation. The system further includes an attenuator disposed within the laser unit and configured to adjust optical parameters of the laser radiation. The system further includes a cavitation chamber storing a liquid medium. The workpiece is mounted within the cavitation chamber and is in contact with the liquid medium. The system further includes at least one lens configured to focus at least a portion of the laser radiation and transmit at least one laser beam towards the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for modifying the mechanical and surface properties of a component. The method involves: removably attaching a component to at least one component support that is located within a vibratory trough of a component treatment apparatus, the at least one component support being a support shaft upon which the component is removably mountable within the vibratory trough; supplying the vibratory trough with treatment media; moving the component support or the vibratory trough so that the component is immersed into the treatment media; vibrating the vibratory trough to provide a substantially uniform surface treatment of the component, the vibratory trough being movable by at least one trough vibrating mechanism whose actuation is controlled by a controller in response to signals received from at least one sensor located on or within the vibratory trough; removing the component from the treatment media; and detaching the component from the component support.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating a metal article which tapers towards an edge. A compressive force is applied to a treatment region of the article to generate an edge region of compressive residual stress adjacent the edge, and the treatment region is spaced apart from the edge region by an intermediate region.