Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an apparatus for surface strengthening and/or smoothing of an integrally bladed rotor area of a jet engine. The rotor area can be connected to a device and held by the latter inside the container in a position equivalent to an at least approximately horizontal orientation of a rotary axis of the rotor area. A space delimited by the container and the rotor area between a surface of the rotor area and that surface of the container facing the rotor area is filled at least partially with strengthening and/or smoothing elements. A relative movement is generated between the surface of the rotor area and the strengthening and/or smoothing elements. The surface region of the rotor area to be strengthened and/or smoothed is at a distance from the surface of the container facing the rotor area.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an apparatus (12) for surface strengthening and/or smoothing of an integrally bladed rotor area (9) of a jet engine. The rotor area (9) can be connected to a device (13) and held by the latter inside the container (14) in a position equivalent to an at least approximately horizontal orientation of a rotary axis (15) of the rotor area (9). A space delimited by the container (14) and the rotor area (9) between a surface (17) of the rotor area (9) and that surface (18) of the container (14) facing the rotor area (9) is filled at least partially with strengthening and/or smoothing elements (19). A relative movement is generated between the surface (17) of the rotor area (9) and the strengthening and/or smoothing elements (19). The surface region (17) of the rotor area (9) to be strengthened and/or smoothed is at a distance from the surface (18) of the container (14) facing the rotor area (9).

Abstract: With a method for surface strengthening and smoothening of metallic components, in particular of rotors or rotor drums (7) with integral blading for aircraft engines, the components are loaded in a vessel (2) which is filled with strengthening elements (10). A tumbling movement is performed by which the metallic components are strengthened and smoothened by a relative movement between the workpiece surface and the strengthening elements in one process step. The strengthening elements (10) have a circumferential, rounded edge area, or compressive strengthening area (13) for strengthening the surface, and, extending therefrom on both sides, a flatly curved smoothening area (14) for smoothening the surface roughened by strengthening. With low time and apparatus investment, workpieces can be provided that feature high fatigue strength and advantageous aerodynamic properties.