Abstract: A shot peening intensity measurement device has a holder and a test disk formed from a resonant and hardened material. The test disk is held to the holder with a cover that threads onto the holder and clamps the test disk. The holder and test disk form a chamber where a portion of the test disk is unsupported. A measurement device, such as a microphone or other non-contacting device detects vibrations from the test disk when shot or media contacts the test disk.

Abstract: A curvature retaining device (1) includes two support points (25a) that can abut against one surface of a plate-shaped workpiece W, one or more pressing points (40a) that can abut against a position of the other surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) between the support points (25a), and forward/backward drive means (support unit (23) and pressing unit (33)) for moving at least either the support points (25a) or the pressing points (40a) forward to and backward from the other. Preferably, the two support points (25a) abut against the one surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) at a first distance (Ls), the two pressing points (40a) abut against the other surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) at second distance (Lp) shorter than the first distance (Ls), and a middle point of the first distance (Ls) and a middle point of the second distance (Lp) match with each other.

Abstract: A method for setting a shot-peening process condition includes a step of obtaining, for each of a plurality of peening conditions for a first combination as a combination of a shot peening processing apparatus and media, a saturation time based on a saturation curve indicating a change in an arc height value of an Almen strip against a projection time. The method includes a step of determining a first optimum peening condition corresponding to the first combination based on the saturation time.

Abstract: A method for measuring a metal surface treatment of a metal component includes creating a solid model of the metal component, identifying surface locations on the metal component at which a set of structural properties is specified by design, and identifying a simulated location on the solid model corresponding to the identified surface location on the metal component. The method includes preparing a simulation fixture plan for fabricating a simulation fixture having an element for supporting a test strip holder thereon at the identified simulated location, and then fabricating the simulation fixture. A test strip holder is positioned at the identified simulated location on the simulation fixture, and a test strip is positioned in the test strip holder. The simulation fixture is subjected to the metal surface treatment wherein the simulation fixture has the test strip holder positioned thereon and the test strip holder has the test strip positioned thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring variations in the flatness of an Almen strip holding surface includes a gaging block having opposing parallel surfaces defining an aperture extending between said parallel surfaces and substantially conforming to the size of the holding surface. A plunger is mounted in a cross member which extends across the aperture and is moved along opposite sides thereof. A dial indicator responds to displacement of the aperture to permit detection of any variation in flatness as the plunger is moved over the holding surface and along and between the side and end edges thereof. Placement of the Almen strip holding screws is verified to be in tolerance by the gaging block in that the gaging block cannot be mounted on the holding surface if the distance between the openings is out of tolerance.

Abstract: A method for measuring a metal surface treatment of a metal component includes creating a solid model of the metal component, identifying surface locations on the metal component at which a set of structural properties is specified by design, and identifying a simulated location on the solid model corresponding to the identified surface location on the metal component. The method includes preparing a simulation fixture plan for fabricating a simulation fixture having an element for supporting a test strip holder thereon at the identified simulated location, and then fabricating the simulation fixture. A test strip holder is positioned at the identified simulated location on the simulation fixture, and a test strip is positioned in the test strip holder. The simulation fixture is subjected to the metal surface treatment wherein the simulation fixture has the test strip holder positioned thereon and the test strip holder has the test strip positioned thereon.

Abstract: A gage for measuring deflection of a “mini-strip” used to determine peening intensity in small cavities and crevices of a work piece includes a pair of platforms made of a magnetic material spaced apart in a non-magnetic fixture a distance substantially the same as the length of the mini-strip. The platforms have a diameter slightly larger than the width of the mini-strip to provide support for both corners on each end of the mini-strip. A magnet for each of the platforms may be advanced toward and retracted from the platform to adjust the degree of magnetic attraction of the mini-strip. The platforms are stepped to define a shoulder and posts are offset from one of the platforms which cooperate to guide the user in proper placement of the strip. A plunger extended from the indicator engages the strip at substantially its midpoint, to thereby measure the deflection of the strip to give an indication of peening intensity.

Abstract: Determining shot peening intensity by affixing a Almen test strip to a shot peening surface, removing the peened strip from the shot peening surface, measuring an arc height of the shot peened strip, and determining peening intensity on the surface from the measured arc height. The strip may be affixed with an adhesive such as rubber cement and may be a sub-size strip cut from a full size Almen strip. The arc heights of the sub-size strip may be correlated to arc heights of the standard strips. A sub-size strip may be affixed to and a full size standard strip may be mounted on a peening surface of a block and be simultaneously shot peened. Arc heights may be measured on a gage having support means for holding both strips.

Abstract: Determining shot peening intensity by affixing a Almen test strip to a shot peening surface, removing the peened strip from the shot peening surface, measuring an arc height of the shot peened strip, and determining peening intensity on the surface from the measured arc height. The strip may be affixed with an adhesive such as rubber cement and may be a sub-size strip cut from a full size Almen strip. The arc heights of the sub-size strip may be correlated to arc heights of the standard strips. A sub-size strip may be affixed to and a full size standard strip may be mounted on a peening surface of a block and be simultaneously shot peened. Arc heights may be measured on a gage having support means for holding both strips.

Abstract: A shot peening operation is developed utilizing a test strip and test strip holder. The test strip holder has an internal cavity, and the test strip lies over that cavity. Parameters of a shot peening operation can be developed utilizing the test strip, and those parameters will be acceptable for use with a part having internal cavities.

Abstract: A small particle impingement comparator for surface finishes in excess of 1000 micro-inches standardizes the evaluation of such surface finishes within a turbine steam path. The small particle impingement comparator includes a plurality of sample cells arranged side-by-side in ascending order of roughness from 1190 micro-inches to 6950 micro-inches. With this comparator, users can compare the steam path component surface roughness with the roughness of the plurality of sample cells using a visual and tactile feel comparison.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for detecting the intensity of shot peening by detecting at least one of the number of shot that have collided with the apparatus and the intensity of the colliding shot, comprising a box-like case having an opening at its top; a first resilient member disposed under the top of the case; a hollow supporting member resiliently supported in the case between the first resilient member and a second resilient member which is mounted in the case, the hollow supporting member including a third resilient member mounted therein; a shot collision propagating member supported by the hollow supporting member to close the opening of the top of the box-like case by way of the first resilient member, the shot collision propagating member producing and propagating an elastic wave when colliding with a shot; a transducer, for receiving the propagating elastic wave from the shot collision propagating member and converting the elastic wave to high frequency signals, disposed in the hollow supporting member

Abstract: A method for quality control monitoring of laser shock peening a surface of a production workpiece during which laser beam pulses form a plurality of corresponding plasmas. An acoustic signal of each laser beam pulse during a period of time during a duration of each corresponding one of the plasmas is monitored and an acoustic energy parameter value for each of the acoustic signals for each of the corresponding laser pulses is calculated. A statistical function value of the workpiece based on the acoustic energy parameter values is calculated and compared to a pass or fail criteria for accepting or rejecting the workpiece. The criteria may be based on a pre-determined correlation of test piece statistical function data such as high cycle fatigue failure data of test pieces. The statistical function value may be an average of the acoustic energy parameter values of the laser beam pulses.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the strength of a pressure pulse created from a laser peening device. The apparatus is reusable, and includes a pressure-sensitive medium, a back-up disk, and a cap, all disposed within a housing having a removable lid. All components of the apparatus are replaceable, thereby allowing an operator to utilize the apparatus more than once despite the harsh environment of laser peening.

Abstract: A holder for mounting a test strip for measuring the intensity of shot peening in internal cavities includes a receptacle receiving any of multiple inserts configured to form a segment of an internal cavity of a component to be peened. The test strip defines the remainder of the cavity. The shot stream to be measured is introduce into the cavity, after which the test strip is removed and measured in the conventional manner. Accordingly, the intensity of peening in internal cavities may be measured with relative accuracy. By providing multiple inserts, intensity of peening in cavities of varying sizes may be measured by simply changing the insert.

Abstract: A method for quality control testing of a laser shock peening process of a production workpiece includes (a) ultrasonically scanning at least a portion of a laser shock peened surface on the workpiece wherein a region having deep compressive residual stresses imparted by the laser shock peening process extends into the workpiece from the laser shock peened surface, (b) digitizing a signal derived from the scanning and forming a digitized image of intensity values from the scanning, (c) calculating at least one statistical function value for a plurality of points of the digitized image of the workpiece based on the intensity values, and (d) comparing the statistical function value to a pass or fail criteria for quality assurance of the laser shock peening process or accepting or rejecting the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the strength of a pressure pulse created from a laser peening device. The apparatus is reusable, and includes a pressure-sensitive medium, a back-up disk, and a cap, all disposed within a housing having a removable lid. All components of the apparatus are replaceable, thereby allowing an operator to utilize the apparatus more than once despite the harsh environment of laser peening.