Automatic Peener For Processing Airbus Parts

Finishing, August, 2001

Aerospace surface preparation and treatment specialist, USF Vacu-Blast International - part of the USF Surface Preparation Group - has installed an automatic shot peening machine at the new state-of-the-art assembly and fabrication facility of SPS Aerostructures in Annesley.

The custom-engineered machine operates to the highest quality standards, and was designed to enhance the fatigue performance of various structural components for the BAe Systems' Airbus programme but can also be used for processing parts for other aircraft. Typically, the parts peened measure up to 2030mm long x 760mm wide x 100mm deep, although the machine can accept components as long as 3050mm.

The programmable machine uses steel shot and operates on a pass-through basis with parts located in fixtures on a powered work trolley to streamline throughput and facilitate handling. The processing enclosure has been designed to minimise noise levels and features an array of eight peening nozzles, attached to a two axis roof-mounted manipulator. The nozzles are on universally adjustable mounts so that optimum nozzle positions can be set. Individual peening programs are selected according to component type, with all processing parameters variable to suit the particular component topography and peening intensity required.

The machine has been designed to undertake the multiple-pass peening of complex parts, as well as the processing of a part with two different sizes of shot at different peening intensities, depending on material thickness.