Mechanism of surface modification using machine hammer peening technology

The process of machine hammer peening is based on an actuator, which moves an axially guided hard metal ball with an oscillating movement to a workpiece surface. This actuator could be attached to any kind of machine tool, even to a robot. Because of the well-directed impacts on the surface it is possible to structure and modify the material and its surface in various ways. The main positive effects of machine hammer peening are the induction of compressive residual stresses, the hardness increase of the upper surface layer and a reduction of surface roughness up to mirror-like surfaces.