An apparatus for forming a metal workpiece having a first surface is described herein. The apparatus includes a trough containing a liquid. The apparatus also includes a support for positioning the metal workpiece in an impact-receiving position. In the impact-receiving position, the first surface is submerged in the liquid. The apparatus includes a driven member for applying multiple impacts to the first surface of the metal workpiece while the metal workpiece is in the impact-receiving position.

Dual sided shot peening system includes pressurized air supply in communication with independently controllable first and second air pressure regulators in communication with first and second shot supplies and independently controlled first and second shot flow control valves disposed between first and second nozzles and the shot supplies. Computer may be in control of regulators and valves. Nozzle supports may fixedly or movably support nozzles during shot peening. The system may be used for simultaneously shot peening first and second sides of a portion of a workpiece such as airfoils of a BLISK. First and second streams from first and second nozzles may have different properties and may be varied during shot peening.

Dual sided shot peening system includes pressurized air supply in communication with independently controllable first and second air pressure regulators in communication with first and second shot supplies and independently controlled first and second shot flow control valves disposed between first and second nozzles and the shot supplies. Computer may be in control of regulators and valves. Nozzle supports may fixedly or movably support nozzles during shot peening. The system may be used for simultaneously shot peening first and second sides of a portion of a workpiece such as airfoils of a BLISK. First and second streams from first and second nozzles may have different properties and may be varied during shot peening.

A method of producing a measuring tape may include providing a cupped blade with substantially uniform cupping over a longitudinal length of the cupped blade, applying a stress relief operation to a selected portion of only a convex side of the cupped blade to increase curvature of the cupped blade in the selected portion of the cupped blade where the stress relief operation includes bead blasting the selected portion via a dual nozzle shot peening assembly to define a combined bead blast area that is substantially centered with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the blade, and operably coupling the cupped blade to a reel assembly and providing the cupped blade and reel assembly within a housing to define the measuring tape device.

A method of producing a measuring tape may include providing a cupped blade with substantially uniform cupping over a longitudinal length of the cupped blade, applying a stress relief operation to a selected portion of only a convex side of the cupped blade to increase curvature of the cupped blade in the selected portion of the cupped blade where the stress relief operation includes bead blasting the selected portion via a dual nozzle shot peening assembly to define a combined bead blast area that is substantially centered with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the blade, and operably coupling the cupped blade to a reel assembly and providing the cupped blade and reel assembly within a housing to define the measuring tape device.

Described herein are systems and methods for performing a surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) to the surface of a variety of materials including thin films, nanomaterials, and other delicate and brittle materials. In an aspect, a surface of a material is modified to a modified surface and from an original state to a modified state, wherein the modified state comprises a physical modification, a chemical modification, or a biological modification. In another aspect, a surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is applied to the modified surface of the material for a defined duration of time, wherein a condition associated with the SMAT is adjusted based on a structural composition of the material. In yet another aspect, a defined strain is imposed on the structural composition of the material based on the SMAT.

A hammer punch tool having a guide and a punch that is slidably coupled to the guide. The guide has a force transfer surface and a cavity accessible through an opening in the guide. The punch has a portion that is slidably received within the cavity of the guide through the opening in the guide. The guide slides relative to the punch between a reset position of the guide (or extended position of the punch), in which a portion of the punch engages the guide to retain at least a portion of the punch within the cavity, and a hammer position of the guide (or retracted position of the punch), in which the force transfer surface of the guide engages the punch. A method of forming material with the hammer punch tool by striking the punch with the guide.

A hammer punch tool having a guide and a punch that is slidably coupled to the guide. The guide has a force transfer surface and a cavity accessible through an opening in the guide. The punch has a portion that is slidably received within the cavity of the guide through the opening in the guide. The guide slides relative to the punch between a reset position of the guide (or extended position of the punch), in which a portion of the punch engages the guide to retain at least a portion of the punch within the cavity, and a hammer position of the guide (or retracted position of the punch), in which the force transfer surface of the guide engages the punch. A method of forming material with the hammer punch tool by striking the punch with the guide.

A method of preparing an engine valve is provided. The method includes hot forging a heat resistant steel at 1,150 to 1,250° C. to mold a valve, aging the molded valve and hollowed-out processing the aging valve. Additionally, the method includes nitride-heating the hollow valve and grinding a surface of a neck of the nitride-heated valve to remove a nitride layer.

A method of preparing an engine valve is provided. The method includes hot forging a heat resistant steel at 1,150 to 1,250° C. to mold a valve, aging the molded valve and hollowed-out processing the aging valve. Additionally, the method includes nitride-heating the hollow valve and grinding a surface of a neck of the nitride-heated valve to remove a nitride layer.