A method and a device for strengthening the surface of workpieces, in particular of metal ones, by mechanical effects accompanying the impact of small projectiles or by mechanical effects accompanied by the impact of a shockwave induced by plasma created by electric evaporation of a metal foil are described.

A peening device is provided with: peening impact pins that impact on a surface to be worked; a device main body that uses vibration to move the peening impact pins back and forth with respect to the surface to be worked; servo motors (22x, 22y) that adjust the inclination of the device main body with respect to the surface to be worked; laser displacement gauges (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) that detect the device angle; and a vibration sensor (18) that detects the vibration state of the device main body. Furthermore, a control device (40) for the peening device controls the servo motors (22x, 22y) such that the vibration state detected by the vibration sensor (18) is a predetermined vibration state. Thus, the peening device carries out excellent peening by conforming to the surface to be worked, the shape of which changes from moment to moment because of the peening.

A peening device is provided with: peening impact pins that impact on a surface to be worked; a device main body that uses vibration to move the peening impact pins back and forth with respect to the surface to be worked; servo motors (22x, 22y) that adjust the inclination of the device main body with respect to the surface to be worked; laser displacement gauges (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D) that detect the device angle; and a vibration sensor (18) that detects the vibration state of the device main body. Furthermore, a control device (40) for the peening device controls the servo motors (22x, 22y) such that the vibration state detected by the vibration sensor (18) is a predetermined vibration state. Thus, the peening device carries out excellent peening by conforming to the surface to be worked, the shape of which changes from moment to moment because of the peening.

A vehicle body dent system may include a dent impactor, which may include a ram and an impactor head on one end of the ram. The ram may be adapted to accelerate the impactor head to forcefully make contact with a vehicle body element, thereby denting the vehicle body element. The impactor head may be replaceable on the ram. Different impactor heads of numerous shapes and sizes may be provided. The ram may be a pneumatic cylinder, as such the criteria of a dent may be the classification of the impactor head used, such as the diameter of the impactor head, and the air pressure provided to the cylinder which may comprise the ram. The vehicle body element may be supported by a body element support, which may include a rotating portion. The body element support may include a mounting element in the form of a body element table, or one or more standoffs, movably mounted to the body element support. The mounting element may be adapted to receive the vehicle body element and securely support the vehicle body element. The mounting element may be coupled to the rotating portion of the body element support so that the vehicle body element mounted to the body element support may be positioned substantially horizontal or substantially vertical that may represent the position of the vehicle body element as if it were on a vehicle where a technician can be trained to remove the dent.

A vehicle body dent system may include a dent impactor, which may include a ram and an impactor head on one end of the ram. The ram may be adapted to accelerate the impactor head to forcefully make contact with a vehicle body element, thereby denting the vehicle body element. The impactor head may be replaceable on the ram. Different impactor heads of numerous shapes and sizes may be provided. The ram may be a pneumatic cylinder, as such the criteria of a dent may be the classification of the impactor head used, such as the diameter of the impactor head, and the air pressure provided to the cylinder which may comprise the ram. The vehicle body element may be supported by a body element support, which may include a rotating portion. The body element support may include a mounting element in the form of a body element table, or one or more standoffs, movably mounted to the body element support. The mounting element may be adapted to receive the vehicle body element and securely support the vehicle body element. The mounting element may be coupled to the rotating portion of the body element support so that the vehicle body element mounted to the body element support may be positioned substantially horizontal or substantially vertical that may represent the position of the vehicle body element as if it were on a vehicle where a technician can be trained to remove the dent.

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.