Guyson Corporation has introduced a robotic shot peening system that changes blast heads to automatically perform multiple peening operations without manual adjustments or other human intervention. So equipped, a single robotic shot peener can do a variety of metallurgical shot peening processes that would otherwise require two or more automated blast machines.

A robotic nozzle manipulator selects from multiple blasting tools.

The tool-changing robot blast machine features a slotted rack inside the shot peening
chamber, where the blasting tools are stored by the nozzle manipulator when not in use. The
assortment of tools required is determined by the range of components to be shot peened
and the peening process specifications, but may include straight nozzles of different bore
sizes, a lance with an angled nozzle for ID peening, a rotary lance tool for small ID peening
or a blasting tool that delivers a different size of peening shot.

One wall of the 86  x 78  x 78-inch peening cabinet has a large opening fitted with a custom-
tailored protective suit for the articulated 6-axis robotic arm. The laminated fabric seals the rubber-lined blast chamber, which is fabricated from 1/2-inch thick continuously welded steel plate, and isolates the robot from the harsh shot peening environment while accommodating the full range of motion of the robotic nozzle manipulator. 

The shot peening machine is equipped with a 2,200-pound capacity, 65-inch diameter
turntable that is driven by a servomotor and controlled as a seventh axis of robotic motion.
The rotary lance peening nozzle also has a servomotor drive, and rotation of the nozzle is
programmed through the robot controller as an eighth axis.

Critical to compliance with stringent aerospace shot peening specifications, the robotic
nozzle manipulator is capable of repeatably following the contours of complex-shaped
components while constantly and accurately maintaining the correct stand-off distance,
nozzle angle and surface speed required for the precisely controlled cold-working metal
treatment process.

Prospective users of robotic shot peening, blast finishing or surface preparation systems are invited to submit sample components for free laboratory testing and application engineering evaluation at the Guyson factory in northeastern New York State.