Rotary Flap Peening of Aircraft Metallic Parts

Generally speaking, we want to avoid stresses in metallic structures. But what if having a certain type of stress brought into a component or part actually improves the structure? And it does.

Shot Peening is done to pre-stress surfaces of some metallic parts. By doing so, the fatigue strength of the part is increased and it helps to prevent stress and corrosion cracks. Nevertheless, such surfaces can still get damaged. When damage occurs, it must be removed (by blend out and/or smoothing). If still within allowable damage limits, the part must be shot-peened again (after all, the pre-stressed surface at the damaged area is removed). But what if the damaged part is installed on the aircraft and rather difficult or time-consuming to remove? Don’t worry, that’s when they call you.

Flap Peening is the Shot Peening of small areas of components or parts that are installed on the aircraft. Flap peening can be done best with the specialized tooling made by Shockform Aeronautique: The flapspeed PRO. Aircraft manufacturers demand that the person who performs the flap peening procedures is qualified and trained.

This training makes sure you become qualified for the job!

Not only will you become familiar with how the Flapspeed PRO works, you also get an extensive explanation of the Flap Peening procedure. After following this training you will fully understand the flap peening procedure given by, for example, Airbus and Boeing

Learning Goals

After successfully completing this module, the student will be able to:

Module 1 Introduction to Flap Peening

• Explain the process of shot peening;
• Explain the process of flap peening;
• Explain the philosophy of peening;
• Explain why peening is done;
• Explain the difference between shot- and flap peening.

Module 2 Tooling, Equipment & Consumables

• Describe the contents of the flapspeed PRO tooling kit;
• Explain how the make the handpiece rotary tool selection;
• Explain the purpose of the mandrel, and how to place the flap;
• Describe the purpose of the almen test-strip and how to place it on the magnetic holder;
• Explain the purpose of the almen gage;
• Explain the purpose of the magnifying lens.

Module 3 The Flap Peening Procedure

• Understand the general description accordance the flap peening procedure;
• Explain the scope and restrictions accordance the flap peening procedure;
• Understand the safety measures to be taken during the flap peening procedure;
• Explain how to find the intensity accordance with the flap peening procedure;
• Explain how to plot the saturation curve accordance the flap peening procedure;
• Explain how to perform the complete test procedure accordance the flap peening procedure;
• Understand which information a rapport needs to contain;
• Be able to describe what the operator requirements are.

Module 4 Flap Peening Test Procedure

• Explain how to prepare the almen gage;
• Select the correct almen strip;
• Select the applicable intensity (range), from the flap peening procedure;
• Select the first estimated RPM;
• Explain how to set up the Flapspeed PRO;
• Explain how the almen test strip must be peened;
• Explain how the arc height of a test-strip must be measured;
• Explain how the arc height must be entered in the Flapspeed PRO;
• Explain how the plotting of the saturation curve is done.