Simulation and automation of aluminum panel shot peen forming

We present a methodology for automated forming of metal plates into freeform shapes using shot peening. The methodology is based on a simulation software that computes the peening pattern and simulates the effect of its application. The pattern generation requires preliminary experimental characterization of the treatment. The treatment is applied by a shot peening robot. The program for the robot is generated automatically according to the peening pattern. We validate the methodology with a series of tests. Namely, we form nine aluminum plates into doubly curved shapes and we also shape model airplane wing skins. The article describes the complete workflow and the experimental results.