Almen Strip Holder Replica for Shot Peening Shadowing Analysis

The patent applies the copying principle by creating a mask replica structure that replicates the three-dimensional geometry of the workpiece being peened. This replica is attached to the Almen strip holder, allowing the holder to simulate the exact shadowing and masking effects that the actual workpiece will create during peening. The replica captures the complex shape features (such as coil springs, hollow sections, or obstructed surfaces) without requiring the actual workpiece to be present during testing, thereby enabling accurate saturation determination while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

The patent applies the spheroidality principle by replacing sharp edges and corners of the Almen strip holder with rounded or curved surfaces. This geometric modification eliminates stress concentration points that would otherwise cause impact damage to workpieces during the peening process. The rounded edges also improve the holder's ability to mix uniformly with workpieces in batch peening operations, ensuring consistent exposure to shot particles. The curvature design maintains structural integrity while reducing harmful impact effects.

The patent applies the preliminary action principle by performing saturation testing beforehand using the modified Almen strip holder with the mask replica attached. This preliminary test determines the exact saturation point for the specific workpiece geometry and peening conditions. Once saturation is identified through this preliminary assessment, the optimal peening time can be established in advance, eliminating the need for excessive peening time during actual production. This approach ensures complete coverage of both exposed and obstructed surfaces while minimizing time and energy consumption.