Abstract:
A method for cold working spot welded structures to improve fatigue life, and structures made by the method. Partially finished structures are provided assembled and joined by a spot weld nugget (50). Opposing indenters (46,48), or an indenter and a backing anvil, are used to squeeze the spot weld nugget to form one or two cold working dimples, respectively. Residual compressive stress is imparted in the workpiece,resulting in increased fatigue life.
Abstract:
A compound indenter (18) for metal coldwork, and a method of employing such tooling. The compound indenter tool (18) is used to produce deformation in a workpiece structure (30), to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile in the workpiece (30), in order to provide high fatigue life structures in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Preferably, action of a compound indenter (18) causes deformation of the workpiece, causing dimples in the workpiece. An improved, compound indenter tool profile shape is described, having a first, elongate indenter (20) with a shaped indenter surface portion, and a second shaped indenter (22) surrounding the first indenter and forming an annular shoulder (44) recessed from the surface portion of the first indenter. Additionally, a foot (60) having a bottom portion (80) can be used to confiningly surround the second indenter during application of force to the surface of a workpiece, to prevent surface deformation.
Abstract:
A compound indenter (18) for metal coldwork, and a method of employing such tooling. The compound indenter tool (18) is used to produce deformation in a workpiece structure (30), to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile in the workpiece (30), in order to provide high fatigue life structures in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Preferably, action of a compound indenter (18) causes deformation of the workpiece, causing dimples in the workpiece. An improved, compound indenter tool profile shape is described, having a first, elongate indenter (20) with a shaped indenter surface portion, and a second shaped indenter (22) surrounding the first indenter and forming an annular shoulder (44) recessed from the surface portion of the first indenter. Additionally, a foot (60) having a bottom portion (80) can be used to confiningly surround the second indenter during application of force to the surface of a workpiece, to prevent surface deformation.