LSP Technologies, Inc. Completes Small Business Innovation Research Grant For “Laser Peening for Army Vehicle Life Extension"
Dublin, Ohio (PRWEB) August 09, 2013 -- LSP Technologies investigated the parameters of the laser shock peening process for gear materials and geometries during this extensive program. The program generated guidelines for optimizing the laser peening process for application to advanced steels and gear geometries. These advancements in laser peening application potentially allow gear trains to sustain higher engine horsepower with no detriment to service life.
Increases in the fatigue strength (stress at which material won’t fail under cyclic loading) of gear materials by over 25 percent in gear type geometries were observed to suggest massive benefit potential in laser peening of gears. Fatigue life increases of up to ten times were observed for given stress levels as compared to baseline and shot peened values. Laser peening can also reduce costs associated with the manufacturing, inspecting, servicing, and replacement of these drivetrain systems, in addition to providing longer life.
“LSPT’s scientists and engineers are pioneers in the laser peening field,” said Dr. Jeff Dulaney, president and CEO of LSP Technologies, Inc. “and continue to keep the technology up to date with new innovations. The program provided significant advancements in modeling laser peening, which will be used to reduce future development costs.” Correlations between the modeling and physical measurements reinforced the value of dynamic and post-processing finite element analysis and simulations prior to laser peening implementation. “These modeling improvements are useful in current product studies, and in the design of future products to incorporate laser peening as a design feature, enabling more efficient designs,” he added. The 30 percent increase in fatigue strength at critical geometries of gears offers many opportunities for increased efficiency in the design of many mechanical systems.
Founded in 1995 by Dr. Jeff Dulaney, LSP Technologies is the premier provider of laser peening equipment and services in the United States. LSPT worked with GE Aviation to establish their laser peening capability in the 1990s, and then worked with the US Air Force to establish itself as an open source laser peening supplier for the rest of the industry. In 2003 LSPT began engine component laser peening production for the F22 Raptor. The company also now provides laser peening for several other industries, land based power generation and metal forging, for example. LSP Technologies continues to grow through the development of innovative laser-based technologies and products. LSPT delivered its first Laser Bond Inspection system to Boeing in December, 2012.
For more information on LSP Technologies and its products and services, visit the website at http://www.lsptechnologies.com.
Stan Bovid, LSP Technologies, Inc., http://www.lsptechnologies.com, 614-718-3000, [email protected]
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