Patent ID: 6867390

Claim:
An automated laser peening process apparatus for automated laser peening processing of a workpiece, comprising: a laser beam unit configured for projecting a laser beam on a chosen process portion of a process area of the workpiece, the laser beam forming a laser spot and generating a pressure pulse and resulting compressive residual stresses on the chosen process portion; at least one of a beam locating mechanism and a position sensing device, said beam locating mechanism being configured for adjusting at least one characteristic of the laser spot, said position sensing device being configured to automatedly determine a spatial relationship of at least one feature of said apparatus relative to at least one of said workpiece and a laser peening processing pattern for said workpiece, the spatial relationship defining a relative position indicative of at least one of location and orientation; an application device for applying at least one process overlay to the process area; and a control unit for controlling operation of said laser beam unit, said at least one of said beam locating mechanism and said position sensing device, and said application device, said control unit being operatively linked with said laser beam unit, said at least one of said beam locating mechanism and said position sensing device, and said application device.