The Application of Shot Peen Forming Technology to Commercial Aircraft Wing Skins

Shot peen forming was selected by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation as the only viable method of contouring wing skin planks for the DC10 airliner. The parameters to form the skin planks were developed by Metal Improvement Company Inc. An overview of the shot peen forming operations is presented covering the technical and tooling requirements and documentation. Reference is made to the subtle angular and/or dimensional changes which can occur during forming of complex contours on large skin planks. The significant engineering and manufacturing advantages of the process led to incorporation of the technology in the design of the new DC9 Super 80. These criteria are expected to be equally applicable on the next generation commercial aircraft.