Shot Peening and its Effect on Gearing

With the trend in gear transmission towards higher capacities, smaller size and overall increases in strength, shot peening is a viable and low-cost alternative to major redesign or increased material costs due to part-size increases. Understanding shot peening can be an effective means to a solution for these new design challenges that can only be made by having an understanding of this tool's capabilities. The ability to increase fatigue strength, increase surface fatigue life, eliminate continuous machine marks which produce stress risers in the tooth flank, and aid in lubrication are key factors in aiding gear designers.