Method of modifying a surface of a workpiece

Abstract

A method of modifying a surface of a workpiece comprises providing a system comprising a sealed mixing vessel having an interior chamber wherein the workpiece and working bodies are contained. The sealed mixing vessel is then uniaxially vibrated at a frequency between 15 hertz and 1 kilohertz, and at a vibrational amplitude between about 0.2 cm and 3 cm such that the working bodies impact the surface of the workpiece. The method is useful for shot peening and abrasive finishing the workpiece.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method of modifying a surface of a workpiece, the method comprising:
 providing a system comprising a sealed mixing vessel having an interior chamber containing the workpiece and working bodies, wherein the workpiece is loose within the interior chamber;   uniaxially vibrating the sealed mixing vessel at a frequency between 15 hertz and 1 kilohertz, and at a vibrational amplitude between about 0.2 cm and 3 cm such that the working bodies impact the surface of the workpiece.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the frequency is at or near a resonant vibrational frequency of the system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the surface of the workpiece is metallic. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the surface of the workpiece is polymeric. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the working bodies comprise shot particles. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the working bodies comprise abrasive particles. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said uniaxially vibrating the sealed mixing vessel imparts an accelerating force to at least one of the workpiece and at least some of the working bodies of at least 40 grams-force (9.8 millinewtons). 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the working bodies are accelerated to a velocity of at least than one meter per second. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least some of the working bodies have a mass greater than 0.001 gram. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the interior chamber has a volume, and wherein a ratio of the total volume of the working bodies to the volume of the interior chamber is less than 0.8. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the interior chamber further contains a fluid. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the interior chamber further contains an etchant for the workpiece.