Carrying out shot peening of springs

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This standard identifies the competences you need to operate machinery to carry out the shot peening of springs, in accordance with approved procedures. You will carry out checks of the machine to ensure that it is safe to use, and that the substances used during the treatment operation are available and suitable for the intended purpose and type and size of spring being treated. You will be expected to operate the machine to control the treatment cycle and flow of abrasive substance onto the spring surfaces, in accordance with safe working practices and operating procedures. You will monitor the machine's performance to ensure consistent treatment of the springs and to check that adequate levels of abrasive substances are maintained within the machine.

Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the shot peening activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the machine, equipment, consumables or treatment activities that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.

Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of your work, and will provide an informed approach to the application of shot peening for the treatment of springs. You will understand the shot peening equipment used, and its application, and will know about the spring materials, shot peening consumables and equipment setting-up procedures, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the springs output are to the required specification.

You will understand the safety precautions required when working with the shot peening equipment, and with its associated equipment and consumables. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand your responsibility for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.

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1. work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. ensure that material surfaces to be treated are suitably prepared for the finishing operations to be carried out
3. check that the finishing equipment and consumables are set up and maintained at satisfactory operating conditions and levels
4. carry out the treatment process in accordance with operating procedures and the component specification requirements
5. ensure that the treated workpiece achieves the required characteristics and meets the finishing specification
6. deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
7. dispose of waste and excess materials in line with agreed organisational procedures
8. shut down the finishing equipment to a safe condition on completion of the processing activities

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1. how to work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
2. the hazards associated with working on shot peening equipment and how to minimise them and reduce any risks
3. the safety mechanisms on the equipment, and the procedure for checking that they function correctly
4. how to start and stop the equipment in normal and emergency situations
5. checks to be made on the equipment to ensure that it is in a safe and usable condition
6. the importance of ensuring that the equipment is isolated from the power supply before cleaning it or setting up the various parts of the equipment
7. the importance of wearing the appropriate personal protective clothing (PPE) and equipment, and of keeping the work area clean and tidy
8. the basic principles of operation of the shot peening equipment being used
9. why springs undergo the shot peening process, and the effect the process will have on the finished spring
10. the characteristics of the various spring materials used with regard to the shot peening process
11. how to obtain the necessary job instructions, and how to interpret their information
12. terminology used in relation to the shot peening equipment being used and the springs being treated
13. the various types of shot peening consumables that are used, and their suitability for various applications
14. the need to conduct trial runs, and to check that the equipment is set up correctly and producing springs to the required quality
15. how to set up and use dust extraction equipment, and the importance of ensuring that the equipment is operating correctly
16. the effect on spring quality of incorrectly treated springs
17. organisational quality control procedures, and the recognition of shot peening defects
18. the importance of completing all relevant documentation on conclusion of the shot peening activities
19. problems that can occur with the shot peening activities, and what to do if they occur
20. why it is important to keep the equipment clean and free from damage, to practice good housekeeping of tools and equipment, to maintain a clean working area and to carry out safe shutdown procedures
21. the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve

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1. Carry out all of the following in preparation for the shot peening activities:
   1. obtain all necessary documents and job instructions for the shot peening operations being performed
   2. ensure that the work area is clear of hazards
   3. adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
   4. check that all the machine controls are operating safely and correctly
   5. ensure that all safety equipment is in place and in good working order (such as machine guards, shot protection screens, door closing catches/interlocks)
   6. check that any lifting and handling equipment required is available and in good order
   7. ensure that dust extraction and air filtering equipment is functioning correctly
   8. ensure that any rolling tracks or carousels are operational
   9. check that consumables, such as shot, are at appropriate levels in the machine
2. Shot peen springs made from one of the following materials:
   1. ferrous alloys
   2. non-ferrous alloys
3. Use one of the following types of shot peening unit:
   1. linear/longitudinal throughput
   2. batch barrel machines
   3. cycled rotary
   4. rotary throughput
   5. hanger type machine
   6. ultrasonic
   7. air blast cabinet
   8. belt type machine
4. Use one of the following types of shot peening consumable:
   1. cast steel
   2. glass
   3. shots/round medium
   4. conditioned cut wire
   5. ceramic
   6. other specific consumable
5. Shot peen springs using one of the following shot peening methods:
   1. single application
   2. dual shot peening
   3. warm shot peening
   4. stress peening
6. Carry out the shot peening activities on springs, to include all of the following:
   1. loading of springs into the machine drum or into holding jigs/frames, as applicable to the machine/spring type
   2. checking that the correct type and size of shot has been loaded into the machine
   3. setting the machine operating parameters to give the required blasting conditions
   4. controlling and monitoring the shot peening activity throughout its time cycle
   5. maintaining the shot material at an appropriate level
   6. producing Almen arc rise
   7. checking that the springs have achieved the required properties/finish
   8. unloading the springs from the shot peening drum or frames/jigs
   9. carrying out corrosion protection activities after peening (where required)
7. Complete visual inspection and segregation of the springs, to include carrying out both of the following:
   1. placing acceptable springs in the approved containers
   2. sorting springs requiring further treatment
8. Complete all of the following operations at shutdown, where appropriate:
   1. close down the equipment (such as extraction units, power supplies, air supplies, filtering equipment) to a safe level
   2. check that all systems are failsafe
   3. complete the relevant paperwork

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3

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31 Mar 2028

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Current

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Original

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Enginuity

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SEMMME3143

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Engineering, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, Engineering Technicians

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3113

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mechanical engineering; spring making; springs; shot peening; ferrous alloys; non-ferrous alloys; single application; double shot peening; warm shot peening; stress peening; cast steel; glass; shots; round medium; cut wire; ceramic; linear; longitudinal

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