Laser has found its applications in cutting, drilling, and shock-peening operations of manufacturing industry because of its accurate, safe, and rapid cutting property. This article provides an account on the fundamental principles of laser cutting (thermal), drilling, and shock-peening processes of which emphasis is placed on thermal laser cutting. It details the principal set-up parameters, such as the laser beam output, nozzle design, focusing optic position and characteristics, assist gases, surface conditions, and cutting speed. A discussion on the types of gas, supply system, purity level, and flow rates of lasing and assist gases is also provided. The article also describes the metallurgies and other key material considerations that impact laser-cutting performances and includes examples of laser cutting of nonmetal materials.

Shot peening is a method of cold working in which compressive stresses are induced in the exposed surface layers of metallic parts by the impingement of a stream of shot, directed at the metal surface at high velocity under controlled conditions. This article focuses on the major variables, applications, and limitations of shot peening and provides information on peening action, surface coverage, and peening intensity. It discusses the equipment used for shot recycling and shot propelling as well as the types and sizes of media used for peening. The article describes the problems in shot peening of production parts. It concludes with information on the SAE standard J442 that describes the test strips, strip holder, and gage used in measuring shot peening intensity.

Shot peen forming is a manufacturing process in which local compressive residual stresses form thin sheet metals and structural components in one or more dimensions. This article discusses the principle of the process with an emphasis on fundamental mechanisms. It presents the basic considerations in the simulation of shot peen forming and provides information on single impact and multiple-impact peening simulations. The article describes the equipment and tooling used in the process. It also analyzes the influence of process parameters on shot peen forming and illustrates possible shapes and contours, which are producible by shot peen forming. The article concludes with a table that presents typical peen forming applications in the aircraft and aerospace industries.