Roto peening is a rotary impact peening process using tungsten-carbide flappers mounted on a high-speed rotary tool (3,000-12,000 rpm). The tool is applied to the target surface with controlled pressure and speed — typically for cylindrical surfaces, bores or bodies of revolution where automated shot-peening booths are less effective.
Compared with conventional shot peening, roto peening reaches high Almen intensities (typically 10-22A and up to 14C) with better directional control, high productivity and a small tooling footprint (manual or semi-automated).
The process is specified by SAE J2277 (peening operator qualification) and AMS 2590 (aerospace roto peening). Carbide flapper hardness and integrity are checked before every intervention.