Method for increasing the load-bearing capacity, and rolling device for hard rolling a surface-hardened rolling-bearing raceway

A method for increasing a load capacity of a surface-hardened rolling bearing raceway of a rolling bearing ring element, the method comprising:

• providing a rolling bearing ring element that has an unhardened core region and, at least in certain portions, an outer layer hardened to a surface hardening depth, with a rolling bearing raceway being formed in a region of the hardened outer layer;
• hard rolling the rolling bearing raceway with a roll, wherein a diameter of the roll is 8 to 25 times the surface hardening depth, wherein a surface pressure prevailing in a rolling contact between the roll and the rolling bearing raceway during the hard rolling is between 2000 MPa and 3300 MPa;
• and
• machining the rolling bearing raceway after the hard rolling.

A rolling apparatus for hard rolling a surface-hardened rolling bearing raceway of a rolling bearing ring element, comprising:

• a support apparatus with a supporting roll configured to support the rolling bearing ring element;
• a yoke that is held by tension rods that are articulated on the support apparatus, wherein the yoke, the tension rods, and the support apparatus together form a closed frame through which the rolling bearing ring element can be guided during the hard rolling;
• a roll stand that is hydraulically supported on the yoke, the roll stand being mounted so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the yoke by a positioning device;
• and
• a roll that is configured to process the rolling bearing raceway and is mounted in the roll stand.