US 8,796,584 B2 · Method of manufacturing a bearing component with visually undetectable mark; bearing component with such marking; method of authentification such marking

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visually undetectable identification mark is created on a surface of the component by means of laser marking performed in a protective gas environment. The protective gas environment prevents the formation of a visible oxide layer, while the temperatures induced at the component surface and below the component surface, due to the laser marking, are sufficient to alter the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. The altered microstructure is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark, thereby allowing authentication of the bearing component.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for providing an identification mark on a bearing component made from a bearing steel, comprising:

hardening the bearing component;
placing the bearing component in a protective gas environment;
and
while in the protective gas environment, applying a laser beam to a surface of the bearing component so as to raise a temperature of a depth of 0.05-0.3 mm below the surface to between 200-500° C. so as to alter the microstructure of the bearing steel but without melting the surface, wherein no oxidised surface layer forms on the surface and a tempered zone forms at and below the surface, which tempered zone is the identification mark and is visually undetectable with the naked eye.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/517,450Filed 22 Dec 2009

Published

US 2012/0312781 A113 Dec 2012

Granted

5 Aug 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

F16C 33/64
Raceways; Race rings: special methods of manufacture
B23K 26/0006
Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring: taking account of the properties of the material involved
B23K 26/352
Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring: for surface treatment
B23K 26/36
Working by laser beam, e.g. welding, cutting or boring: removing material

Method of manufacturing a bearing component with visually undetectable mark; bearing component with such marking; method of authentification such marking

Life of this patent

Method of manufacturing a bearing component with visually undetectable mark; bearing component with such marking; method of authentification such marking

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14