Patent ID: 8829390
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: B41M,F16C,G06K,G07D

Abstract:
1. A method for providing an identification mark on a bearing component made from a bearing steel, comprising: hardening the bearing component, applying a laser beam to a surface of the bearing component so as to raise a temperature of a portion of the surface to at least 1500° C. and so as to raise a temperature of a depth of at least 0.3 mm below the surface to between 200-500° C., wherein an oxidised surface layer, which is visible with the naked eye, forms on the surface and an altered microstructure comprising a tempered zone forms below the surface, and exposing the altered microstructure comprising the tempered zone by grinding or polishing about 0.1 to 0.2 mm of material from the oxidised surface layer of the identification mark, such that the identification mark is rendered visually undetectable with the naked eye.