Patent ID: 7125451

Claim:
A method of forming, from a precursor material having selectively and controllably changeable crystalline-structure-related mechanical properties, a mechanical device possessing (a) a predetermined configuration, and therein (b) a set of such mechanical properties, that are desired for the performance by the completed device of a pre-chosen mechanical task, said method comprising placing a precursor body of such material in a processing zone, selecting a volumetric region with an appropriate spatial configuration in that body which is suitable (a) for the creation therefrom of the desired, predetermined device configuration and (b) for the establishment therein of the desired set of crystalline-structure-related mechanical properties, within the processing zone, subjecting the selected region to a controlled changing of the crystalline structure therein, and thus of the related mechanical properties, and by that process, achieving, in the selected region, the desired set of mechanical properties.