Chrysler Group LLC

Adcole Corporation

John Wilt

Anthony T Bustamante

A laser ablation method is used to polish a bearing surface of an automotive crankshaft. A laser ablation device generates a laser according to parameters such as wavelength, pulse duration, pulse repetition rate, and beam quality. The laser is applied to the surface of a rotating engine component, such as a crankshaft, as the component is rotated in order to polish the surface according to the parameters. The laser substantially improves tribological performance of the bearing surface by changing the waviness and form of the surface profile. Further, oil-retention reservoirs are formed in the surface. As a result, the friction coefficient of the crankshaft surface is reduced while the roughness of the crankshaft surface is maintained, reduced, or increased.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

John Wilt