Abstract: A thermal insulation method more an internal surface of an injection molding casting die includes forming a thermal insulation blanket on the internal surface using laser cladding. One or more layers of a metal material having suitable thermal emittance and melting point characteristics is applied to the internal surface using laser cladding. Because the impact area of the injected molten metal is subject to greater stress and temperature gradients than the remainder of the surface, laser cladding can be used to apply the thermal insulation blanket only to areas that require additional protection.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An arrangement for straightening a bent crankshaft is provided. In a crankshaft manufacturing process, a hardened crankshaft is measured and compared to reference tolerance specifications. If the crankshaft is determined to be out tolerance, data identifying the out of tolerance location and quantity is generated and the crankshaft is selectively induction rehardened in predetermined areas as a function of the measurement data to remedy the out of tolerance condition. The crankshaft is then remeasured and the process repeated until the crankshaft is within the reference tolerance specifications. The results can be logged to facilitate matching of subsequent detected out of tolerance conditions.