Abstract: A workpiece having a multiple-phase working surface, and a lapping process for producing the surface, the process including: (a) providing a system including: (i) a workpiece having a multiple-phase working surface having a first continuous solid phase, and a second solid phase, intimately dispersed within the continuous phase in the multiple-phase working surface, she continuous phase having a hastiness exceeding a hardness of the second phase by a Mohs Hardness of at least 0.

Abstract: A workpiece having a multiple-phase working surface, and a lapping process for producing the surface, the process including: (a) providing a system including: (i) a workpiece having a multiple-phase working surface having a first continuous solid phase, and a second solid phase, intimately dispersed within the continuous phase in the multiple-phase working surface, the continuous phase having a hardness exceeding a hardness of the second phase by a Mohs Hardness of at least 0.

Abstract: A CNC system for effecting a finishing treatment of a surface, including: a mechanical assembly having a mechanical arm, adapted to move within at least two controllable axes of motion; a shoe arrangement, adapted to connect to an end of the arm and having at least one flexible surface finishing pad; and a drive mechanism adapted to drive the arm; a controller; a communication arrangement adapted to deliver communication signals between the controller and the mechanical assembly; and a positioning system providing the controller with positioning information with respect to the mechanical assembly, the system configured whereby the arm is responsive to the controller, the mechanical assembly adapted to urge the working surface against a workpiece surface, whereby a pressure is delivered thereto, the mechanical assembly including a controllable spring arrangement disposed and adapted to contribute to an overall mechanical compliance, normal to the working surface, of the mechanical assembly, the spring arrangem

Abstract: A mechanical device including: (a) a metal workpiece having a working surface for bearing a load, the working surface including a nanometric, adhesive, solid film containing carbon atoms, the film being intimately bonded to the workpiece, wherein the film is intimately bonded to the workpiece on one face of the film, and wherein an opposing face of the film is exposed, for contacting with a lubricant, (b) a contact surface, disposed substantially opposite the working surface; (c) a lubricant, disposed between the working surface and the contact surface, and (d) a mechanism for causing a relative movement between the working surface and the contact surface.

Abstract: A workpiece having a multiple-phase working surface, and a lapping process for producing the surface, the process including: (a) providing a system including: (i) a workpiece having a multiple-phase working surface having a first continuous solid phase, and a second solid phase, intimately dispersed within the continuous phase in the multiple-phase working surface, the continuous phase having a hardness exceeding a hardness of the second phase by a Mohs Hardness of at least 0.

Abstract: A conditioning process including the steps of: (a) providing a system including: (i) a workpiece having a metal working surface; (ii) a contact surface, disposed generally opposite the working surface, the contact surface including an organic, polymeric material and (iii) a plurality of particles, including abrasive particles, the plurality of particles disposed between the contact surface and the working surface, and (b) treating the workpiece so as to: (i) effect an at least partially elastic interaction between the contact surface and the abrasive particles such that at least a portion of the abrasive particles penetrate the working surface, and (ii) incorporate organic particles into the metal working surface, thereby producing a modified working surface, wherein the treating of the workpiece includes a lapping process including: (i) exerting a load on the contact surface and the metal working surface, and (ii) applying a relative motion between the metal working surface and the contact surface.

Abstract: A conditioning process including the steps of: (a) providing a system including: (i) a workpiece having a metal working surface; (ii) a contact surface, disposed generally opposite the working surface, the contact surface including an organic, polymeric material and (iii) a plurality of particles, including abrasive particles, the plurality of particles disposed between the contact surface and the working surface, and (b) treating the workpiece so as to: (i) effect an at least partially elastic interaction between the contact surface and the abrasive particles such that at least a portion of the abrasive particles penetrate the working surface, and (ii) incorporate organic particles into the metal working surface, thereby producing a modified working surface, wherein the treating of the workpiece includes a lapping process including: (i) exerting a load on the contact surface and the metal working surface, and (ii) applying a relative motion between the metal working surface and the contact surface.

Abstract: A tribological system including: a tribological workpiece having a working surface adapted for moving relative to a counter-surface in a presence of a lubricant, in a load-bearing environment, the working surface for disposing generally opposite the counter-surface, the working surface having: (i) a metal surface layer; (ii) a plurality of organic particles incorporated in the metal surface layer, and (iii) a plurality of inorganic particles incorporated in the working surface, the inorganic particles having a Mohs hardness of at least 8.

Abstract: A centerless feed-through super-finishing device including: first and second feed-through rollers having first and second longitudinal outer surfaces; a metallic part having a generally cylindrical section, disposed between the outer surfaces, wherein a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical section is generally aligned with the outer surfaces, the cylindrical section having a metal working surface, the outer surfaces disposed in a near-parallel fashion; a rotating mechanism for rotation of the rollers along respective longitudinal axes thereof, and for effecting thereby a rotation of the cylindrical section, wherein an angle between the rollers is selected such that rotation of the rollers propels the cylindrical section between the rollers; and a lapping system including: a lapping tool having a polymeric contact surface disposed to contact the working surface, and a lapping mechanism, associated with the lapping tool, adapted to exert a load on the contact and working surfaces; and abrasive particles, freely

Abstract: A mechanical device including: (a) a metal workpiece having a working surface for bearing a load, the working surface including a nanometric, adhesive, solid film containing carbon atoms, the film being intimately bonded to the workpiece, wherein the film is intimately bonded to the workpiece on one face of the film, and wherein an opposing face of the film is exposed, for contacting with a lubricant, (b) a contact surface, disposed substantially opposite the working surface; (c) a lubricant, disposed between the working surface and the contact surface, and (d) a mechanism for causing a relative movement between the working surface and the contact surface.

Abstract: A tribological system including: a tribological workpiece having a working surface adapted for moving relative to a counter-surface in a presence of a lubricant, in a load-bearing environment, the working surface for disposing generally opposite the counter-surface, the working surface having: (i) a metal surface layer; (ii) a plurality of organic particles incorporated in the metal surface layer, and (iii) a plurality of inorganic particles incorporated in the working surface, the inorganic particles having a Mohs hardness of at least 8.

Abstract: A centerless feed-through super-finishing device including: first and second feed-through rollers having first and second longitudinal outer surfaces; a metallic part having a generally cylindrical section, disposed between the outer surfaces, wherein a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical section is generally aligned with the outer surfaces, the cylindrical section having a metal working surface, the outer surfaces disposed in a near-parallel fashion; a rotating mechanism for rotation of the rollers along respective longitudinal axes thereof, and for effecting thereby a rotation of the cylindrical section, wherein an angle between the rollers is selected such that rotation of the rollers propels the cylindrical section between the rollers; and a lapping system including: a lapping tool having a polymeric contact surface disposed to contact the working surface, and a lapping mechanism, associated with the lapping tool, adapted to exert a load on the contact and working surfaces; and abrasive particles, freely

Abstract: A tribological system including: a tribological workpiece having a working surface adapted for moving relative to a counter-surface in a presence of a lubricant, in a load-bearing environment, the working surface for disposing generally opposite the counter-surface, the working surface having: (i) a metal surface layer; (ii) a plurality of organic particles incorporated in the metal surface layer, and (iii) a plurality of inorganic particles incorporated in the working surface, the inorganic particles having a Mohs hardness of at least 8.

Abstract: A method of operating a tribological system including the steps of: (a) providing a workpiece having a tribological working surface, the working surface including: (i) a metal surface layer; (ii) a plurality of organic particles intimately incorporated in the metal surface layer, and (iii) a plurality of inorganic particles incorporated in the working surface, the inorganic particles having a Mohs hardness of at least 8; (b) providing a counter-surface disposed opposite the working surface; (c) disposing a lubricant between the working surface and the counter-surface; (d) providing at least one mechanism, associated with at least one of the working surface and the second surface, for applying a relative motion between the surfaces, and for exerting a load on the surfaces; (e) exerting the load between the working surface and the counter-surface, and (f) applying the relative motion between the working surface and the counter-surface.

Abstract: A mechanical system for lapping a metal working surface, including: (a) a workpiece having the metal working surface; (b) a lapping tool having a contact surface, the contact surface for disposing generally opposite the working surface, the contact surface including an organic, polymeric material; (c) a plurality of particles, including abrasive particles, the abrasive particles for disposing between the contact surface and the working surface, and (d) a mechanism, associated with at least one of the working and contact surfaces, for applying a relative motion between the contact surface and the metal working surface, and for exerting a load on the contact surface and the working surface, the contact surface for providing an at least partially elastic interaction with the plurality of abrasive particles, and wherein the contact surface and the mechanism are designed and configured, and the plurality of particles is selected, such that upon activation of the mechanism, the relative motion under the load effect

Abstract: A lapping system including: (a) a workpiece having a metal working surface; (b) a lapping tool having a contact surface for disposing generally opposite the working surface, the contact surface including an organic, polymeric material; (c) a plurality of abrasive particles for disposing between the contact surface and the working surface, and (d) a mechanism, associated with the working and contact surfaces, for applying a relative motion between the surfaces, and for exerting a load on the contact surface and the working surface, the contact surface for providing an at least partially elastic interaction with the plurality of abrasive particles, and wherein the contact surface and the mechanism are designed and configured, and the plurality of particles is selected, such that upon activation of the mechanism, the relative motion under the load effects lapping of the metal working surface to produce a tribological surface.

Abstract: The invention is about reducing friction and wear and risk of seizure of mechanically interacting lubricated surfaces. A working surface of a mechanical piece engaged with another piece in relative sliding movement is processed for reduced friction. Two distinctly separate zones are allocated on the surface, one attractive to a lubricant used and the other repelling to the lubricant. The repellency may be conveyed to the repelling zone by either a mechanical modifying process or by a chemical change. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the repellency is obtained by lapping. The lubricant attractive layers are associated in a preferred embodiment of the invention with an assembly of recessed microstructures.

Abstract: The invention is about reducing friction and wear and risk of seizure of mechanically interacting lubricated surfaces. A working surface of a mechanical piece engaged with another piece in relative sliding movement is processed for reduced friction. Two distinctly separate zones are allocated on the surface, one attractive to a lubricant used and the other repelling to the lubricant. The repellency may be conveyed to the repelling zone by either a mechanical modifying process or by a chemical change. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the repellency is obtained by lapping. The lubricant attractive layers are associated in a preferred embodiment of the invention with an assembly of recessed microstructures.