Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing assembly that provides a magnetic sensor; a shaft; and a bearing. One of the shaft and the bearing is provided with a surface having a bearing steel and including a magnetic pattern disposed thereon for indicating a rotation of the shaft relative to the bearing. The magnetic pattern is provided by the microstructure of the surface; and the sensor is arranged to sense the pattern and output a signal indicative of a rotation of the shaft relative to the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing assembly that provides a magnetic sensor; a shaft; and a bearing. One of the shaft and the bearing is provided with a surface having a bearing steel and including a magnetic pattern disposed thereon for indicating a rotation of the shaft relative to the bearing. The magnetic pattern is provided by the microstructure of the surface; and the sensor is arranged to sense the pattern and output a signal indicative of a rotation of the shaft relative to the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a method of providing a mark on a surface of a metal component, where the mark comprises a symbol (301) representing a first entity of information and the method comprises a step of laser marking, in which a controllable laser beam is used to form the symbol (301) from two or more separate line segments (33 1-334), each line segment (33 1.334) having at least one point of overlap with another line segment. According to the invention, the method further comprises a step of embedding a second entity of information within the mark by modifying a sequence in which the two or more separate line segments (33 1-334) are formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visible identification mark is created on a surface of the component using a laser beam. The laser marking creates an oxidized layer on the component surface and, in an underlying region, alters the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. According to the invention, the mark is then rendered visually undetectable with the naked eye, by removing at least the oxidized surface layer of the mark. This exposes the altered microstructure, which is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visually undetectable identification mark is created on a surface of the component by means of laser marking performed in a protective gas environment. The protective gas environment prevents the formation of a visible oxide layer, while the temperatures induced at the component surface and below the component surface, due to the laser marking, are sufficient to alter the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. The altered microstructure is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark, thereby allowing authentication of the bearing component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visible identification mark is created on a surface of the component using a laser beam. The laser marking creates an oxidised layer on the component surface and, in an underlying region, alters the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. According to the invention, the mark is then rendered visually undetectable with the naked eye, by removing at least the oxidised surface layer of the mark. This exposes the altered microstructure, which is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visually undetectable identification mark is created on a surface of the component by means of laser marking performed in a protective gas environment. The protective gas environment prevents the formation of a visible oxide layer, while the temperatures induced at the component surface and below the component surface, due to the laser marking, are sufficient to alter the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. The altered microstructure is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark, thereby allowing authentication of the bearing component.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a method of providing a mark on a surface of a metal component, where the mark comprises a symbol (301) representing a first entity of information and the method comprises a step of laser marking, in which a controllable laser beam is used to form the symbol (301) from two or more separate line segments (33 1-334), each line segment (33 1.334) having at least one point of overlap with another line segment. According to the invention, the method further comprises a step of embedding a second entity of information within the mark by modifying a sequence in which the two or more separate line segments (33 1-334) are formed.