A method of imparting compressive residual stress to a first plurality of balls includes a) placing the balls between a first body having a first surface and a second body having a second surface, the first surface including a smooth contact portion, the smooth contact portion being substantially flat or convex and having a surface hardness greater than or equal to an initial surface hardness of the balls, b) imparting a compressive stress along a first diameter of the balls by pressing the first body toward the second body or the second body toward the first body or the first and second bodies toward one another with a force, and c) causing relative movement between the first surface and the second surface while maintaining the force at or above a minimum level to impart the compressive stress along other diameters of the balls different than the first diameter.

A multiple purpose tool assembly for performing various manipulations of a pipe includes a tubular housing that may be gripped by a user. The tubular housing is selectively positionable proximate a pipe. A motor is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. A worm gear is operationally coupled to the motor so the motor selectively rotates the worm gear. An actuator is operationally coupled to the tubular housing. The actuator is operationally coupled to the motor so the actuator selectively actuates the motor. A head is removably coupled to the tubular housing. The head is operationally coupled to the worm gear so the head is selectively actuated. The head selectively engages the pipe so the head may selectively manipulate the pipe.

A method of forming a component includes heating the component to a burnishing temperature above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and burnishing a surface of the component while the component is at the burnishing temperature to densify the surface. The burnishing process at an elevated temperature may be integrated into other processes, such as the sintering or heat treating processes.

Provided is a method and apparatus for refining a ball joint stud. The method includes receiving and releasably securing the ball joint stud in a holder between a first die and a second die. The method further includes translating one or more of the first die and the second die towards the remaining die to apply a compression pressure to the ball joint stud. The compression pressure causes a plastic radial compression of the ball joint stud to a stroke length. The stroke length may be to induce a residual stress in the ball joint stud or increase a surface hardness of the ball joint stud. The first die and second die each include a contact surface configured to interface with the ball joint stud. The method may further include rotating one or more of the first die and the second die during the application of the compression pressure.

Provided is a method and apparatus for refining a ball joint stud. The method includes receiving and releasably securing the ball joint stud in a holder between a first die and a second die. The method further includes translating one or more of the first die and the second die towards the remaining die to apply a compression pressure to the ball joint stud. The compression pressure causes a plastic radial compression of the ball joint stud to a stroke length. The stroke length may be to induce a residual stress in the ball joint stud or increase a surface hardness of the ball joint stud. The first die and second die each include a contact surface configured to interface with the ball joint stud. The method may further include rotating one or more of the first die and the second die during the application of the compression pressure.

A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool includes a fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms, wherein each fork arm extends outwardly from the base section and wherein the fork arms are separated from one another to form an opening. The deep rolling tool may also include a plurality of rolling elements configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein each rolling element includes a cantilever shaft retained by a fork arm and a crowned roller.

A bearing assembly having an inner race ring (14) that defines an inner raceway and an outer race ring that defines an outer raceway on which the plurality of rolling elements (22) roll. The bearing raceways are machined using surface finishing operations to create preferred surface profiles and textures for improving lubrication performance. The profile of the raceway is initially created using a first grinding process to form a rough surface profile including a rough central band (34) and rough recessed side bands (38). A second grinding process is used to smooth the central band. This raceway surface profile increases lubrication performance.

A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms, each fork arm extends outwardly from the base section and the fork arms are separated from one another to form an opening. The deep rolling tool may also include rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool.

A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a flexible fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms and a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted to a fork arm with eccentric roller bushings, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool.

A device and methods are provided for deep rolling. In one embodiment, a deep rolling tool for applying compressive stress with rolling elements includes a flexible fork having a base section and a plurality of fork arms and a plurality of rolling elements, wherein each rolling element is mounted to a fork arm with eccentric roller bushings, wherein each rolling element is mounted at the distal end of a fork arm, and wherein the rolling elements are configured to apply a compressive stress to articles received by the deep rolling tool.