An apparatus for backward flow forming a material may comprise a mandrel having a headstock at a proximate end of the mandrel, the mandrel configured to rotate about an axis, a plurality of rollers disposed radially outward of the mandrel configured to exert force on the material to form a work piece at a plastic deformation zone, wherein the work piece flows from the plastic deformation zone between the plurality of rollers and the mandrel toward a distal end of the mandrel, and a catcher, coaxial to the mandrel, and removably coupled to the work piece at a traveling end of the work piece.

This method for producing a steel member includes: a carburizing step of causing carbon to infiltrate into a steel member in an austenitized state by heating the steel member to a temperature equal to or higher than an austenitic transformation completion temperature, at a carbon concentration at which the steel member and the carbon have a hypoeutectoid composition, and removing cold from the steel member in which the carbon has been caused to infiltrate; and a quenching step of, after the carburizing step, heating the steel member again to a temperature equal to or higher than the austenitic transformation completion temperature, and rapidly cooling the steel member that has been heated.

A method of hardening an article of manufacture that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis made of a material that is capable of being hardened and that is intended for a particular use is provided. The method may comprise locally heating the material at a first location found on the article along the axis to a first predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis and locally heating the material at a second location found on the article along the axis to a second predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis, wherein the first predetermined depth is different than the second predetermined depth.

A method of hardening an article of manufacture that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis made of a material that is capable of being hardened and that is intended for a particular use is provided. The method may comprise locally heating the material at a first location found on the article along the axis to a first predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis and locally heating the material at a second location found on the article along the axis to a second predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis, wherein the first predetermined depth is different than the second predetermined depth.

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for induction heating a helical rotor of a progressing cavity pump in order to reduce the surface roughness of the rotor. In order to heat the rotor most evenly, it is desired to space the coil as closely around the rotor as possible. The invention provides a mechanism for threading the helical rotor through an induction coil having an interior diameter which is less than the major diameter of the rotor. The induction coil may include one loop and overlapping ends. The rotor to be heated is rotated about its longitudinal axis and advanced axially through the coil as it rotates. The axial speed and rotational speed are synchronized so that the rotor moves one pitch through the coil for each complete rotation.

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for induction heating a helical rotor of a progressing cavity pump in order to reduce the surface roughness of the rotor. In order to heat the rotor most evenly, it is desired to space the coil as closely around the rotor as possible. The invention provides a mechanism for threading the helical rotor through an induction coil having an interior diameter which is less than the major diameter of the rotor. The induction coil may include one loop and overlapping ends. The rotor to be heated is rotated about its longitudinal axis and advanced axially through the coil as it rotates. The axial speed and rotational speed are synchronized so that the rotor moves one pitch through the coil for each complete rotation.

A method for manufacturing an at least sectionally spherical-cap-shaped recess on a drive shaft for a hydrostatic axial piston machine includes whirling of the recess and heat treatment of the recess to form a wear layer. A drive shaft for a hydrostatic axial piston machine includes at least one recess manufactured according to the method. A hydrostatic axial piston machine includes a drive shaft with at least one recess manufactured according to the method.

A method for manufacturing an at least sectionally spherical-cap-shaped recess on a drive shaft for a hydrostatic axial piston machine includes whirling of the recess and heat treatment of the recess to form a wear layer. A drive shaft for a hydrostatic axial piston machine includes at least one recess manufactured according to the method. A hydrostatic axial piston machine includes a drive shaft with at least one recess manufactured according to the method.

A steel alloy is disclosed that provides a unique combination of strength, toughness, and fatigue life. The steel alloy has the following composition in weight percent. C about 0.15 to about 0.30 Mn about 1.7 to about 2.3 Si about 0.7 to about 1.1 Cr about 1.85 to about 2.35 Ni about 0.5 to about 0.9 Mo+W about 0.1 to about 0.3 Cu about 0.3 to about 0.7 V+ 5/9Nb about 0.2 to about 0.5

The balance of the alloy is iron, usual impurities, and residual amounts of other elements added during melting for deoxidizing and/or desulfurizing the alloy. A hardened and tempered steel article made from the alloy is also disclosed.

A steel alloy is disclosed that provides a unique combination of strength, toughness, and fatigue life. The steel alloy has the following composition in weight percent. C about 0.15 to about 0.30 Mn about 1.7 to about 2.3 Si about 0.7 to about 1.1 Cr about 1.85 to about 2.35 Ni about 0.5 to about 0.9 Mo+W about 0.1 to about 0.3 Cu about 0.3 to about 0.7 V+ 5/9Nb about 0.2 to about 0.5

The balance of the alloy is iron, usual impurities, and residual amounts of other elements added during melting for deoxidizing and/or desulfurizing the alloy. A hardened and tempered steel article made from the alloy is also disclosed.