A method of electro-dynamically matching a bearing assembly includes electrically separating inner and outer races from rolling elements of the bearing assembly with lubricant and rotating the inner race relative to the outer race. A voltage differential is applied across the inner and the outer races and via isolated rolling elements and the race eroded an electrical discharge event across a gap defined between the one or more of the races and rolling elements. Electro-dynamically matched bearing assemblies and reaction/momentum flywheel arrangements for artificial satellites are also described.

A method of electrodynamically finishing a plain bearing includes electrically separating a bearing housing from a journal shaft with a lubricant disposed on a bearing surface of the bearing housing. The bearing housing or the bearing housing is rotated relative to the other and a voltage differential applied across the bearing housing and the journal shaft. One or more asperities disposed on the bearing surface are eroded with electric discharge events between the journal shaft and the bearing housing. Electrodynamically finished bearing assemblies and reaction/momentum wheel arrangements having such bearing assemblies are also described.

A method of electro-dynamically matching a bearing assembly includes electrically separating inner and outer races from rolling elements of the bearing assembly with lubricant and rotating the inner race relative to the outer race. A voltage differential is applied across the inner and the outer races and via isolated rolling elements and the race eroded an electrical discharge event across a gap defined between the one or more of the races and rolling elements. Electro-dynamically matched bearing assemblies and reaction/momentum flywheel arrangements for artificial satellites are also described.

A method of electrodynamically finishing a plain bearing includes electrically separating a bearing housing from a journal shaft with a lubricant disposed on a bearing surface of the bearing housing. The bearing housing or the bearing housing is rotated relative to the other and a voltage differential applied across the bearing housing and the journal shaft. One or more asperities disposed on the bearing surface are eroded with electric discharge events between the journal shaft and the bearing housing. Electrodynamically finished bearing assemblies and reaction/momentum wheel arrangements having such bearing assemblies are also described.

For friction reduction in sliding bearing, it is known to structure the sliding surface (1) by ECM by introducing a plurality of microscopic small indentations (27). According to the invention it is proposed in particular in the same process step to smoothen also the intermediary spaces (6) between the indentations (27), thus to remove the tips of the surface profile.

In order to reduce friction of a crank shaft during operation by a large amount with low complexity through structuring sliding bearing surfaces (1) of the crank shaft through controlled introduction of microscopically small indentations (27) it is proposed for the center bearings and the crank bearings to only structure highly loaded portions of the bearing surface in circumferential direction and also in axial direction since this is already difficult to achieve in view of the operating gap towards the tool that only has a size of a few m.

A method for manufacturing a pivot bearing (1) for the pivoting of a timepiece component (2), in particular a pivot stone, includes:boring (E1) a hole (10a) in a bearing blank (1a) along an axis (A1) intended for the pivoting of a timepiece component (2), this hole (10a) forming a start point (13a) of a first pivot zone (13) of the bearing (1), thenlaser engraving (E2), in the blank (1a), in particular using a femtosecond laser, a second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1), juxtaposed with the start point (13a) of a first pivot zone (13), this second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1) opening at a first face (11a) of the bearing (1) blank (1a), thenremoving material by wear (E3), in particular by olive-cutting, at the start point (13a) of the first pivot zone (13) of the bearing (1) and a boundary zone (14a) between the start point (13a) and the second clearance zone (14) of the bearing (1) in order to form a first pivot zone (13) and a second clearance zone (14) that are juxtaposed, connected to each other by a rounded connection.