The application of fuel saving technologies like fuel-efficient engine oil or the implementation of an automated start-stop system into the engine management leads to increased loadson power train bearings. To improve the durability of these parts, the friction surfaces need to be modified. The optimization of already existing parts can be done by microstructuring of the surfacee.g. via laser ablation. This structuring leads to an improved tribological behavior due to an increased hydrodynamic pressure gain, thus disconnecting the friction partners even with oil of low viscosity.
In order to reduce process time and improve the energy footprint of the process chain with an additional process, the aim of this work is to integrate the laser structuring into a multi process machine. In order to realize the laser ablation without surface damage which is caused by heat input and therefore leads to microstructural transformation, the laser system has to have a pulse duration smaller than 10 picoseconds. The use of such laser systems leads to challenges regarding the beam guidance which is not achievable by glasfibres because of the high pulse peak output exceeding the damage threshold. The guidance therefore has to be implemented by deflection mirrors and integrated into the machining centre.