Laser-welded bearing and method of making same

摘要

A bimetal sleeve bearing has an axial seam that is laser welded so that both the soft inner layer and hard outer layer of the sleeve are continuous and homogeneous without internal or surface cracks. The seam edges are cut and abutted so as to form an axial groove in the inner surface of the outer layer. During the laser welding operation, fused material from the inner layer flows into the groove to form a crack-free lining for the bearing.