Machine and method for surface treatment of rolling mill rolls

Abstract

A machine (10) for performing surface treatments on rolling mill rolls is disclosed, which comprises a support structure (100) extending along a longitudinal direction of extension (Y), an envelope (50) arranged to cover at least a part of the support structure (100), at least two supports (101) arranged opposite each other on the support structure (100) and aligned along a rotation axis (K) parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension (Y) and arranged to support a roll (1) having a surface to be treated (2), a rotary motor (102) slidably connected to the support structure (100) and arranged to rotate the roll (1) when supported by the two supports (101), and a rotary motor (102) arranged to rotate the roll (1) when supported by the two supports (101), and a rotary motor (102) slidably connected to the support structure (100) and arranged to rotate at least a part of the surface (2) of the roll (1). the polishing group (20) having a polishing tool (203) capable of facing the roll (1) and moving across a working area (200) to polish at least a portion of the surface (2) of the roll (1); a texture group (40) slidably connected to the support structure (100) and having a laser head (403) capable of facing the roll (1) and moving across the working area (200) to texture at least a portion of the surface (2) of the roll (1); and a control unit (60) provided in signal communication with the polishing group (20) and the texture group (40) and configured to control the polishing group (20) and the texture group (40).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for the surface treatment of cylinders, in particular rolling mill rolls, for hot or cold rolling mills for producing flat rolled metal products, such as metal sheet tapes of steel, aluminium or other metallic materials.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method for applying a surface treatment to a roll by means of said machine.

[0003] The present invention is useful for use in restoring rolls to proper condition after use. [Background technology]

[0004] The use of rolls to obtain rolled metal products from thick semi-finished metal products is known in the art, in particular the thickness of such semi-finished products is reduced by forcing them to pass between two or more rolls spaced a set distance apart.

[0005] It is also known that rolls gradually deteriorate after a certain number of working hours in the rolling mill or after a certain amount of rolled material due to contact with the material being rolled. Such deterioration occurs in various ways depending on the type of treatment carried out and the material being treated, as follows: - Impurities accumulated on the surface of the roll due to lubricants, metal residues such as flakes, abrasives, etc. - surface wear, which is the loss of features of the surface roughness that are useful for providing the required roughness of the semi-finished metal product during processing (for example, the roughness expressed in terms of Ra (arithmetic mean roughness) or Rpc (number of peaks) undergoes a change in the value of the parameter higher than a given limit value (for example 20% of the nominal value) - Profile wear (the correct profile needed to compensate for roll bending during rolling may be lost) - Cracks and other localized damage of various types, shapes and depths - Work hardening of the surface layer - Fatigue layer (oligocyclic fatigue phenomenon occurs when the surface layer is subjected to high stress exceeding the material's yield point) - Other damage (scratches, rolling marks, etc.)

[0006] After such deterioration, specific surface treatments for material removal are performed in order to re-establish the proper dimensional, geometrical and structural operating conditions of the roll (e.g. geometric profile, surface shape, etc.). To perform such treatments, the roll must therefore be temporarily removed from the rolling mill stand and replaced with a similar roll.

[0007] The first type of treatment consists in reconditioning the surface of the roll by removing a certain thickness of material from it. This treatment, known as polishing, is generally carried out using abrasive wheels and makes it possible to restore the profile, i.e. the shape, roundness and eccentricity within the tolerances required by the rolling mill, to remove as far as possible surface defects such as cracks or dents, and to restore the correct roughness in terms of Ra and / or Rpc.

[0008] The second type of treatment, which is optional after polishing, is known as texturing and has the purpose of giving the roll surface a defined roughness characteristic. In fact, the roughness of the rolls affects the roughness of the rolled product and improves its characteristics, such as formability, paintability, etc. Texturing treatments are carried out on certain types of rolls, such as rolls for cold rolling, especially for the final stage of rolling, the so-called "skin pass".

[0009] Texturing is performed, for example, by sandblasting (shot blasting), electrostatic discharge (electric discharge texturing, EDT), electron beam (electron beam texturing, EBT), or laser beam (laser beam texturing, LBT, and / or laser texturing, LT).

[0010] Among these, laser beam texturing allows obtaining the widest variety of surface shapes on a roll, due to the precise control of the many parameters that influence the process, such as the average and peak power of the laser, the size and shape of the beam, the focusing conditions of the beam, etc.

[0011] To this day, roll polishing and texturing processes are performed on dedicated machines that are distinct and separate from one another, with different characteristics, each designated for a specific process.

[0012] For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a roll texturing machine configured with a laser head.

[0013] Instead, US Pat. No. 5,399,633 discloses a method for producing a roll having a specific surface structure.

[0014] Unfortunately, moving the rolls between the polishing and texturing machines is difficult due to the size and weight of the rolls. The need to move the rolls between one machine and another adds additional processing time to the rolls themselves.

[0015] Disadvantages include the presence of two separate machines, which is reflected, for example, in the occupation of a larger space due to the connections, and also in the depreciation and plant costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0016] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021005489A1 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Publication No. 2794178B1 [Patent Document 3] European Patent Publication No. 2808099 B1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0017] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, in particular to design a machine and a method for surface treatment of rolls, which allows reducing the treatment of the rolls themselves.

[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine and method for performing a surface treatment on a roll which requires less time to restore the surface features of the roll.

[0019] A further object of the invention is to produce a machine and a method for carrying out surface treatments on rolls which makes it possible to save space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] These and other objects according to the invention are achieved by producing a machine and a method for surface treatment of rolls according to the independent claims 1 and 20.

[0021] The characteristics and advantages of the machine and method for performing a surface treatment on a roll, according to the invention, will become more apparent from the following illustrative, and therefore non-limiting, description, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of a machine for applying a surface treatment to a roll according to the present invention. [Figure 1a] FIG. 1 shows a top view of one embodiment of a machine for applying a surface treatment to a roll according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a second embodiment of a machine for applying a surface treatment to rolls according to the invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a third embodiment of a machine for applying a surface treatment to rolls according to the invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 shows a top view of a fourth embodiment of a machine for applying a surface treatment to rolls according to the invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 shows a top view of a fifth embodiment of a machine for performing a surface treatment on rolls according to the invention. [Figure 6] 1 shows a cross-sectional view showing details of an embodiment of a machine for performing a surface treatment on a roll according to the invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a side view showing further details of the machine for surface treatment of rolls according to the invention. [Figure 7a] FIG. 2 shows a side view showing further details of the machine for surface treatment of rolls according to the invention. [Figure 7b] FIG. 2 shows a side view showing further details of the machine for surface treatment of rolls according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] With reference to the accompanying drawings, a machine for performing a surface treatment on a roll 1, designated by the reference numeral 10, will now be described.

[0024] The machine 10 comprises a support structure 100 extending along a longitudinal direction of extension (Y).

[0025] Preferably, the machine 10 includes an envelope 50 disposed to at least partially cover the support structure 100. Details of the envelope 50 are provided later in this disclosure.

[0026] The machine 10 comprises at least two supports 101 arranged on a support structure 100. The supports 101 are aligned opposite each other and parallel to the longitudinal advancement direction Y and along an axis of rotation K which represents the axis about which the roll 1 can rotate while the treatment is carried out.

[0027] In particular, the support 101 is configured to support a roll 1 having a surface 2 to be treated.

[0028] The envelope 50 described above is at least partially openable and closable to allow positioning and removal of the roll 1 between the supports 101 .

[0029] More precisely, the roll 1 is always provided at its flat end faces with two cone-shaped machined parts, called centers 5, used to support the roll during its manufacture, and further has two respective first intermediate parts, known as necks 6, in which slide bearings are mounted for inserting the roll 1 into a rolling mill, and two respective second intermediate parts, known as shoulders 7, adjacent to the first intermediate parts. Adjacent to the shoulders 7, the roll 1 comprises a central part, known as the table 4. It should be noted that the surface 2 of the roll 1 to be treated is a part of the surface of the table 4, or the entire surface of the table 4.

[0030] It should therefore be noted that the support 101 can be adapted to support the roll 1 to be processed at the core 5. Alternatively, the support 101 is adapted to support the roll 1 at the neck 6.

[0031] In a further alternative embodiment, the roll 1 is supported on the shoulder 7, for example when the roll 1 to be treated is placed in the machine 10 without removing the roll chocks. Incidentally, the term "roll chock" denotes a prismatic structure made of steel or cast iron, which serves as an interface between the roll 1 and the rolling mill.

[0032] The machine 10 can also comprise two or more supports 101 according to the various techniques mentioned above for supporting the roll 1, in particular a support 101 adapted to hold the roll 1 at the centre 5 and a further support 101 adapted to support the roll 1 at the neck 6 or at the shoulder 7. Advantageously, this increases the flexibility of operation of the machine 10.

[0033] The support 101 will be described in more detail later in this disclosure.

[0034] The machine 10 also comprises a rotation motor 102 configured to rotate the roll 1 when supported by the two supports 101. In particular, the rotation motor 102 rotates the roll 1 about a rotation axis K, so that the roll 1 can rotate about the rotation axis K while being constrained by the supports 101 to perform a treatment.

[0035] Preferably, the rotary motor 102 is integrated into one of the two supports 101 .

[0036] The machine 10 comprises a grinding group 20 slidably connected to the support structure 100. In particular, the grinding group 20 is configured to slide along a first direction Z parallel to the longitudinal extension direction Y. The grinding group comprises a grinding tool 203 that can face the roll 1 when inserted between the supports 101. In particular, the grinding tool 203 is movable over a working area 200 for grinding at least a part of the surface 2 of the roll 1.

[0037] The grinding tool 203 is realized by, for example, a grindstone.

[0038] The sanding group 20 further comprises a sanding motor 204 configured to drive the sanding tool 203 .

[0039] Further details regarding the abrasive group 20 are provided later in this disclosure.

[0040] According to the invention, the machine 10 also comprises a texturing group 40 slidably connected to the support structure 100. In particular, the texturing group 40 is configured to slide along a second direction Z' parallel to the longitudinal extension direction Y.

[0041] More specifically, the texturing group 40 comprises a laser head 403 that can face the roll 1 when inserted between the supports 101. In particular, the laser head 403 is movable over the working area 200 for texturing at least a portion of the surface 2 of the roll 1.

[0042] The laser head 403 is configured to irradiate a laser beam (not shown) toward the surface 2 of the roll 1. Accordingly, the laser head 403 is connected to a laser light source 404.

[0043] The envelope 50 described above is made of a material that is opaque to laser light.

[0044] Advantageously, the envelope 50 provides a safety barrier against laser light when the texturing group 40 is activated.

[0045] Moreover, the envelope 50 makes it possible to contain the residues of the treatments carried out on the roll 1. In particular, the envelope 50 is able to encapsulate the metal powder generated by the laser, by local sublimation of the material of the roll 1.

[0046] Advantageously, the envelope 50 also makes it possible to avoid the escape of steam generated during the polishing process, thereby allowing it to be collected and treated via a dedicated section (not shown in the drawings).

[0047] The laser source 404 may be continuous or pulsed. In the case of a continuous laser source 404, the laser head 403 may be controlled to turn on and off according to a deterministic or stochastic time trend.

[0048] The laser beam emitted by the laser source 404 is transmitted to the laser head 403 by an optical fiber 405. The laser head 403 is thus connected to the laser source 404 via the optical fiber 405. As an alternative to the optical fiber 405, it is also possible to provide a system of mirrors for transmitting the laser beam.

[0049] The texturing group 40 preferably comprises at least one measuring device 406 configured to measure the distance between the laser head 403 and the surface 2 of the roll 1 .

[0050] It should be noted that with the machine 10 according to the invention it is possible to carry out the operations of polishing, texturing or both on a roll 1 that is placed only once between the two supports 101. In other words, the machine 10 according to the invention makes it possible to carry out polishing or texturing alternately without having to displace the roll from its position, i.e. between the supports 101.

[0051] In particular, the support 101 defines a seat for the roll 1 to be treated, which seat is specific for both of the treatments to be carried out on the surface 2 of the roll 1 .

[0052] Preferably, the support structure 100 comprises a first guide portion 110 and a second guide portion 120. The first guide portion 110 and the second guide portion 120 are spaced apart from each other and parallel with respect to the longitudinal extension direction Y. The first guide portion 110 extends along a first direction Z.

[0053] The second guide portion 120 extends along the second direction Z'.

[0054] The second guide portion 120 extends longitudinally between a first end 121 and a second end 122. Details regarding the first end 121 and the second end 122 of the second guide portion 120 will be reported later in this disclosure.

[0055] Specifically, the polishing group 20 is slidably coupled to the first guiding portion 110. Meanwhile, the texturing group 40 is slidably coupled to the second guiding portion 120. Thus, the polishing group 20 and the texturing group 40 are separated from each other.

[0056] The abrasive group 20 is configured to translate along a first direction Z, while the texturing group 40 is configured to translate along a second direction Z'.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the first guiding part 110 and the second guiding part 120 are parallel to each other and are arranged on opposite sides of the support structure 100 with respect to the axis of rotation K.

[0058] Thus, the abrasive group 20 and the texturing group 40 are also on opposite sides to the roll 1 when the roll 1 is placed between the two supports 101 .

[0059] Preferably, the machine 10 includes a controller 60 configured to control the polishing group 20 and the texturing group 40 .

[0060] Thus, the controller 60 is placed in signal communication with at least the polishing group 20 and the texturing group 40 .

[0061] The controller 60 is further disposed in signal communication with a rotation motor 102 .

[0062] More specifically, the grinding group 20 comprises a first carriage 201 slidably coupled to the first guiding part 110. The grinding group 20 further comprises a first sliding part 202 coupled to the first carriage 201 and configured to slide relative to the first carriage 201 along a first direction Z, i.e. a first transverse direction T perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y of deployment.

[0063] The grinding tool 203 is connected via a spindle (not shown in the drawing) to a grinding motor 204 arranged continuously on the first slide 202. This allows the grinding tool 203 to move laterally and longitudinally relative to the surface 2 of the roll 1 and to reach each point of the surface 2 to be treated.

[0064] To move the first carriage 201 and the sliding part 202, the polishing group 20 is provided with a first actuator (not shown in Figures 1 and 2-5, but indicated diagrammatically in Figure 1a with reference number 211).

[0065] In particular, the first actuator is in signal communication with the control unit 60 and is configured to move the first carriage 201 and the first sliding portion 202 .

[0066] The texturing group 40 comprises a second carriage 401 slidably coupled to the second guide 120 .

[0067] The texturing group 40 comprises a second slide 402 coupled to the second carriage 401 and configured to slide relative to the second carriage 401 along a second lateral direction T′ perpendicular to the longitudinal progression direction Y. The laser head 403 is arranged on the second slide 402. Correspondingly, the laser source 404 may also be connected to the second slide 402 or to the second carriage 401.

[0068] Alternatively, the laser source 404 may be positioned in a fixed position relative to the support structure 100 depending on the type of laser beam used, i.e., the size and weight of the laser source 404, and the limitations imposed by the length of the optical fiber 405 that transmits the laser beam from the laser source 404 to the laser head 403.

[0069] To move the second carriage 401 and the second sliding part 402, the texturing group 40 comprises a second actuator (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2-5, only indicated by reference numeral 411 in FIG. 1a). The second actuator is in signal communication with the control part 60 and is configured to move the second carriage 401 and the second sliding part 402.

[0070] The first actuator and the second actuator are, for example, linear electric motor types, or are, for example, control devices equipped with motors and recirculating ball screws, so long as they ensure high displacement accuracy and high responsiveness in terms of being controlled by the control unit 60.

[0071] The control unit 60 is further arranged to be able to signally communicate with the polishing motor 204 and the laser head 403 , and is configured to control the polishing motor 204 , i.e., the polishing tool 203 and the laser head 403 .

[0072] In particular, the texturing group 40 is configured to emit laser radiation through a laser head 403 that is directed toward the surface of the roll 1 .

[0073] During operation of the texturing group 40, the roll 1 is rotated, preferably at a constant angular velocity, while the texturing group 40 is simultaneously translated along the second direction Z', preferably at a constant linear speed. The laser beam interacting with the material of the roll 1 during treatment causes local heating and / or local melting and / or local vaporization of the material, depending on the parameters operating the treatment (e.g. average power of the laser, peak power, focusing conditions of the beam, rotation speed of the roll, etc.). In this way it is possible to modify the roughness features of the surface 2 of the roll 1, and a texturing of the roll 1 is obtained.

[0074] The texturing group 40 further comprises a nozzle 407 arranged on the second sliding part 402 and configured to eject gas bubbles onto the surface 2 of the roll 1. For example, the nozzle 407 is configured to eject an inert gas, such as nitrogen, helium, argon, etc. Alternatively, the nozzle 407 is configured to eject a reactive gas, such as oxygen, for example. Advantageously, a chemical change of the surface 2 of the roll 1 can also be obtained.

[0075] Preferably, the machine 10 comprises a stopping area 503 configured to at least partially accommodate the texturing group 40 when the polishing group 20 is operating and / or when the texturing group 40 is not operating. The stopping area 503 is a safety protection area for the texturing group 40, in particular the laser head 403.

[0076] In other words, the stop area 503 is an area in which the texturing group 40 can be kept free from contamination by residues of the grinding process, such as, for example, shavings of abrasive grains and binders and / or metal particles of the roll 1 and grinding tool 203 being treated, and possible droplets of cutting fluid in the form of a spray (i.e., a fluid used during the grinding process, which acts both as a coolant and as a lubricant, as is known).

[0077] Stop area 503 allows for preventing such residue from contacting laser head 403 and potentially damaging the operation of laser head 403 itself and the optics present in laser head 403, and increasing the need for maintenance.

[0078] According to a preferred embodiment, the stop area 503 is arranged at one of the first end 121 and the second end 122 of the second guide 120 .

[0079] Preferably, the stop area 503 is located proximal to the support 101 within which the rotary motor 102 is located.

[0080] More preferably, the stopping area 503 is disposed in the second guiding section 120 at a set minimum safe distance D from the working area 200 as shown in FIG.

[0081] The minimum distance D is selected to place the texturing group 40 sufficiently away from areas undergoing polishing processes characterized by the generation of process residues, as disclosed.

[0082] Preferably, the safe minimum distance D is greater than 0.2 m, more preferably, such safe minimum distance D is greater than 0.5 m, even more preferably, the safe minimum distance D is greater than 1 m.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the ends 121 , 122 where the stop area 503 is located are on the outside of the envelope 50 .

[0084] In other words, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the second guide portion 120 extends partially outside the outer envelope 50 .

[0085] Advantageously, the stop area 503 is kept outside the working area 200. In this case, the envelope 50 has at least an opening to allow the texturing group 40 to move beyond / out of the stop area 503.

[0086] Alternatively, the ends 121, 122 on which the stop area 503 is arranged are inside the outer envelope 50. In other words, the second guide part 120 extends completely inside the outer envelope 50. In this case, the stop area 503 is inside the outer envelope 50, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0087] According to the first embodiment, the stop area 503 is only present in the area of ​​the second guide part 120 for the texturing group 40 in order to maintain a safe minimum distance D from the working area 200 - in particular the area in which the polishing tool 203 can move.

[0088] According to a second embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, the stop area 503 is arranged on the second guiding part 120 and comprises a box-shaped body 502 suitable for accommodating therein the texturing group 40. According to such second embodiment, the box-shaped body 502 is adapted to accommodate the texturing group 40 and to protect it from contaminating residues resulting from such processing.

[0089] Such an embodiment is preferred when the second guide 120 extends completely inside the outer envelope 50. However, such an embodiment is also applicable when the outer envelope 50 has a stop area 503 on its outside.

[0090] The box-shaped body 502 has openable or open walls so that the texturing group 40 can slide inside the box-shaped body 502 .

[0091] Preferably, the machine 10 comprises an instrument group 30 slidably coupled to the first guiding part 110 or the second guiding part 120. In particular, the instrument group 30 comprises an instrument 300 configured to detect a dimensional parameter related to the surface 2 to be treated.

[0092] For example, the instrument 300 is configured to detect the geometric profile of the roll 1 relative to the surface 2 .

[0093] The instrument 300 can also be advantageously used to detect parameters such as the roundness of the table 4 and any possible eccentricity with respect to the axis of rotation K.

[0094] Thus, the instrument 300 can be opposed to the surface 2 of the roll 1 .

[0095] The instrument 300 is further configured to measure the geometric profile of the roll 1 .

[0096] Further preferably, the instrumentation group 30 comprises a surface defect detection system 302. Such a surface defect detection system 302 is adjacent to the instrumentation 300. The surface defect detection system 302 is preferably a system of non-destructive analysis, for example based on eddy currents, ultrasound, etc. Advantageously, the surface defect detection system 302 makes it possible to obtain indications regarding the shape, size and location, including depth within the roll 1, of possible surface defects, both before and after treatment of the roll 1.

[0097] Advantageously, the surface defect detection system 30 can also be used to detect defects that are near but below the surface of the roll.

[0098] Again, the instrument group 30, like the polishing group 20 and the texturing group 40, preferably comprises a third carriage 301 configured to slide in the guide 110 or 120 to which the instrument group 30 is coupled. The instrument group 30 is thus movable along a first direction Z when coupled to the first guide 110 and along a second direction Z' when coupled to the second guide 120.

[0099] The instrument cluster 30 is also disposed in signal communication with a control unit 60 .

[0100] Preferably, the machine 10 comprises a cleaning section 70 associated with the support structure 100 and configured to remove debris and coolant residues from the surface 2 of the roll 1 to be treated.

[0101] Specifically, as described above, the debris may include, for example, swarf or metal powder generated during processing of the roll 1, and may also include cutting fluid and / or lubricating fluid that accumulates after the grinding process.

[0102] The washing section 70 is further configured to dry the roll 1 being treated.

[0103] For example, cleaning section 70 may have one or more brushes and / or cleaning blades and / or nozzles for ejecting compressed air and / or other known components and is configured to contact or be brought into close proximity with roll 1 while roll 1 is rotated.

[0104] The cleaning unit 70 includes a fourth carriage 701 slidably coupled to the first guide unit 110 or the second guide unit 120 .

[0105] The cleaning unit 70 is in signal communication with the control unit 60 .

[0106] In a fifth embodiment, for example as shown in Fig. 5, the support structure 100 comprises a single guide 150. Thus, according to such an embodiment, the first carriage 201 and the fourth carriage 701 slide on the single guide 150, on which also the second carriage 401 and the third carriage 301 slide. In the particular embodiment of Fig. 5, such a single guide 150 is arranged on the side of the machine 10 and extends along the third direction Z''. In such an embodiment, in order to move the carriages 201, 301, 401, 701, it is necessary to displace the carriages 201, 301, 401, 701 present in a part of the single guide 150, since such part needs to be free and accessible. Thus, moving the single carriages 201, 301, 401, 701 is time-consuming and cumbersome, which is associated with an increase in processing time. Furthermore, according to such an embodiment, the first end 121 and the second end 122 necessarily need to have adequate space (not shown in the drawings) to accommodate the carriage 201, 301, 401, 701 during steps when the carriage 201, 301, 401, 701 is not in operation.

[0107] The above-mentioned embodiment with two guides separated from each other is preferred over the embodiment with a single guide 150, since it allows the carriages 201, 301, 401, 701 to be moved more smoothly, reducing the number of displacements required and therefore the processing time. Furthermore, for the same maximum length of the processable table 4, the overall dimensions of the machine 10 along the longitudinal direction Y of development are smaller in the case of the machine 10 with the separated first guide 110 and second guide 120, since no extra space needs to be provided for the installation of the carriages 201, 301, 401, 701, allowing a more compact size.

[0108] Preferably, the machine 10 comprises air suction and filtering means 501 arranged to suction and filter the air within the envelope 50 , in particular within the working area 200 .

[0109] The air suction and filtering means 501 is also in signal communication with the control unit 60 .

[0110] Such air suction and filtering means 501 is arranged in the envelope 50, preferably in an opposite position to the stop area 503. Advantageously, the aspirated flow is kept separated from the stop area 503 without impinging on it, whereby the laser head 403 is further protected from impacts and / or possible accumulation of circulating waste products.

[0111] According to a preferred embodiment, the laser head 403 is configured to emit an air flow when the polishing group 20 is working and / or when the texturing group 40 is in the stop area 503. Thus, the laser head 403 shown in FIG. 6 has a side channel 410 for the air supply. In particular, the laser head 403 has an exit port 409 for the laser beam, such channel 410 being in fluid communication with such port 409. Thus, the air flow is emitted from the same port 409 from which the laser beam is emitted when the polishing group 20 is working. Advantageously, the air flow further limits the risk of impurity deposition by directing away from the port 409 any residue or debris that may reach the laser head 403.

[0112] According to a further embodiment, shown in Fig. 4, the support structure 100 comprises a first part 130 and a second part 140 separated from each other and rigidly joined. In particular, the first guide 110 is associated with the first part 130 and the second guide 120 is associated with the second part 140.

[0113] More specifically, the first and second parts 130, 140 are rigidly connected to the same base (not shown) that allows them to remain in position relative to one another to minimize relative displacement. It should be noted that such an embodiment is preferred for large machines 10.

[0114] With regard to the support 101, it should be noted that in grinding processes the roll is usually supported on the neck 6 or, more rarely, on the shoulder 7. In this case, the support 101 comprises two steady rests 101b, as shown in figures 7, 7a and 7b. In particular, the steady rest 101b has two plain bearings 101c.

[0115] Such a steady rest 101b, in addition to bearing the weight of the roll 1, makes it possible to effectively counter the radial thrust generated by the grinding tool 203 during processing, limiting the bending of the roll 1 and avoiding the introduction of vibrations or instability phenomena that would significantly deteriorate the processing quality.

[0116] Optionally, the support 101 further comprises two alignment members called bumpers 103. Such bumpers 103 are shown in FIG. 7, facing each other and aligned along the axis of rotation K. The bumpers 103 are arranged to act as alignments on the end faces of the centre 5 of the roll 1 and to prevent possible displacements along the axis of rotation K. This arrangement, i.e. the support on the neck 6 and the axial restraint by the bumpers 103 only, is suitable to manage the rotational speeds of the roll 1 typically used in grinding processes, which may be of the order of 50-100 rpm.

[0117] Additionally, bumper 103 is used to radially decouple roll 1 from headstock and tailstock system 101a (described in more detail below), which advantageously avoids a hyperstatic constraint condition of roll 1 that would cause excessive wear of headstock and tailstock system 101a and / or steady rest 101b.

[0118] Instead, the texturing process with the laser head 403 usually requires a higher rotation speed, for example 300 rpm or more. This requirement is related to the size of the laser head 403, whose prints on the roll 1 have sizes of the order of μm. In order to minimize the processing time, it is therefore useful to set the rotation speed of the roll at a value significantly higher than that of the polishing operation. In this respect, the support on the neck 6 is not suitable for controlling the rotation speed required for texturing. For this reason, in such a step, the roll is supported on the center 5. In particular, the support 101 comprises the above-mentioned headstock and tailstock system 101a, which is arranged to support the roll 1 on the center 5, as can be seen in Fig. 7, Fig. 7a and Fig. 7b. In fact, such a type of support is more suitable for high speed rotation than the support by the steady rest 101b.

[0119] Thus, in a preferred configuration, the machine 10 includes both a steady rest 101b and a headstock and tailstock system 101a.

[0120] In particular, as shown in FIG. 7a, it is possible that during the grinding step the roll 1 is supported on the neck 6 by the steady rest 101b, while at the same time the headstock and tailstock system 101a is merely engaged at the center 5 only for joining the roll 1. In order to avoid hyperstatic conditions, a certain play must be provided between the member 101a and the center 5 of the roll 1. Then, at the end of the grinding process, before moving on to the texturing process, the headstock and tailstock system 101a is pressed further against the center 5 to bear the weight of the roll 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 7b, the above-mentioned sliding bearing for holding the neck 6 is released and slightly pulled away from the surface of the neck 6. At this point, it is possible to continue the texturing process by setting a new rotation speed of the roll 1.

[0121] During the grinding step, the roll 1 is supported by a steady rest 101b and rotated by a spindle by means of a guard plate and drive collar (with drive dogs) system known per se to the person skilled in the art.

[0122] During the texturing step, the roll 1 is supported by a headstock and tailstock system 101a through which motion is transferred from the spindle to the roll 1.

[0123] It should be noted that such a procedure avoids the use of the bumper 103 and allows a quick switch from one type of restraint to another. Indeed, the bumper 103, if present, is connected to the headstock and tailstock system 101a. Thus, at the end of the grinding process, it is necessary to release the bumper 103 by moving the headstock and tailstock system 101a away, to manually remove the bumper 103, to move the retaining slide bearing 101c a few millimeters while leaving the roll 1 in a position captured by the headstock and tailstock system 101a, and finally to fix the roll 1 there. This requires manual operations, which in turn lengthen the total process time.

[0124] A method for performing a surface treatment on a roll 1 by means of the machine 10 described above also forms part of the invention.

[0125] The method comprises a first step of placing a roll 1 with a surface 2 to be treated between supports 101 .

[0126] Following the first step, the method comprises a further step of detecting dimensional parameters related to the surface 2 to be treated. This step is carried out by the instrument group 30, in particular the above-mentioned instrument 300, and comprises a sub-step of detecting the geometric profile of the roll 1. In particular, such a step is useful for determining quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the surface treatment carried out on the roll 1.

[0127] Then there is the further step of driving the rotation motor 102 to rotate the roll 1 .

[0128] The method provides a step of controlling the polishing group 20 in order to polish the surface 2 to be treated depending on the detected dimensional parameters and on the parameters obtained at the end of the treatment. In particular, such a step is carried out by the above-mentioned control unit 60, which controls the movement of the polishing tool 203 by regulating the movements of the first carriage 201 and the slider 202.

[0129] The method also provides for a step of moving the texturing group 110 from the stopping area 503 to the working area 200 subsequent to the step of controlling the polishing group 20. Such a step is particularly performed at the end of the polishing process.

[0130] Thus, the method comprises a step of controlling the texturing group 40 in response to the detected dimensional parameters to texture the surface 2 to be treated. This step comprises a sub-step of controlling the laser head 403 in order to irradiate the surface 2 of the roll 1 with a laser beam. The step of controlling the texturing group 40 further comprises a sub-step of moving the laser head 403 in order to texture the entire surface 2 of the roll 1 or a part of it. Such sub-steps are also performed by the control unit 60 which controls the movement of the second carriage 401 and the slider 402.

[0131] Following the step of controlling the texturing group 40 to texture the surface 2, i.e. at the end of the texturing process, the method comprises the step of stopping the rotation of the roll 1. Such step is followed by the further steps of placing the texturing group 40 in a stopping area 503 and removing the roll 1 from the machine 10.

[0132] Optionally, between the grinding and texturing processes, a step can be provided for removing debris that may result from the ground roll 1. Such a step is carried out in particular between the steps of controlling the grinding group 20 and moving the texturing group 110 from the parking area 503 to the working area 200.

[0133] The waste removal step is performed via the wash group 70 described above.

[0134] In such a machine 1 it is also possible to carry out on the roll 1 only one of two surface treatments, for example only one polishing treatment or only one texturing treatment.

[0135] Therefore, a step of removing any possible debris from the roll 1 is performed prior to removing the roll 1 from the machine 10 .

[0136] Advantageously, the machine 10 and method described above ensures flexibility of operation so as to maximize the performance of the machine 10 under any condition.

[0137] From the implemented description, the objective features of the machine and method of the present invention are apparent, as are its advantages.

[0138] Finally, it is clear that the machine and method thus invented are susceptible to several modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. Moreover, all details may be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In fact, the materials and dimensions used may be arbitrary, depending on the technical requirements.

Claims

1. A machine for performing a surface treatment on a roll, comprising: a support structure extending along the longitudinal extension direction; an envelope configured to cover at least a portion of the support structure; At least two supports are provided on the support structure opposite each other and aligned along a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal direction of advancement, and configured to support a roll having a surface to be treated; a rotation motor configured to rotate the roll when supported by the two supports; an abrasive group slidably connected to the support structure and including an abrasive tool capable of facing the roll and moving across a working area to abrade at least a portion of the surface of the roll; a texture group including a laser head slidably connected to the support structure and movable across the work area and capable of facing the roll to texture at least a portion of the surface of the roll; a controller in signal communication with the polishing group and the texture group and configured to control the polishing group and the texture group; A machine equipped with:

2. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises first and second guide portions spaced apart from one another and parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension, the abrasive group being slidably coupled to the first guide portion and the texture group being slidably coupled to the second guide portion.

3. 3. A machine according to claim 2, wherein the first guide and the second guide are parallel to each other and are provided on opposite sides of the support structure relative to the axis of rotation.

4. 4. The machine of claim 3, comprising a stop area configured to store at least a portion of the textures when the polishing group is in operation and / or when the textures are not in operation.

5. 5. The machine of claim 4, wherein the second guide portion extends longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and the stop area is provided at one of the first end and the second end of the second guide portion.

6. 6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein the end provided with the stop area is located outside the envelope.

7. 6. A machine according to claim 5, wherein the end provided with the stop area is located inside the envelope.

8. 8. The machine according to claim 7, wherein the stopping area is provided in the second guide section and has a box-shaped body suitable for storing the texture group.

9. 8. A machine according to claim 7, wherein the stopping area is provided on the second guide at a set minimum safe distance from the working area.

10. 10. A machine according to claim 9, wherein the minimum safe distance is greater than 0.2 m.

11. 11. The machine of claim 10, further comprising an instrument cluster slidably coupled to the first guide or the second guide, the instrument cluster comprising an instrument configured to detect a dimensional parameter related to the treated surface.

12. 12. The machine of claim 11, wherein the instrument cluster includes a surface defect detection system.

13. 13. The machine of claim 12, further comprising a cleaning section associated with the support structure and configured to remove processing waste from the surface of the roll during processing.

14. 14. A machine according to claim 13, comprising air suction and filtering means configured to suction and filter air within the working area.

15. 11. The machine of claim 10, wherein the razor head is configured to emit an airflow when the textures are within the stopping area.

16. 16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the support structure has a first portion and a second portion that are separated from one another and rigidly joined, the first guide being associated with the first portion and the second guide being associated with the second portion.

17. 17. The machine of claim 16, the grinding group comprises a first carriage slidable along a first direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of advancement, a first sliding part connected to the first carriage so as to be slidable relative to the first carriage along a first lateral direction perpendicular to the first direction, and first actuating means provided for moving the first carriage and the first sliding part; the texture group comprises a second carriage slidable along a second direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of extension, a second sliding part connected to the second carriage so as to be slidable relative to the second carriage along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the second direction, and second actuation means provided for moving the second carriage and the second sliding part, machine.

18. 18. The machine of claim 17, The at least two supports include: a headstock and tailstock system arranged to support the roll; two steady rests provided to support the roll; Equipped with the headstock and tailstock system and the two steady rests are alternately connectable to the roll; machine.

19. 20. The machine of claim 18, wherein each of the two steady rests includes a pair of plain bearings.

20. A method for applying a surface treatment to a roll by means of a machine according to any one of claims 1 to 19, comprising: an instrument cluster comprising an instrument slidable along a direction parallel to the longitudinal extension direction and configured to detect a dimensional parameter related to the treated surface; a stop area configured to store at least a portion of the textures when the polishing group is activated and / or when the textures are not activated; The method further comprises: positioning a roll having a surface to be treated between the supports; detecting a dimensional parameter associated with the treated surface; rotating the motor to rotate the roll; controlling the abrasive group to abrade the treated surface in response to the detected dimensional parameters; moving the textures from the rest area to the working area; controlling the textures for texturing the treated surface in response to the detected dimensional parameters; and During the step of controlling the polishing group to polish the treated surface, the texture group is contained within the stop area. method.

21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least two supports of the machine include: a headstock and tailstock system arranged to support the roll; two steady rests provided to support the roll; Equipped with the headstock and tailstock system and the two steady rests are alternately coupleable with the roll; The method comprises: during the step of controlling the abrasive group to abrade the surface to be treated, the weight of the roll is supported by the steady rest; during the step of controlling the texture groups to texture the surface to be treated, the weight of the roll is supported by the headstock and tailstock system; A method characterized by:

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