Laser Surface Restoration of Rolling Cylinders With Profile Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for restoring the surface of rolling cylinders in rolling mills, such as grinding with a grinding wheel, are energy-inefficient, costly, generate significant waste, and require high thermal energy, leading to high operational costs and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A laser-based apparatus and method for grinding the lateral surface of cylindrical bodies, utilizing pulsed laser beams with high peak power for efficient material removal, coupled with a profile detector and gas nozzle to optimize the grinding process and minimize waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional grinding with a grinding wheel is used to restore the surface of rolling cylinders, then the surface roughness can be restored to the required tolerance, but the energy consumption is high and significant waste is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface roughness restorationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical grinding system with a laser-based processing system. The laser beam directly作用于 the cylinder surface to remove material and restore surface roughness, eliminating the need for mechanical contact between a grinding wheel and the cylinder. This substitution significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining manufacturing precision for surface restoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes controllable laser parameters (power, pulse duration, scanning speed) to optimize the material removal process. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves the required surface roughness restoration with minimal energy input compared to conventional grinding, which operates at fixed high power levels regardless of the actual material removal needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional grinding with a grinding wheel is used to restore the surface of rolling cylinders, then the surface defects can be eliminated, but significant waste material and cooling fluid are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface defect eliminationVSAvoidwaste generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The laser-based system replaces mechanical grinding, eliminating the generation of wet sludge waste that combines metal chips, emery grains, binder resin particles, and emulsified cooling fluid. The laser process produces minimal waste in the form of vaporized or ablated material that can be more easily managed and disposed of.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The laser processing method removes material in a controlled manner, vaporizing or ablocking only the necessary surface layer to eliminate defects and restore roughness. This precise material removal minimizes waste generation compared to conventional grinding which removes excessive material along with the required surface layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional grinding with a grinding wheel is used to restore the surface of rolling cylinders, then the surface roughness can be restored, but high thermal energy is required leading to high operational costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface roughness restorationVSAvoidthermal energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermally intensive mechanical grinding process with a laser-based system that uses optical energy for material removal. The laser beam delivers energy directly to the surface in a highly localized and controllable manner, reducing overall thermal energy consumption and associated operational costs while achieving the same surface restoration results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The laser-based method reduces energy consumption, minimizes waste generation, and lowers operational costs while effectively restoring the surface characteristics of rolling cylinders, enhancing processing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

A laser-based apparatus and method for grinding the lateral surface of cylindrical bodies, utilizing pulsed laser beams with high peak power for efficient material removal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP4380737B1Apparatus and process for surface processing of cylindrical bodies, in particular rolling cylinders
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 TENOVA
  • EP4380737B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4380737B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4380737B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6a

AI summary

Apparatus (10) and method for surface processing of cylindrical bodies (1), particularly for surface restoration of laminating cylinders. The apparatus includes a workstation (100) configured to receive a cylindrical body having a lateral surface movable by rotation about an axis of rotation K, a laser emitter (600) cooperating with the workstation and configured to emit at least one laser beam, a profile detector (700) configured to detect a detected surface profile of the lateral surface of the cylindrical body, and a control unit (15) operatively configured to perform at least one procedure for restoring the lateral surface of the cylindrical body. The restoration procedure includes a procedure for detecting the surface profile of the cylindrical body, including a step of comparing the detected surface profile with a target surface profile, and a removal procedure including a step of emitting the laser beam on the cylindrical body to remove metallic material and to obtain the target surface profile.