Method of and machine for grinding a roll

Abstract

A method and machine for grinding a rolling mill roll in which the grinding wheel is rotated against the working surface of the rotating mill roll and is displaced back and forth longitudinally along this surface and simultaneously or subsequently the surface is examined for defects by sensors capable of evaluating the geometry of the roll surface. The measured results are compared with stored images or data representing defects in the surface and measured surface defects are compared with the stored data and if they exceed a certain threshold or defect tolerance, an appropriate output is provided by the grinding machine.

1 . A method of grinding a roll comprising the steps of: 
 (a) mounting a roll for the rolling of workpieces in a roll-grinding machine having a grinding wheel engageable with said roll and grinding a working surface of said roll therewith;    (b) subsequent to or simultaneously with the grinding of said working surface of said roll, scanning said working surface of said roll for defects with at least one sensor on said machine capable of recognizing the geometry of said working surface;    (c) then automatically evaluating results of the scanning in step (b) by automatically comparing the results with stored data as to qualities of said surface; and    (d) automatically outputting information as to the evaluation in step (c).    
   
   
       2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the stored data includes at least one data set selected from a data set of data describing set-point qualities of said working surface and a data set of data describing typical defects of said working surface.  
   
   
       3 . The method defined in  claim 2  wherein the scanning is carried out in step (b) with an optical sensor.  
   
   
       4 . The method defined in  claim 3  wherein the information outputted in step (d) is a warning signal produced when the result of the evaluation in step (c) indicates a deviation of a measurement of said surface from the stored data exceeding a predetermined and stored tolerance.  
   
   
       5 . The method defined in  claim 4  wherein the information outputted in step (d) is displayed graphically on a cabinet of the machine.  
   
   
       6 . The method defined in  claim 4  wherein the information outputted in step (d) is displayed in printed form.  
   
   
       7 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the scanning is carried out in step (b) with an optical sensor.  
   
   
       8 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the information outputted in step (d) is a warning signal produced when the result of the evaluation in step (c) indicates a deviation of a measurement of said surface from the stored data exceeding a predetermined and stored tolerance.  
   
   
       9 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the information outputted in step (d) is displayed graphically on a cabinet of the machine.  
   
   
       10 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein the information outputted in step (d) is displayed in printed form.  
   
   
       11 . A roll-grinding machine comprising: 
 a machine structure for receiving and rotating a roll for the rolling of workpieces;    a grinding wheel engageable with said roll for grinding a working surface of said roll;    at least one sensor capable of recognizing the geometry of said working surface for scanning said working surface of said roll for defects subsequent to or simultaneously with the grinding of said working surface of said roll;    circuitry connected to said sensor for automatically evaluating results of the scanning by automatically comparing the results with stored data as to qualities of said surface; and    a device connected to said circuitry for automatically outputting information as to the evaluation.    
   
   
       12 . The roll-grinding machine defined in  claim 11  wherein said sensor capable of recognizing the geometry of said working surface includes a laser.  
   
   
       13 . The roll-grinding machine defined in  claim 12  wherein said sensor capable of recognizing the geometry of said working surface includes a camera.  
   
   
       14 . The roll-grinding machine defined in  claim 13  wherein said camera is a digital camera.  
   
   
       15 . The roll-grinding machine defined in  claim 11  wherein said sensor capable of recognizing the geometry of said working surface includes a camera.  
   
   
       16 . The roll-grinding machine defined in  claim 15  wherein said camera is a digital camera.  
   
   
       17 . The roll-grinding machine defined in  claim 11 , further comprising a digital memory connected to said circuit for stored data including at least one data set selected from a data set of data describing set-point qualities of said working surface and a data set of data describing typical defects of said working surface.