Laser Processing For Advanced Surface Texturing

ended

A digitally controlled self-tuning pulsed laser texturing system capable of becoming the industry benchmark in roll surface texturing for strip steel production offering unique and tailored strip surfaces for lower CAPEX and OPEX compared to current industry texturing systems will be developed. A step from TRL 4/5 to TRL8 will be made by a highly complementary consortium with the right expertise and focus. Based on prior RFCS research and development within the consortium, a fully-fledged laser texturing system will be designed (WP1) and built (WP2) being capable of texturing rolls for the consortium end users within 60 minutes – a period comparable to current Electro-discharge Texturing (EDT) processing and faster than Pretex or EBT for a galvanised strip steel producer, and also for a stainless steel producer. The system will be supported by a user interface to develop tailored texturing programs for either stochastic or deterministic surfaces (WP2) based on a model developed in the STEELTAC project. Special attention will be provided to ensuring sufficiently hard and/or wear resistant surfaces for improved roll longevity and rolled product consistency as well as maximising the laser texturing process for increased material removal rates (WP3), leading to innovations in roll-texturing, roll wear management, surface hardening and product performance, while ensuring a low and attractive total cost of ownership for Steel producers. Rolls will be textured for both galvanised and stainless steel producers and will be demonstrated in pilot and line rolling trials (WP4). The resulting strip products will be be assessed for their functional performance (WP5) (paint appearance, formability, wetting and corrosion). The project will be disseminated through social media, at European and/or global conferences and via a dedicated final workshop (WP6).