Method and apparatus for forming a groove pattern on a cylindrical surface

A method for producing a groove pattern on a cylinder surface, the method comprising:

• providing an abrasive module, which comprises an abrasive mesh article and a collector block,
• providing a patterning head, which comprises the abrasive module and a pressing actuator,
• pressing the abrasive module against the cylinder surface by using the actuator,
• forming a plurality of grooves on the cylinder surface by causing relative motion between the abrasive module and the cylinder surface, and
• drawing gas through the abrasive mesh article to remove particles released from the cylinder surface,
• wherein the abrasive mesh article comprises a plurality of abrasive grains bonded to a flexible mesh backing, the collector block has a curved supporting surface, the radius of curvature of the curved supporting surface of the collector block is selected according to the radius of curvature of the cylinder surface, such that the radius of curvature of the abrasive module substantially corresponds to the radius of curvature of the cylinder surface, the abrasive mesh article is removably attached to the collector block, the abrasive mesh article is attached to the curved supporting surface by a releasable fastening system, which comprises hooks removably attached to loops, the flexible mesh backing comprises a plurality of first openings, the curved supporting surface comprises a plurality of second openings, and wherein the first openings are in communication with the second openings via the releasable fastening system, for providing pathways for the released particles from the first openings to the second openings via the releasable fastening system.