Surface modification of welding wire drive rolls

A welding wire drive roll, comprising:

• an outer circumferential surface having a first circumferential groove and a second circumferential groove axially-offset from the first circumferential groove, wherein both of the first circumferential groove and the second circumferential groove project radially inward from the outer circumferential surface, wherein the first circumferential groove includes:
• a first sidewall having a first sidewall surface;
• and
• a second sidewall having a second sidewall surface;
• wherein the first sidewall surface includes a first surface finishing comprising a first plurality of laser-formed craters arrayed annularly along the first sidewall surface and having respective central depressions that are recessed into the first sidewall surface and outer peripheral portions that are raised above the first sidewall surface, and
• wherein the second sidewall surface includes a second surface finishing comprising a second plurality of laser-formed craters arrayed annularly along the second sidewall surface and having respective central depressions that are recessed into the second sidewall surface and outer peripheral portions that are raised above the second sidewall surface, and
• wherein the second circumferential groove includes:
• a third sidewall having a third sidewall surface;
• and
• a fourth sidewall having a fourth sidewall surface;
• wherein the third sidewall surface includes a third surface finishing comprising a third plurality of laser-formed craters arrayed annularly along the third sidewall surface and having respective central depressions that are recessed into the third sidewall surface and outer peripheral portions that are raised above the third sidewall surface, and
• wherein the fourth sidewall surface includes a fourth surface finishing comprising a fourth plurality of laser-formed craters arrayed annularly along the fourth sidewall surface and having respective central depressions that are recessed into the fourth sidewall surface and outer peripheral portions that are raised above the fourth sidewall surface,
• wherein crater diameters of the first plurality of laser-formed craters, crater diameters of the second plurality of laser-formed craters, crater diameters of the third plurality of laser-formed craters, and crater diameters of the fourth plurality of laser-formed craters are in a range of 0.020 to 0.050 inches.

A welding wire drive roll, comprising:

• an outer circumferential surface having a circumferential groove projecting radially inward from the outer circumferential surface, wherein the circumferential groove is formed by:
• a first sidewall;
• a second sidewall;
• and
• a groove base extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall,
• wherein at least one of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the groove base includes a surface finishing comprising a ring of laser-formed craters along a surface of said at least one of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the groove base, wherein each crater has a diameter in a range of 0.020 to 0.050 inches.