Apparatus and method for grinding work rollers

A work roll grinder comprising:

• a single circular hub having an outer surface and a bore therethrough a rotational centerline of the hub;
• an inflatable resilient layer connected to the hub outer surface, wherein the inflatable resilient layer includes an outer surface having a convex contour when inflated being capable of compliance with a mating surface of a work roll when the grinder contacts the mating surface to form a contact area;
• and
• a resilient abrasive band connected to the inflatable resilient layer outer surface, wherein the abrasive band contacts the mating surface in the contact area and extends outside the contact area as the grinder longitudinally traverses along an entire length of the work roll,
• whereby the work roll surface irregularities coating removal are substantially reduced and the life of the work roll is significantly increased.

A method of grinding a work roll having a work roll surface comprising the steps of:

• providing a grinding wheel with a substantially convex pliable ring and an abrasive material;
• rotating the grinding wheel at a predetermined plurality of revolutions per minute;
• rotating the work roll at a predetermined plurality of revolutions per minute;
• contacting the rotating work roll with the grinding wheel to form a contact area;
• traversing the abrasive belt laterally across the work roll surface;
• whereby, the work roll surface will be substantially free of scoring and marking due to the edges or other anomalies of the abrasive material.