Rolling of functional metallic surface structures

Due to functional enhancement and beneficial product properties, surface structuring of large semi-finished products and part components becomes more important. Rolling of so-called riblet structures for drag reduction on surfaces in fluid-dynamics is presented within this contribution. The examination of a novel roll structuring process via defined steel wire winding is the primary topic. Both practical experiments and numerical simulations of the riblet rolling process point out potentials and limitations of the new structuring approach. Rolling of uniformly shaped riblets with a lateral distance of less than 100 μm is assumed to be possible on large sheets in future.