Rack system, rolling facility comprising such a system and method implemented by such a system

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a rack system (RS) for storing rolling mill cylinders, comprising: - a support frame (Cha) configured to support several racks (Rac), distributed along the length of the support frame in different positions depending on the rack length, - at least one first rack (Ra1) and a second rack (Ra2) configured to rest on the support frame (Cha). Said first rack (Ra1) is configured to move from a storage position (PS) in which said first rack (Rac1) rests simultaneously on a first support (Cha1) and a second support (Ch2) of the support frame (Cha) to a transport position (PT) in which the first rack (Rac1) is configured to be retracted into the clearance (IT), below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on said support frame (Cha) in an intermediate position.

Description

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rack system, as well as a laminating facility comprising such a rack system.

[0002] This disclosure further relates to a method for disposing of used cylinders, implemented by a rack system as detailed in this disclosure.

[0003] This disclosure further relates to a method of feeding new or reground cylinders, implemented by a rack system according to this disclosure. Domaine technique

[0004] The field of the invention relates more particularly to equipment used to perform maintenance operations on a 20 High type rolling mill. A 20 High rolling mill is, for example, known from prior art US 5,193,377 and US 5,471,859. In such a rolling mill, the cylinders (and sets of support rollers) are divided into a lower group GI and an upper group GS, and in a symmetrical configuration with respect to the plane of travel of the metal strip to be rolled. figure 5 US document 5 193 377 illustrates, for example, the upper group with a working cylinder, two first intermediate cylinders, three second intermediate cylinders, and four sets of support rollers.

[0005] As rolling campaigns progress, it is necessary to renew the surface finish of the rolling mill cylinders. This operation is carried out by opening the access door of the rolling mill stand and removing the cylinders from the stand. These cylinders are then ground before being reinserted into the rolling mill stand.

[0006] Each support roller assembly typically comprises a support shaft along which rollers, typically formed by bearings, are distributed. For this purpose, the inner ring of each bearing is mounted on the support shaft, while the outer ring of the bearing is designed to roll on one, or even two, adjacent cylinders belonging to the intermediate cylinders. The support roller assembly also includes a saddle whose arched body extends longitudinally along the length of the support shaft, and whose convex face is designed to bear against a concave seat of a cage mounting component. This saddle also has extensions, projecting from the concave face of its body, through which the support shaft passes; these extensions are distributed along the length of the shaft and, in particular, arranged between the rollers.Eccentric rings are also provided between the support shaft and these extensions. The shaft has a pinion designed to mesh with a corresponding pinion, or alternatively a rack, within the rolling mill stand. This pinion (or rack) drives the support shaft in rotation, thus allowing the position of the support shaft and the rollers it carries to be moved closer to or further from the arched body of the saddle, thanks to the eccentric rings. It is understood that these support roller assemblies also require maintenance, which is carried out by removing this component from the stand, along the axis of the support shaft.

[0007] The extraction (or insertion) of internal components (cylinders or sets of support rollers) is usually carried out using handling equipment attached to the end of the component to be removed (i.e., the end of the cylinder to be removed or the shaft supporting the set of support rollers to be removed), equipped with a counterweight. The purpose of the counterweight is to balance the component being grasped when it is handled by the hoist of an overhead crane in the workshop, and to keep it approximately horizontal, while the hoist hook engages a ring positioned on the equipment between the counterweight and the grasped component. During the removal of the component (or conversely, during its insertion), the grasped component is rigidly attached to the equipment's counterweight, which is susceptible to swinging at the lower end of the hoist cable.

[0008] During extraction maneuvers, operators must be present near the seized component, in order to guide the extraction (or placement) operations, which are therefore particularly dangerous due to the possible swinging movements of the heavy elements suspended from the overhead crane cable. Technique antérieure

[0009] However, the state of the art of robotic systems is known, in particular that disclosed by the Applicant's document WO 2022 / 223927 A1, illustrated in figures 1 et 2 according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0010] Thus, the said rolling mill has a rolling stand and a set of cylinders, internal to the stand, including two working cylinders 12, support cylinders or support rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and even intermediate cylinders in particular first intermediate cylinders 13 and second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, the rolling stand having an access opening, possibly closed by a door system. figures 1 et 2 , the metal strip Bm extends longitudinally along a horizontal X direction, and transversely along a horizontal Y direction, the Y direction being parallel to the axes of the rolling mill cylinders.

[0011] The said installation includes a robotic system 1 suitable for performing the rolling mill roll change operations, by extracting worn rolls from the rolling mill stand and / or by inserting new (or ground) rolls into the rolling mill stand, said robotic system having a robot Ro comprising: a trolley comprising a chassis 2 equipped with wheels cooperating with rails Ra1 arranged on the ground, extending in the direction Y, at the right of the access opening of the rolling mill cage, said chassis being configured to move in the direction Y along the rails Ra1, and a gripping system 6, configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of a tip Eb attached to a cylinder, or the gripping of a tip of a gripping system of a rolling mill cylinder.

[0012] The laminating installation also includes a rack system comprising a Cha support chassis, supporting removable Rac racks.

[0013] The support frame is fixed to the ground in an anchoring position away from the rolling mill along the transverse Y direction and laterally to the Ra1 rails, the position of the support frame freeing up a maintenance aisle AL along the X direction, along the access opening of the rolling mill.

[0014] The Cha support chassis includes a first support Cha1, and a second support Cha2 on which each of the Rac racks rests, and the first support and the second support being oriented lengthwise along the transverse direction Y.

[0015] The robotic system 1 is configured to extract a worn cylinder by grasping the end cap attached to the cylinder, or by grasping the cylinder using the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with the cylinder being placed laterally on the Ra1 rails, onto the first rack resting on the Cha support frame. Conversely, the robotic system can grasp a new working cylinder, pre-positioned on the rack, for insertion into the rolling mill stand.

[0016] Notably, the entire rack of spent cylinders can be removed by automated guided vehicles, accessing the clearance from the distal end of the rack, furthest from the rolling mill stand.

[0017] According to the Applicant's findings, such a rolling mill installation, including in particular such a robotic system and such a rack system, is satisfactory, but nevertheless requires significant activity from the automated guided vehicles to supply or extract the racks on the support chassis.

[0018] In particular, when several removable racks are arranged on the support frame, the automated guided vehicle cannot access the rack closest to the rolling mill without first removing the racks located between this rack, closest to the stand, on the one hand, and the access opening for the automated guided vehicle, on the other hand, this opening being located at the distal end of the rack, furthest from the rolling mill stand.

[0019] If the automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are undercapacitated, rack removal is only performed at the distal section of the rack, the section furthest from the cage, due to time constraints, and not at the proximal section, the section closest to the cage. Only racks located on the distal section can be extracted / fed, which increases the distance the robot must travel from the cage to place or retrieve a cylinder from the rack, thus increasing the maintenance cycle time and consequently the downtime of the rolling mill operations. Résumé

[0020] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0021] It is proposed, selon un premier aspect, a racking system for storing rolling mill cylinders comprising: a support chassis configured to support several racks, distributed along the length of the support chassis in different positions according to the length of the rack, the support chassis comprising a first support, and a second support, respectively fixed to the floor in a parallel manner, the first support and the second support leaving a free clearance between them, arranged below the level of the racks resting on the support chassis, at least a first rack and a second rack configured to rest by taking support on the support chassis, resting simultaneously on the first support and the second support, at the level of two opposite edges of the first rack in two positions along the length of the first rack and at the level of two opposite edges of the second rack in two positions along the length of the second rack, said second rack arranged in an intermediate position on said support chassis along the length of the support chassis.

[0022] According to the said rack system as described in this disclosure: at least said first rack is configured to move from a storage position in which said first rack rests simultaneously on the first support and the second support to a transport position in which the first rack is configured to be retracted into the clearance below the level of the second rack resting on said support frame in the intermediate position, a motorized handling system configured to move in said clearance between the first support and the second support, said handling system comprising: -- a frame provided with movement means configured to move between the first support and the second support, along the length of the support frame, -- lifting means configured to provide support for at least the first rack in said transport position, and in which said handling system is configured to ensure, from said storage position of the first rack, simultaneous support of the first support and the second support: / a / a passage of the first rack into said transport position of the first rack, allowing its retraction into the free clearance, / b / a descent of the first rack into the free clearance between the first support and the second support, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack resting on the support frame in said intermediate position, and / c / a joint movement of the handling system and said first rack supported by the lifting means in the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack, under the second rack resting on the support frame in said intermediate position, from one side of the second rack to a second opposite side.

[0023] Based on features of this disclosure, taken alone or in combination: the support frame includes first support portions, projecting from the first support and the second support directed inwards from the free clearance, the first support portions distributed locally along the length of the support frame and wherein the first rack includes second support portions, projecting from the first rack outwards, the second support portions distributed locally along a first rack dimension and wherein said storage position is obtained by resting the second projecting portions of the first rack on the first projecting portions of the support frame, and wherein said transport position is obtained by lifting the first rack from the storage position and by moving the first rack along the frame by the washing means of the handling system so as to offset the vertical alignment between the second support portions and the first support portions.The racking system comprises a plurality of pairs of first projecting portions along the length of the support frame, allowing the first rack to be supported in said storage position in several discontinuous positions along the length of the support frame. The movement means include rolling means for the handling system comprising rails arranged along the length of the free clearance and wheels of the frame configured to travel along the rails while being guided by the rails. The lifting means include a scissor lift. Said at least one first rack supports working cylinders, for example, rolling cylinders, preferably parallel to each other, oriented, for example, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support frame.

[0024] According to a deuxième aspect, This disclosure relates to a metal strip rolling installation comprising a rolling mill and a rack system as described in this disclosure, said rolling mill having a rolling stand and a set of cylinders internal to the stand, including two work cylinders, support cylinders or support rollers, and possibly intermediate cylinders, in particular first intermediate cylinders and second intermediate cylinders, the rolling stand having an access opening, optionally closed by a door system, the metal strip extending longitudinally in a horizontal X direction and transversely in a horizontal Y direction, the Y direction being parallel to the axes of the rolling mill cylinders. said installation comprising a robotic system suitable for carrying out the operations of changing the rolling mill cylinders, by extracting the worn cylinders from the rolling mill stand and / or inserting new or ground cylinders into the rolling mill stand, said robotic system comprising a robot comprising: - a trolley comprising a chassis equipped with wheels cooperating with rails arranged on the ground, extending in the Y direction, at the level of the access opening of the rolling mill stand, said chassis being configured to move in the Y direction along the rails Ra1, and a gripping system, configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of a tip attached to a cylinder, or the gripping of a tip of a gripping system of a rolling mill cylinder, and in which said support chassis is fixed to the ground in an anchoring position at a distance from the rolling mill in the Y direction transversely and laterally to the rails,freeing up a maintenance aisle along the X direction, along the access opening of the rolling mill, the support frame including the first support, the second support and the IT free clearance oriented lengthwise along the transverse direction; and wherein the robotic system is configured to ensure the extraction of a cylinder, by grasping the end fitting attached to the cylinder, or alternatively by grasping the cylinder by the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with the cylinder being placed laterally to the rails on the first rack resting on the support frame in said storage position, the first rack resting on the support frame, on a proximal section of the length of the support frame, opposite a distal section of the length of the support frame and wherein the handling system is configured to ensure, from said storage position of the first rack simultaneously supporting the first and second supports,the first rack supported on the proximal section: - / a / the passage of the first rack into said transport position of the first rack, allowing its retraction into the free clearance, - / b / the descent of the first rack into the free clearance between the first support and the second support, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack resting on the support frame in said intermediate position, and - / c / the joint movement of the handling system and said first rack supported by the lifting means in the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system along the length of the support frame so as to move the first rack, under the second rack resting in said intermediate position, from the first side of the second rack to a second opposite side, - / d / the raising of the first rack above the free clearance,- / e / the movement of the first rack from the transport position of the first rack to a second storage position, the first rack resting on the chassis, on the distal section of the supporting chassis, opposite the proximal section of the chassis.

[0025] According to one embodiment, said installation includes an automated guided vehicle configured to insert itself into the free clearance between the first support and the second support at the distal section of the support chassis, the automated guided vehicle configured to remove or supply the support chassis with racks, including removing the first rack resting in said second storage position.

[0026] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for disposing of spent cylinders implemented by a rack system as described in this disclosure, or belonging to an installation as described in this disclosure, the first rack carrying spent work cylinders resting on the support frame, on a proximal section of the length of the support frame, close to a rolling mill stand, opposite a distal section of the length of the support frame, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from said storage position of the first rack simultaneously supported on the first support and the second support, the first rack supported on the proximal length section, the following steps: / a / passage of the first rack into said transport position of the first rack, allowing its retraction into the free clearance, / b / descent of the first rack into the free clearance between the first support and the second support, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack resting on the support frame in said intermediate position, and / c / joint movement of the handling system and said first rack supported by the lifting means into the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system along the length of the support frame so as to move the first rack, under the second rack resting in said intermediate position,from one side of the second rack to a second opposite side, / d / raising of the chassis above the clearance, / e / passage of the first rack from the transport position of the first rack to a second storage position, the first rack resting on the chassis, on the distal section opposite the proximal section of the chassis, and in which the first rack is evacuated from the distal section of the supporting chassis, in particular by an automated guided vehicle.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure further relates to a method of feeding new or ground cylinders implemented by a rack system according to this disclosure, or belonging to an installation according to this disclosure, in which a first rack carrying new or ground work cylinders is fed on a distal section of the length of the support frame, opposite a proximal section of the length of the support frame, near a rolling mill stand, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from a storage position of the first rack simultaneously supported on the first and second supports, said first rack supported on the distal section, the following steps: - passage of the first rack into the transport position of the first rack, allowing its retraction into the clearance, - descent of the first support into the clearance between the first and second supports, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack resting on the support frame in the intermediate position, and - simultaneous movement of the handling system and the first rack, supported by the lifting means in the lowered position, by moving the handling system along the length of the support frame so as to move the first rack, under the second rack resting in the intermediate position, from one side of the second rack to the opposite side, - raising of the first rack above the clearance, - passage of the first rack from the transport position of the first rack to a second storage position, the first rack resting on the support frame, on the proximal section,opposite the distal section of the support frame. Brève description des dessins

[0028] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 [ ] is a view of a rolling mill installation according to the prior art comprising: - a rolling mill including cylinders, including two work cylinders for rolling a metal strip moving along the X direction and along the axis of a maintenance window in the rolling mill stand, - a robotic system traveling on rails along a Y direction suitable for changing the rolling mill cylinders, - a racking system comprising a support frame, positioned at a distance from the rolling mill leaving a maintenance aisle free between the racking system and the rolling mill stand, the maintenance aisle oriented along the X direction, parallel to the metal strip, the racking system comprising a support frame anchored to the ground laterally to the rails of the robotic system, the support frame oriented lengthwise parallel to the rail, comprising a first and a second parallel support, on which a plurality of racks are arranged,arranged successively along the length of the support frame, each resting simultaneously on the first and second supports, and in which the robotic system is configured to extract a worn cylinder from the rolling mill stand and place it laterally onto one of the racks, and to grasp a new (or ground) cylinder pre-positioned on a rack and insert it as a replacement into the rolling mill stand. Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] is a view according to the figure 1 , wherein the racks comprise, on or near a proximal section of the support frame close to the cage, two racks supporting work cylinders, and on or near a distal section of the support frame, opposite a proximal section of the support frame, two larger racks supporting first intermediate cylinders and second intermediate cylinders, the two supports, first support and second support, leaving between them a free clearance for an automated guided vehicle circulating in the workshop, the automated guided vehicle configured to remove the racks supporting worn cylinders from the support frame, or conversely to supply the frame with racks supporting new cylinders. Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3 ] is a view of an installation according to this disclosure comprising: - a rolling mill including cylinders, including two work cylinders rolling a metal strip moving along the X direction, the cylinders arranged in line with a maintenance window in the rolling mill stand, - a robotic system traveling on rails along a Y direction suitable for changing the rolling mill cylinders, - a racking system including a support frame, disposed at a distance from the rolling mill leaving a maintenance aisle between the racking system and the rolling mill stand, the maintenance aisle following the X direction parallel to the metal strip, the racking system including a support frame anchored to the floor, laterally to the rails of the robotic system, the support frame oriented lengthwise parallel to the rail, including a first support and a second support, arranged parallel, on which a plurality of racks are arranged,arranged successively along the length of the support frame, each resting simultaneously on the first and second supports, and in which the robotic system is configured to extract a worn cylinder from the rolling mill stand and place it laterally onto one of the racks, and to grasp a new (or ground) cylinder pre-positioned on a rack and insert it as a replacement into the rolling mill stand. Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4 ] is a view according to the figure 3 , partial. Fig. 5 [ Fig. 5 ] is a top view of the rack system which extends, from the left, from the distal section, to the proximal section of the support frame, on the right, the support frame being rack-free at the distal section, left, supporting from right to left, simultaneously supported on the first and second support: - a first rack receiving working cylinders, at the proximal section of the support frame, - a second rack receiving working cylinders, in an intermediate position on the support frame between the distal and proximal sections, - a third rack, of larger dimensions following a direction transverse to the support frame, receiving first intermediate cylinders, in another intermediate position on the support frame. Fig. 6a [ Fig. 6a ] is a detailed view of the cooperation between the support chassis, on the one hand, and the first rack and the second rack, on the other hand, the support chassis notably comprising first support portions, projecting from the first support and projecting from the second support directed inwards from the free clearance, the first support portions distributed locally along the length of the support chassis and in which the first rack comprises second support portions, projecting from the first rack outwards, the second support portions distributed locally along a dimension of the first rack and in which said storage position is obtained by resting the second projecting portions of the first rack on the first projecting portions of the support chassis, and in which a transport position is obtained by lifting the first rack from the storage position and by moving the first rack along the chassis,by the handling system in such a way as to offset the vertical alignment between the second support sections and the first support sections, and in such a way as to allow the descent of the first rack into the clear space. Fig. 6b [ Fig. 6b ] is a detailed view of the figure 6a . Fig. 7a [ Fig. 7a ] is a side view of the rack system illustrating a first image of a process for removing the first rack receiving worn work cylinders, the first rack resting on the support frame, at the level of the proximal section of the support frame, the view notably illustrating a position of a motorized handling system, in the intermediate clearance under the first rack. Fig. 7b [ Fig. 7b ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7a illustrating the raising of lifting equipment, in particular the raising of a scissor lift to support the first rack by the lift. Fig. 7c [ Fig. 7c ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7b illustrating, following the continued rise of the first rack, the loss of contact between, on the one hand, the second protruding portions, attached to the first rack and, on the other hand, the first protruding portions attached to the support chassis. Fig. 7d [ Fig. 7d ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7c , for which the first rack is moved by the motorized handling system in order to shift the vertical alignment between the second protruding portions of the first rack and the first portions to a transport position, allowing the descent of the first rack into the free clearance. Fig. 7e [ Fig. 7e ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7c illustrating the descent of washing equipment to a lowered position of the first rack at a level in the free clearance allowing circulation under the racks resting on the support frame in the intermediate position, from a first side of the second rack. Fig.7f [ Fig. 7f ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7e for which the handling system and the first rack supported in the lowered position circulate under the second rack resting on the support chassis. Fig.7g [ Fig. 7g ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7f for which the handling system is located at the distal section of the support chassis. Fig.7h [ Fig. 7h ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7g for which the lifting means of the handling system raise the first rack, the first protruding positions of the chassis on the distal section of the rack, out of vertical alignment with second portions of the first rack, following an offset along the longitudinal direction of the support chassis, up to a height position of the first rack above the first protruding portions. Fig.7i [ Fig. 7i ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7h for which the handling system moves the first rack in order to vertically align the second protruding portions of the first rack with the first protruding portions of the support frame at the distal section. Fig.7j [ Fig. 7j ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7h for which the lifting means of the handling system lower the first rack in order to place the first rack on the support chassis, the second protruding portions of the first rack resting on the first protruding portions of the support chassis. Fig.7k [ Fig. 7k ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7j for which the lifting means, in particular the scissor lift, are retracted / lowered, in order to allow the handling system to be moved towards the proximal section. Fig.7l [ Fig. 7l ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7k for which the handling system is moved to a position freeing up clearance at the distal section of the support frame, freeing up access for extraction of the first rack resting on the distal section. Fig.7m [ Fig. 7m ] is a consecutive view of the figure 7l for which an automatically guided vehicle is inserted from an opening at the distal end of the support chassis, into the free clearance under the first rack for the purpose of evacuating the first rack. Fig.8 [ Fig. 8 ] is a view of a 20Hi rolling mill. Description des modes de réalisation

[0029] This disclosure relates to an SR rack system for storing rolling mill cylinders comprising a Cha support frame configured to support multiple Rac racks, distributed along the length of the Cha support frame, in different positions depending on the length of the rack.

[0030] The Cha support chassis comprises a first support Cha1 and a second support Cha2, respectively fixed to the floor in a parallel manner to each other, oriented along the lengthwise direction of the support chassis Ch. The first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2 leave a free IT clearance between them, the free clearance arranged below the level of the racks supported on the Cha support chassis.

[0031] The rack system includes several racks comprising at least a first rack Ra1 and a second rack Ra2 configured to rest on the support chassis Cha, simultaneously resting on the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2.

[0032] The first rack Ra1 rests on the support chassis, at two opposite edges of the first rack Rac1, in two positions along the length of the first rack, the two edges respectively resting on the first support Cha1 and the second support Ch2.

[0033] The second rack Ra2 rests on the support chassis, at two opposite edges of the second rack Rac2 in two positions along the length of the second rack Rac2, said second rack Rac2 arranged in an intermediate position on said support chassis Cha along the length of the support chassis Cha.

[0034] In general, and as illustrated in the figure 3 The SR rack system according to this disclosure finds a particular application in a metal strip rolling plant comprising an L rolling mill, and such an SR rack system.

[0035] The said rolling mill has a rolling stand and a set of cylinders, internal to the stand, including two working cylinders12, support cylinders or sets of support rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and even intermediate cylinders in particular first intermediate cylinders 13 and second intermediate cylinders 14,15.

[0036] The rolling mill can typically be a 20-roll mill, comprising: - an upper group GS comprising an upper working cylinder 12, two first intermediate cylinders 13, three second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 (two of the second intermediate cylinders 15 supported respectively by two contact generators on the first two intermediate cylinders 13, and the third, interposed, supported on the first two intermediate cylinders 13 by two contact generators) and four cylinders (or sets of support rollers) A, B, C, D, - an upper group GI comprising a lower working cylinder 12, two first intermediate cylinders 13, three second intermediate cylinders 14, 15 (two of the second intermediate cylinders 15 supported respectively by two contact generators on the first two intermediate cylinders 13, and the third, interposed,supported on the first two intermediate cylinders 13 by two contact generators) and four cylinders (or set of support rollers) H, G, F, E. ,

[0037] The rolling mill stand has an access opening, possibly closed by a door system. The metal strip Bm extends longitudinally along a horizontal X direction and transversely along a horizontal Y direction, with the Y direction being parallel to the axes of the rolling mill cylinders.

[0038] The installation includes a robotic system 1 suitable for ensuring the rolling mill roll change operations, by extracting worn rolls from the rolling mill stand and / or inserting new or ground rolls into the rolling mill stand.

[0039] The robotic system includes a robot Ro comprising a trolley including a chassis 2 equipped with wheels cooperating with rails Ra1 arranged on the ground, extending in the Y direction, at the right of the access opening of the rolling mill cage, said chassis being configured to move in the Y direction along the rails Ra1, and a gripping system configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of a tip Eb attached to a cylinder, or the gripping of a tip of a gripping system of a rolling mill cylinder.

[0040] The rack system's support frame Cha is fixed to the floor in an anchor position away from the rolling mill in the Y direction transversely and laterally to the Ra1 rails, freeing up a maintenance aisle AL extending in the X direction parallel to the metal band, along the rolling mill's access opening, the support frame Cha including the first support Cha1, the second support Cha2 and the IT free clearance oriented lengthwise in the transverse Y direction, laterally to the Ra1 rails.

[0041] The robotic system 1 is configured to extract a typically worn cylinder, for example a work cylinder 12, by grasping the end cap attached to the cylinder, or by grasping the cylinder with the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with the cylinder being placed laterally on the rails Ra1 onto the first rack Rac1 resting on the support frame Cha. Conversely, the robotic system can also grasp a new (or ground) cylinder on the first rack and insert it into the rolling mill stand.

[0042] The first rack Rac1 on which the robotic system 1 deposits or extracts the cylinders, in particular the working cylinders 12, is preferably arranged on the proximal section Sprox of the support frame Cha, closest to the rolling mill stand, which is opposite the distal section Sdist, furthest away (from the rolling mill) from which the racks are fed or extracted, typically by an automatic guided vehicle VGA.

[0043] Notably, and according to the SR rack system as disclosed herein, at least said first rack Ra1 is configured to move from a PS storage position in which said first rack Rac1 rests simultaneously on the first support Cha1 and the second support Ch2 to a PT transport position in which the first rack Rac1 is configured to be retracted into the IT clearance, below the level of the second rack Rac2 resting on said support chassis Cha in the intermediate position.

[0044] The SR rack system also includes a motorized SM handling system, configured to move within said IT free clearance between the first Cha1 support and the second Cha2 support and along the length of the latter.

[0045] The SM material handling system includes: - an SMCH chassis equipped with means of movement configured to move in the free clearance between the first support Cha and the second support Cha2, along the length of the support chassis Cha, and in particular along an amplitude from the proximal section Sprox of the support chassis Cha to the distal section Sdist of the support chassis Cha, - lifting means SML configured to ensure the support at least of the first rack Rac1 in said transport position PT.

[0046] The means of movement typically include rolling means for the handling system, comprising RSM rails arranged along the length of the IT clearance and CHSM chassis wheels, typically motorized, configured to travel along the rails while being guided by them. The SM lifting means may include a scissor lift.

[0047] The SM handling system is configured to ensure, from said storage position PS of the first rack Rac1 simultaneously supporting the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2, in particular on the proximal section Sprox of the support frame Cha, the following steps: / a / a passage of the first rack Rac1 into said transport position PT of the first rack Rac1, allowing its retraction into the free clearance IT, as illustrated in the figure 7d / b / a descent of the first rack Rac1 into the free clearance IT between the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2, in a lowered position below the level of the second rack Rac2 resting on the support chassis Ch in said intermediate position, as illustrated in the figure 7e , and / c / a joint movement of the handling system SM and said first rack Rac1 supported by the lifting means SML in the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system along the length of the chassis so as to move the first rack Rac1, under the second rack Rac2 resting on the support chassis Cha in said intermediate position, from a first side C1 of the second rack Rac2 and to a second, opposite side C2, as illustrated in figures 7f , 7g .

[0048] Following step / c / , the SM handling system can be configured to further ensure: - / d / the raising of the first rack above the free clearance Int as illustrated in the figure 7h , - / e / the passage of the first rack Rac1, from the transport position PT of the first rack to a second storage position PS2, the first rack resting on the chassis, on the distal section Sdist of the chassis, opposite the proximal section Sprox of the chassis, and as illustrated in the figure 7j .

[0049] The laminating installation may include at least one VGA automated guided vehicle configured to insert itself between the first Cha1 support and the second Cha2 support at the distal Sdist section of the support chassis, the automated guided vehicle configured to remove or feed the Cha1 support chassis with racks, including removing the first Rac1 rack resting in said second PS2 storage position.

[0050] Typically, the lifting means are then retracted to allow the SM handling system to move towards the proximal Sprox section, and to free up the IT clearance at the proximal Sprox section, as illustrated according to the direction of movement of the arrow at the figure 7k and according to a step / f / . Once the SM handling system has been moved and thus the free clearance released at the distal section Sdist ( figure 7l ), the first rack Rac1 can be evacuated, typically by a VGA automated guided vehicle by inserting itself from an opening between the first support Cha 1 and the second support Cha2, at the level of the proximal section Sdist ( figure 7m ).

[0051] In general, the handling system is equipped with motor / actuator and in particular means of movement for example for the motorization of one or more wheels, and means of lifting for actuation in lifting up and down.

[0052] In general, the sequence implemented for the handling system can be implemented by an automation which includes a processor and a memory containing instructions for the implementation of steps / a / to / e / , or even / f / .

[0053] In general, and as illustrated for guidance in the figures, in particular in figures 5 , 6 And 6a , the support chassis Cha may include first portions of support POS1, projecting from the first support Cha1 and the second support Ch2 directed towards the interior of the IT free clearance, the first portions of support POS1 distributed locally along the length of the support chassis Cha.

[0054] The first portions of support POS1 protruding from the first support Cha 1 and protruding from the second support Cha2, can protrude respectively from a spar of the first support Cha1 and a spar of the second support Cha2.

[0055] The first rack Rac1 then includes second portions of POS2 support, projecting from the first rack Rac1 outwards the second portions of POS2 support, distributed locally along a dimension first rack Rac1, on both sides of the first rack Rac1.

[0056] The storage position PS is then obtained by resting the second protruding portions POS2 of the first rack Rac1 on the first protruding portions POS1 of the support chassis Cha, and as illustrated in figures 6 And 6a .

[0057] The transport position PT is obtained by lifting the first rack Rac1 from the storage position PS (see for example figure 7c ) and by moving the first rack Rac1 along the support chassis Cha, using the SM handling system to offset the vertical alignment between the second support sections POS2 and the first support sections POS1 (see for example figure 7d The displacement ensuring the offset of the vertical alignment is typically a displacement less than the dimension of the first rack along the longitudinal direction of the support chassis, and typically less than half, or even less than a quarter, of the dimension of the first rack along the longitudinal direction of the support chassis, and as visible from the figures 7c et 7c .

[0058] The SR rack system can typically include a plurality of pairs of first protruding portions POS1 along the length of the support chassis Cha, permitting the first rack Rac1 to be supported in said storage position PS, in several discontinuous positions along the length of the support chassis Cha, and typically at the proximal section Sprox of the support chassis Cha and the proximal section of the support chassis.

[0059] At least according to one embodiment illustrated in particular in the figures, it is noted that the support chassis Cha includes pairs of protruding portions, allowing the support of the second rack Rac2, juxtaposed to the first rack Rac1 then arranged at the level of the proximal section.

[0060] For example, and according to the illustrated example, the pairs allow the first rack Rac1 to be positioned on the proximal section Sprox, a second rack Rac2 arranged contiguous to the first rack, the second rack comprising, like the first rack Rac1, second salient portions POS2 supported on the first salient portions POS1.

[0061] At least, according to one embodiment, said at least one first rack Rac1 can support rolling work cylinders 12, for example, preferably cylinders parallel to each other, oriented for example perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support frame Cha.

[0062] The width dimension of the support chassis is such that the first rack Rac1 and the working cylinders 12 supported by the first rack Rac1 can be retracted into the IT free clearance, especially during steps / b / , / c / and / d / .

[0063] The other racks, in particular the second rack Rac2 and / or the third rack Rac3, may be similar to the first rack, including the second protruding sections, and be evacuated in the same sequence as the first rack Rac1, by the aforementioned handling system. Alternatively, the other racks, in particular the third rack Rac3, may be different from the first rack. This could include a larger rack, so as to be supported by the stringers of the first and second supports Cha1 and Cha2, and without being able to be retracted into the IT clearance.

[0064] For example in the figures, the third rack Rac3 allows for the reception of the first intermediate cylinders.

[0065] Advantageously, and compared to the prior art, the rack system according to this disclosure allows the first rack Rac1 to be moved onto the proximal section Sprox of the support frame Cha, near the rolling mill, without having to first remove the second rack Rac2, or even a third rack Rac3 arranged side-by-side in the intermediate position of the support frame, in particular as illustrated in the sequence of figures 7a à 7m , thanks to the SM handling system which ensures the transport of the first rack Rac1 in the free clearance IT, under the racks Rac2, Rac3, and until the first rack is placed on the rack-free distal section Sdist, from which the first rack and the worn working cylinders 12 can be extracted, typically by the VGA automatic guidance vehicle.

[0066] Thus, in general, the present disclosure is still related to a method for removing spent cylinders implemented by a rack system according to this disclosure, or belonging to a rolling mill installation according to this disclosure, the first rack Rac1 carrying worn work cylinders 12 resting on the support frame Cha, on a proximal section Sprox of length of the support frame, near a rolling mill stand L, the proximal section opposite a distal section Sdist of length of the support frame, and in which the handling system SM is configured to ensure, from said storage position PS of the first rack Rac1 simultaneously supported on the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2, the first rack Rac1 supported on the proximal length section Sprox, by the following steps: / a / passage of the first rack Rac1 into said transport position PT of the first rack, allowing its retraction into the free clearance IT, / b / descent of the first rack Rac1 into the free clearance between the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack Rac2 resting on the support frame in said intermediate position, and / c / joint movement of the handling system SM and said first rack Rac1 supported by the lifting means into the lowered position of the first rack Rac1, by a movement of the handling system SM along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack, under the second rack Rac2 resting in said intermediate position, from a first side C1 of the second rack to a second opposite side C2, to the distal section of the support frame, / d / raising of the frame above the free clearance, / e / passage of the first rack Rac1 from the transport position PT of the first rack to a second storage position PS2, the first rack Rac1 resting on the chassis, on the distal section Sdist, opposite the proximal section Sprox of the chassis. ,

[0067] The first rack Rac1 is then evacuated from the distal section Sdist of the support chassis, in particular by a VGA automated guided vehicle.

[0068] Conversely, advantageously compared to the prior art, the rack system according to the present disclosure allows a first rack Rac1 to be fed on the distal section, in particular loaded with new or ground work rolls, and transferred to the proximal section of the support frame, close to the rolling mill, without having to first remove the second rack Rac2, or even a third pre-arranged in one or more intermediate positions of the support frame, namely between the distal and proximal sections, and advantageously thanks to the handling system which ensures the transport of the first rack Rac1 and the work rolls 12 supported by the first rack, through the free clearance IT, and along a path of movement passing under the racks Rac2, Rac3, and until its placement on the proximal section, free of racks.

[0069] Thus, and in general, the present disclosure also relates to a method of feeding new (or ground) cylinders implemented by a rack system according to this disclosure, or belonging to an installation according to this disclosure, in which a first rack Rac carrying new (or ground) work cylinders 12 is fed, a distal section Sdist of length of the support frame, opposite a proximal section Sprox of length of the support frame, near a rolling mill stand, typically by an automated guided vehicle VGA, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from a storage position of the first rack simultaneously supported on the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2, said first rack Rac1 supported on the distal section Sdist, the following steps: / a1 / passage of the first rack Rac1 into said transport position PT of the first rack Ra1, allowing its retraction into the free clearance IT, / b1 / descent of the first support Cha1 into the free clearance IT between the first support Cha1 and the second support Cha2, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack Rac2 resting on the support frame Cha in said intermediate position, and / c1 / joint movement of the handling system SM and said first rack Rac1 supported by the lifting means SML into the lowered position, by a movement of the handling system SM along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack Rac1, under the second rack Rac2 resting in said intermediate position, from a first side of the second rack Rac2 to a second opposite side, and to the proximal section of the support frame, / d1 / raising of the first rack Rac1 above the free clearance, / e1 / passage of the first rack Rac1 from the transport position PT of the first rack Rac1 to a second storage position, the first rack Rac1 resting on the support chassis Cha, on the proximal section Sprox, opposite the distal section Sdist of the support chassis.

[0070] As far as possible, the storage system according to this disclosure allows for the placement of a first rack Rac 1 and a second Rac 2, always on said proximal section, or in the immediate vicinity of the proximal section of the support frame, close to the rolling mill (compared to the distal section), one of the racks being able to receive new (or ground) work rolls 12 to be fed into the rolling mill stand, the other rack intended to receive or receiving the worn work rolls 12.

[0071] With regard to the work rolls 12, which require a higher replacement frequency than other rolls, particularly the first intermediate rolls 13 or the second intermediate rolls 14-15, or support rolls A to H, the robotic system allows the work rolls 12 to be placed or picked up from the area of ​​the support frame closest to the rolling mill, and not from the distal, furthest section, even when the frequency of guided vehicle passage is low. The movement of the robotic system along the rails Ra1 during roll replacement operations is advantageously limited. This effectively reduces the roll replacement cycle time compared to the prior art introduced in the introduction disclosed by WO 2022 / 223927 A1 in the event of insufficient capacity of automatically guided vehicles. Liste des signes de référence

[0072] Rolling Mill, 1. Robotic system, 2. Ro. Robot chassis, Ra1. Rail along the Y direction AL. Maintenance aisle (between the rolling mill stand and the rack support frame, oriented in a direction parallel to the strip to be rolled), SR. Rack system, Rac. Rack, Rac1, Rac2, Rac3. Respectively first rack, second rack and third rack, Cha. Support frame, Cha1, Cha2. First support and second support (support frame), IT. Free clearance (between the first support and the second support, Sprox. Proximal section (Support frame), Sdist. Distal section (Support frame), Cha1, Cha2. First support and second support POS1, POS2. First and second protruding portions, PS, PS2. Storage positions (first rack) PT. Transport position, SM. Motorized handling system, SMCH. Frame SML Lifting means, RSM. Rails (Handling system) Rolling mill layout 20 Hi ( Figure 8), Gi, Gs. Respectively upper group and lower group, 12. Working cylinders, 13. First intermediate cylinders, 14,15. Second intermediate cylinders, A, B, C, D. respectively the four support cylinders or sets of support rollers of the upper group, E, F, G, H. respectively the four support cylinders or sets of support rollers of the lower group.

Claims

1. Rack system (SR) for the storage of rolls of a rolling mill, comprising: - a support frame (Cha) configured to support a plurality of racks (Rac), distributed along the length of the support frame in different positions along the length of the rack, the support frame (Cha) comprising a first support (Cha1) and a second support (Cha2), respectively fixed to the ground in a parallel manner, the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2) leaving a free clearance (IT) between them, arranged below the level of the racks supported on the support frame (Cha), - at least one first rack (Ra1) and one second rack (Ra2) configured to rest on the support frame Cha, resting simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), at two opposite edges of the first rack (Rac1) in two positions along the length of the first rack and at two opposite edges of the second rack (Rac2) in two positions along the length of the second rack (Rac2), said second rack (Rac2) arranged in an intermediate position on said support frame (Cha) along the length of the support frame (Cha), characterized in that - at least said first rack (Ra1) is configured to move from a storage position (PS), in which said first rack (Rac1) rests simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Ch2), to a transport position (PT), in which the first rack (Rac1) is configured to be retracted into the free clearance (IT) below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on said support frame (Cha) in the intermediate position, - a motorized handling system (SM) is configured to move in said free clearance between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), said handling system (SM) comprising: -- a frame (SMCH) provided with movement means configured to move between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), along the length of the support frame, -- lifting means (SML) configured to support at least the first rack (Rac1) in said transport position (PT), and wherein said handling system (SM) is configured to perform, from said storage position (PS) of the first rack (Rac1), supported simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2): / a / a passage of the first rack (Rac1) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack (Rac1), allowing it to retract into the free clearance (IT) / b / a descent of the first rack (Rac1) into the free clearance (IT) between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), into a lowered position below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame (Cha) in said intermediate position, and / c / a joint movement of the handling system (SM) and of said first rack (Rac1) supported by the lifting means (SML) into the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack (Rac1), under the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame (Cha) in said intermediate position, from a first side (C1) of the second rack (Rac2) and to a second, opposite side (C2).

2. Rack system according to claim 1, wherein the support frame (Cha) comprises first support portions (POS1), protruding from the first support (Cha1) and from the second support (Ch2) directed toward the inside of the free clearance (IT), the first support portions (POS1) distributed locally along the length of the support frame (Cha) and wherein the first rack (Rac1) comprises second support portions (POS2), protruding from the first rack (Rac1) toward the outside, the second support portions (POS2) distributed locally along a first rack (Rac1) dimension and wherein said storage position (PS) is obtained by supporting the protruding second portions (POS2) of the first rack (Rac1) on the protruding first portions (POS1) of the support frame (Cha), and wherein said transport position (PT) is obtained by lifting the first rack (Rac1) from the storage position (PS) and by moving the first rack (Rac1) along the frame by the washing means of the handling system (SM) so as to shift the vertical alignment between the second support portions (POS2) and the first support portions (POS1).

3. Rack system (SR) according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of pairs of protruding first portions (POS1) along the length of the support frame (Cha), allowing the first rack (Rac1) to be supported in said storage position, in a plurality of discontinuous positions along the length of the support frame (Cha).

4. Rack system according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the movement means comprise rolling means of the handling system, the rolling means comprising rails (RSM), arranged along the length of the free clearance (IT) and frame wheels (CHSM) configured to run along the rails (RSM) while being guided by the rails.

5. Rack system according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the lifting means (SM) comprise a scissor lift.

6. Rack system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one first rack (Rac1) supports work rolls (12), e.g. for rolling, preferably the rolls parallel to each other, oriented e.g. perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the support frame (Cha).

7. Plant for rolling a metal strip, said plant comprising a rolling mill (L), and a rack system according to any of claims 1 to 6, said rolling mill having a rolling mill stand and a set of rolls, inside the stand, including two work rolls (12), backup rolls or backup rollers (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), or even intermediate rolls, in particular first intermediate rolls (13) and second intermediate rolls (14, 15), the rolling mill stand having an access opening, which is optionally closed by a door system, the metal strip (Bm) extending longitudinally in a horizontal X direction and transversely in a horizontal Y direction, the Y direction being parallel to the axes of the rolls of the rolling mill, said plant comprising a robotic system (1) suitable for performing operations for changing the rolls of the rolling mill, by removing worn rolls from the rolling mill stand and / or inserting new or rectified rolls into the rolling mill stand, said robotic system comprising a robot (Ro) comprising: - a carriage comprising a frame (2) provided with wheels engaging with rails (Ra1) arranged on the ground, extending in the Y direction, in line with the access opening of the rolling mill stand, said frame being configured to move in the Y direction along the rails (Ra1), and a gripping system (6), configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of an endpiece (Eb) rigidly connected to a roll, or the gripping of an endpiece of a grasping system of a roll of the rolling mill, and wherein said support frame (Cha) is fixed to the ground in an anchoring position at a distance from the rolling mill in the transverse Y direction and laterally to the rails (Ra1), freeing a maintenance aisle (AL) in the X direction, along the access opening of the rolling mill, the support frame (Cha) including the first support (Cha1), the second support (Cha2) and the free clearance (IT) oriented lengthwise in the transverse direction (Y); and wherein the robotic system (1) is configured to extract a roll, by gripping the endpiece rigidly connected to the roll, or by gripping the roll by the grasping system locked by the gripping system, with the roll being deposited, laterally to the rails (Ra1), on the first rack (Rac1) supported on the support frame (Cha) in said storage position (PS), the first rack (Rac1) resting on the support frame (Cha), on a proximal portion (Spro) of the support frame length, opposite a distal portion (Ddist) of the support frame length and wherein the handling system (SM) is configured to perform, from said storage position (PS) of the first rack (Rac1) supported simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), the first rack supported on the proximal portion (Sprox): - / a / the passage of the first rack (Rac1) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack, allowing it to retract into the free clearance (Int), - / b / the descent of the first rack (Rac1) into the free clearance between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), into a lowered position below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame (Cha) in said intermediate position, and - / c / the joint movement of the handling system (SM) and of said first rack (Rac1) supported by the lifting means (SML) into the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system (SM) along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack (Rac1), under the second rack (Rac2) resting in said intermediate position, from the first side (C1) of the second rack and to a second, opposite side (C2), - / d / the rise of the first rack above the free clearance (Int), - / e / the passage of the first rack (Rac1) from the transport position (PT) of the first rack to a second storage position (PS2), the first rack resting on the frame, on the distal portion (Sdist) of the frame, distal to and opposite the proximal portion (Sprox) of the frame.

8. Plant according to claim 7 comprising an automated guided vehicle (VGA) configured to fit into the free clearance between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2) at the distal portion (Sdist) of the support frame, the automated guided vehicle (VGA) configured to remove or supply the support frame (Cha1) with racks, including extracting the first rack (Rac1) resting in said second storage position (PS2).

9. Method for removing worn rolls using a rack system according to any of claims 1 to 6, or belonging to a plant according to claim 7 or 8, the first rack (Rac1) carrying worn work rolls (12) resting on the support frame (Cha), on a proximal portion (Sprox) of the support frame length, close to a stand of the rolling mill (L), opposite a distal portion (Sdist) of the support frame length, the handling system (SM) is configured to perform the following steps, from said storage position (PS) of the first rack (Rac1) supported simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), the first rack (Rac1) supported on the proximal length portion (Sprox): / a / passage of the first rack (Rac1) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack, allowing it to retract into the free clearance (Int), / b / descent of the first rack (Rac1) into the free clearance between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), into a lowered position below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame in said intermediate position, and / c / joint movement of the handling system (SM) and of said first rack (Rac1) supported by the lifting means into the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system (SM) along the length of the support frame (Cha) so as to move the first rack (Rac1), under the second rack (Rac2) resting in said intermediate position, from a first side (C1) of the second rack and to a second, opposite side (C2), / d / rise of the frame above the free clearance (IT), / e / passage of the first rack (Rac1) from the transport position (PT) of the first rack to a second storage position (PS2), the first rack resting on the frame, on the distal portion (Sdist) opposite the proximal portion (Sprox) of the frame, and wherein the first rack (Rac1) is removed from the distal portion (Sdist) of the support frame (Cha), in particular by an automated guided vehicle (VGA).

10. Method for feeding new or rectified rolls using a rack system according to any of claims 1 to 6, or belonging to a plant according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a first rack (Rac1) carrying new or rectified work rolls (12) is fed onto a distal portion (Sdist) of the support frame length, opposite a proximal portion (Sprox) of the support frame length, close to a rolling mill stand, and wherein the handling system is configured to perform the following steps, from a storage position of the first rack supported simultaneously on the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), said first rack (Rac1) supported on the distal portion (Sdist): - passage of the first rack (Rac1) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack (Ra1), allowing it to retract into the free clearance (IT), - descent of the first support (Cha1) into the free clearance (IT) between the first support (Cha1) and the second support (Cha2), into a lowered position below the level of the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support frame (Cha) in said intermediate position, and - joint movement of the handling system (SM) and of said first rack (Rac1) supported by the lifting means (SML) into the lowered position, by a movement of the handling system (SM) along the length of the frame so as to move the first rack (Rac1), under the second rack (Rac2) resting in said intermediate position, from a first side of the second rack (Rac2) and to a second, opposite side, - rise of the first rack (Rac1) above the free clearance, - passage of the first rack (Rac1) from the transport position (PT) of the first rack (Rac1) to a second storage position, the first rack (Rac1) resting on the support frame (Cha), on the proximal portion (Sprox), opposite the distal portion (Sdist) of the support frame.

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