Rack system, laminating installation comprising such a system and method implemented by such a system
The rack system addresses safety and efficiency issues in rolling mill maintenance by enabling remote, automated transfer of cylinders, reducing manual handling and cycle times.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023001181
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-02-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-02-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing systems for maintaining rolling mills require significant manual handling of heavy cylinders, posing safety risks due to the need for operators to guide extraction and insertion operations, and suffer from inefficiencies in cylinder replacement due to limitations in automatic guidance vehicle access.
A rack system with a support chassis and motorized handling system that allows racks to be moved between storage and transport positions, enabling efficient transfer of cylinders between the rolling mill and a remote storage area, reducing the need for manual handling and optimizing the use of automatic guidance vehicles.
The system enhances safety by minimizing manual handling of heavy cylinders and reduces maintenance cycle times by allowing efficient access and movement of racks and cylinders, even when automatic guidance vehicles are under capacity.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Rack system, rolling installation comprising such a system and method implemented by such a system
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rack system, as well as a rolling plant comprising such a rack system.
[0002] The present disclosure also relates to a method for removing used cylinders, implemented by a rack system according to the present disclosure.
[0003] The present disclosure also relates to a method of feeding new or rectified cylinders, implemented by a rack system according to the present disclosure. Technical field
[0004] The field of the invention relates more particularly to the equipment used to carry out maintenance operations on a rolling mill of the 20 High type. 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 rolls (and sets of support rollers) are distributed into a lower group Gi and an upper group Gs, and according to a symmetrical configuration relative to the running plane of the metal strip to be rolled. [Fig. 5] of document US 5,193,377 illustrates for example the upper group with a working roll, two first intermediate rolls, three second intermediate rolls, and four sets of support rollers.
[0005] As rolling campaigns progress, it is necessary to renew the surface condition of the rolling mill rolls, this operation being carried out by opening the access door of the rolling mill stand and removing the rolls from the rolling mill stand. These rolls are then ground, before being inserted back into the rolling mill stand.
[0006] Each set of support rollers typically comprises a support shaft along which rollers typically formed by rolling bearings are distributed. For this purpose, the inner ring of each bearing is mounted on the support shaft, the outer ring of the bearing being intended to roll on one or even two contiguous cylinders belonging to the cylinders of the second intermediates. The set of support rollers also comprises a saddle whose arcuate body extends longitudinally over the length of the support shaft, and whose convex face is intended to bear on a concave seat of a mounting part of the cage. This saddle also has extensions, projecting from the concave face of the body, crossed by the support shaft, the extensions being distributed over the length of the shaft and in particular arranged between the rollers. Eccentric rings are also provided between the support shaft and these ex tensions, the shaft having a pinion intended to mesh in the rolling mill stand with a corresponding pinion, or even a rack. This pinion (or rack) thus makes it possible to drive the support shaft in rotation, and thus to move the position of the support shaft and the rollers carried in relation to the arcuate body of the saddle apart or closer together, thanks to the eccentric rings. It is understood that these sets of support rollers also require maintenance, which is carried out by removing this member from the stand, along the axis of said support shaft.
[0007] The operations of extracting (or putting in place by insertion) the internal organs (cylinders or set of support rollers) are usually carried out using handling equipment secured to the end of the organ to be removed (namely to the end of the cylinder to be removed or the support shaft of the set of support rollers to be removed), provided with a counterweight. The purpose of the counterweight is to balance the organ to be gripped when handled by the hoist of a workshop overhead crane, and in order to keep it substantially horizontal, and while the hook of the hoist grips a ring positioned on the equipment between the counterweight and the gripped organ. When the organ is removed (or conversely when it is put in place), the gripped organ is rigidly secured to the counterweight of the equipment, which is likely to swing at the lower end of the hoist cable.
[0008] During extraction maneuvers, operators are necessarily present near the seized organ, and in order to guide the extraction (or installation) operations which are thus particularly dangerous due to the possible swinging movements of the heavy elements suspended from the cable of the overhead crane. Prior art
[0009] However, it is known from the state of the art of robotic systems, in particular that disclosed by document WO 2022 / 229327 A1 of the present Applicant, illustrated in figures 1 and 2.
[0010] Thus, said rolling mill has a rolling mill 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, or even intermediate cylinders, in particular first intermediate cylinders 13 and second intermediate cylinders 14, 15, the rolling mill stand having an access opening, possibly closed by a door system. In Figures 1 and 2, the metal strip Bm extends longitudinally in a horizontal direction X, and transversely in a horizontal direction Y, the direction Y being parallel to the axes of the rolling mill cylinders.
[0011] Said installation comprises a robotic system 1 suitable for carrying out the operations of changing the rolling mill rolls, by extracting the worn rolls from the rolling mill stand and / or by inserting new (or rectified) rolls into the stand. of the rolling mill, said robotic system having a robot Ro comprising: - a carriage comprising a chassis 2 provided with wheels cooperating with Ral rails arranged on the ground, extending in the Y direction, in line with the access opening of the rolling mill stand, said chassis being configured to move in the Y direction along the Ral rails, and - a gripping system 6, configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of an end piece Eb secured to a cylinder, or the gripping of an end piece of a gripping system of a cylinder of the rolling mill.
[0012] The rolling installation also comprises a rack system comprising a support frame Cha, supporting removable racks Rac.
[0013] The support frame is fixed to the ground in an anchoring position at a distance from the rolling mill in the transverse direction Y and laterally to the rails Ral, the position of the support frame freeing up a maintenance aisle AL in the direction X, along the access opening of the rolling mill.
[0014] The support frame Cha comprises a first support Chai, and a second support Cha2 on which each of the racks Rac rests and the first support and the second support being oriented lengthwise in the transverse direction Y.
[0015] The robotic system 1 is configured to ensure the extraction of a worn cylinder, by gripping the end piece secured to the cylinder, or by gripping the cylinder by the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with depositing of the cylinder, laterally to the rails Ral, on the first rack resting on the support frame Cha. Conversely, the robotic system can grip a new working cylinder, prearranged on the rack, and with a view to inserting it into the rolling mill stand.
[0016] Notably, the complete rack of used rolls can be evacuated by automated guided vehicles, by accessing the free clearance from the distal end of the rack, furthest from the rolling mill stand.
[0017] According to the Applicant's findings, such a rolling installation comprising in particular such a robotic system and such a rack system is satisfactory, but nevertheless requires significant activity from the automatically guided vehicles to feed or extract the racks onto the support frame.
[0018] In particular, when several removable racks are arranged on the support frame, the automatic guided vehicle cannot access the rack closest to the rolling mill, without having first removed the racks located between this rack, closest to the stand, on the one hand, and the access mouth for the automatic guided vehicle, on the other hand, this mouth being located at the distal end of the rack, furthest from the stand of the rolling mill.
[0019] In the event of a lack of capacity of the automated guided vehicles, the removal of the racks only takes place, due to lack of time, at the distal section of the rack, the furthest from the cage, and not at the proximal section, closest to the cage. Only the racks arranged on the distal section can be extracted / fed, which has the consequence of increasing the distance traveled by the robot from the cage to place or retrieve a cylinder on the rack, and therefore increasing the maintenance cycle time, with a consequent increase in the downtime of rolling operations from the installation to the rolling mill. Summary
[0020] The present disclosure improves the situation.
[0021] According to a first aspect, there is provided a rack system for storing rolls of a rolling mill comprising: - a support frame configured to support several racks, distributed along the length of the support frame in different positions depending on the length of the rack, the support frame comprising a first support, and a second support, respectively fixed to the ground in parallel, the first support and the second support leaving a free clearance between them, arranged below the level of the racks resting on the support frame, - at least a first rack and a second rack configured to rest by bearing on the support frame Cha, by resting simultaneously on the first support and the second support, at two opposite edges of the first rack in two positions along the length of the first rack and at 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 frame along the length of the support frame.
[0022] According to said rack system according to the present disclosure: - at least said first rack is configured to move from a storage position for which said first rack rests simultaneously on the first support and the second support to a transport position for which the first rack is configured to be retracted into the free 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 free clearance between the first support and the second support, said handling system comprising: — a chassis provided with movement means configured to circulate between the first support and the second support, along the length of the support chassis, — lifting means configured to ensure support of 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 in 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 it to be retracted 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 chassis so as to move the first rack, under the second rack resting on the support chassis in said intermediate position, from a first side of the second rack to a second opposite side.
[0023] According to features of the present disclosure, taken alone or in combination:
[0024] - the support frame comprises first support portions, projecting from the first support and second support directed towards the inside of the free clearance, the first support portions distributed locally along the length of the support frame and in which the first rack comprises second support portions, projecting from the first rack towards the outside, the second support portions distributed locally along a dimension first rack and in which said storage position is obtained by pressing the second projecting portions of the first rack on the first projecting portions of the support frame, and in which 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 shift the vertical alignment between the second support portions and the first support portions.
[0025] - the rack system comprises a plurality of pairs of first portions protruding 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.
[0026] - the moving means comprise rolling means of the system of ma maintenance comprising rails, arranged along the length of the free clearance and chassis wheels configured to travel along the rails while being guided by the rails.
[0027] - the lifting means comprise a scissor lift.
[0028] - said at least one first rack supports working, rolling cylinders, by example, preferably the cylinders parallel to each other, oriented for example perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support frame.
[0029] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to an installation for rolling a metal strip comprising a rolling mill, and a rack system according to the present disclosure, said rolling mill having a rolling mill stand and a set of cylinders, internal to the stand, including two working cylinders, support cylinders or support rollers, or even intermediate cylinders, in particular first intermediate cylinders and second intermediate cylinders, the rolling mill stand having an access opening, possibly 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 cylinders of the rolling mill, said installation comprising a robotic system suitable for carrying out rolling mill roll changing operations, by extracting 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 comprising: - a carriage comprising a chassis provided with wheels cooperating with rails arranged on the ground, extending in the Y direction, in line with the access opening of the rolling mill stand, said chassis being configured to move in the Y direction along the Ral rails, and a gripping system, configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of an end piece secured to a cylinder, or the gripping of an end piece of a gripping system of a rolling mill cylinder, and wherein said support frame 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, freeing up a maintenance aisle in the X direction, along the access opening of the rolling mill, the support frame including the first support, the second support and the free clearance IT oriented lengthwise in the transverse direction; and in which the robotic system is configured to ensure the extraction of a cylinder, by gripping the end piece secured to the cylinder, or by gripping the cylinder by the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with depositing of the cylinder, 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 in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from said storage position of the first rack in simultaneous support of the first support and the second support, the first rack in support of the proximal section: - / a / the passage of the first rack into said transport position of the first rack, allowing it to be retracted into the free clearance, - / b / the descent of the first rack into the free space between the first support and the second support, in 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 and to a second opposite side, - / d / the raising of the first rack above the free clearance, - Id the 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 of the support chassis, opposite the proximal section of the chassis.
[0030] According to one embodiment, said installation comprises an automatic guided vehicle configured to be inserted into the free clearance between the first support and the second support at the distal section of the support frame, the automatic guided vehicle configured to remove or supply the support frame with racks, including extracting the first rack resting in said second storage position.
[0031] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for removing used rolls implemented by a rack system according to the present disclosure, or belonging to an installation according to the present disclosure, the first rack carrying used working rolls resting on the support frame, on a proximal length section of the support frame, close to a rolling mill stand, opposite a distal length section of the support frame, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from said storage position of the first rack bearing simultaneously on the first support and the second support the first rack bearing on the proximal length section, the following steps: / a / passage of the first rack into said transport position of the first rack, allowing it to be retracted into the free clearance, / b / lowering 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 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 a first side of the second rack and to a second opposite side, / d / raising the chassis above the free 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 support chassis, in particular by an automatic guided vehicle.
[0032] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure also relates to a method for feeding new or rectified rolls implemented by a rack system according to the present disclosure, or belonging to an installation according to the present disclosure, in which a first rack carrying new or rectified working rolls is fed onto a distal section of the support frame length, opposite a proximal section of the support frame length, close to a rolling mill stand, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from a storage position of the first rack bearing simultaneously on the first support and the second support, said first rack bearing on the distal section, the following steps: - passage of the first rack into said transport position of the first rack, allowing it to be retracted into the free space, - lowering the first support 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 - joint movement of the handling system and said first rack supported by the lifting means in the lowered position, 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 a first side of the second rack and to a second opposite side, - raising the first rack above the free 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. Brief description of the drawings
[0033] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l
[0034] [Fig.l] is a view of a rolling installation according to the state of the art comprising: - a rolling mill comprising rolls, including two working rolls ensuring the rolling of a metal strip moving in the X direction, and in the axis of a maintenance window of the rolling mill stand, - a robotic system running on rails in a Y direction suitable for changing the rolling mill cylinders, - a rack system comprising a support frame, arranged at a distance from the rolling mill, leaving a maintenance aisle free, between the rack system and the rolling mill stand, the maintenance aisle oriented in the X direction, parallel to the metal strip, the rack 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 parallel support and a second parallel support, on which are arranged a plurality of racks, arranged successively along the length of the support frame, each bearing 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 on one of the racks, and to grasp a new (or ground) cylinder prearranged on a rack and insert it as a replacement in the rolling mill stand. Fig. 2
[0035] [Fig.2] is a view according to [Fig.l], for which the racks comprising, on or near a proximal section of the support frame close to the cage, two racks supporting working cylinders, and on or near a distal section of the support frame, opposite a proximal section of the support frame, two racks of larger dimension supporting the cylinders of first intermediates and the cylinders of second intermediates, the two supports, first support and second support leaving between them a free clearance for an automatic guided vehicle circulating in the workshop, the automatic guided vehicle configured to evacuate the racks supporting worn cylinders from the support frame, or on the contrary to supply the frame with racks supporting new cylinders. Fig. 3
[0036] [Fig.3] is a view of an installation according to the present disclosure comprising: - a rolling mill comprising cylinders, including two working cylinders ensuring the rolling of a metal strip running in the X direction, the cylinders arranged in the axis of a maintenance window of the rolling mill stand, - a robotic system running on rails in a Y direction suitable for changing the rolling mill cylinders, - a rack system comprising a support frame, arranged at a distance from the rolling mill, leaving a maintenance aisle free between the rack system and the rolling mill stand, the maintenance aisle following the X direction parallel to the metal strip metal, the rack 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 support and a second support, arranged parallel, on which are arranged a plurality of racks, arranged successively along the length of the support frame, each bearing 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 on one of the racks, and to grasp a new (or ground) cylinder prearranged on a rack and insert it as a replacement in the rolling mill stand. Fig. 4
[0037] [Fig.4] is a view according to [Fig.3], partial. Fig. 5
[0038] [Fig.5] is a top view of the rack system which extends, from the left, of the distal section, to the proximal section of the support frame, on the right, the support frame being free of rack at the level of the distal section, left, supporting from right to left, in simultaneous support on the first support and the second support: - a first rack receiving working cylinders, at the level of the proximal section of the support frame, - a second rack receiving working cylinders, in an intermediate position on the support frame between the distal section and the proximal section, - a third rack, of larger dimension in a direction transverse to the support frame, receiving first intermediate cylinders, in another intermediate position on the support frame. Fig. 6a
[0039] [Fig.6a] is a detail view of the cooperation between the support frame, on the one hand, and the first rack and the second rack, on the other hand, the support frame notably comprising first support portions, projecting from the first support and projecting from the second support directed towards the inside of the free clearance, the first support portions distributed locally along the length of the support frame and in which the first rack comprises second support portions, projecting from the first rack towards the outside, the second support portions distributed locally along a dimension of the first rack and in which said storage position is obtained by pressing the second projecting portions of the first rack on the first projecting portions of the support frame, 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 frame,by the handling system of, so as to offset the vertical alignment between the second support portions and the first support portions, and so as to allow the first rack to descend into the free clearance.
[0040] [Fig.6b]
[0041] [Fig.6b] is a detail view of [Fig.6a]. Fig. 7a
[0042] [Fig.7a] is a side view of the rack system illustrating a first image of a method of removing the first rack receiving used working cylinders, the first rack resting on the support frame, at 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
[0043] [Fig.7b] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7a], illustrating the rise of the means of lifting, in particular raising a scissor lift to the support of the first rack by the bridge. Fig. 7c
[0044] [Fig.7c] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7b], illustrating, following the continuation of the mounting of the first rack, the loss of contact between, on the one hand, the second projecting portions, integral with the first rack and, on the other hand, the first projecting portions integral with the support frame. Fig. 7d
[0045] [Fig.7d] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7c], for which the first rack is moved by the motorized handling system in order to shift the vertical alignment between the second projecting portions of the first rack and the first portions to a transport position, allowing the first rack to descend into the free clearance. Fig. 7e
[0046] [Fig.7e] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7c], illustrating the descent of means of washing 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
[0047] [Fig.7f] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7e] for which the handling system and the first rack supported in the lowered position circulate under the second rack resting on the support frame. Fig.7g
[0048] [Fig.7g] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7f] for which the ma- The steering gear is located at the distal section of the support frame. Fig. 7h
[0049] [Fig.7h] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7g] for which the lifting means of the handling system raise the first rack, the first projecting positions of the frame 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 frame, to a height position of the first rack above the first projecting portions. Fig.7i
[0050] [Fig.7i] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7h] for which the handling system moves the first rack in order to vertically align the second projecting portions of the first rack with the first projecting portions of the support frame at the distal section. Fig.7j
[0051] [Fig.7j] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7h] for which the lifting means of the handling system lower the first rack in order to place the first rack on the support frame, the second projecting portions of the first rack resting on the first projecting portions of the support frame. Fig.7k
[0052] [Fig.7k] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7j] for which the lifting means, in particular the scissor platform is retracted / lowered, in order to allow the movement of the handling system towards the proximal section.
[0053] [Fig.71]
[0054] [Fig.71] is a consecutive view of [Fig.7k] for which the system of ma The maintenance is moved to a position releasing the free clearance at the distal section of the support frame, freeing access for extraction of the first rack resting on the distal section.
[0055] [Fig.7m]
[0056] [Fig.7m] is a consecutive view of [Fig.71] for which an automatic guided vehicle is inserted from a mouth at the distal end of the support frame, into the free clearance under the first rack for the purpose of evacuating the first rack. Description of the embodiments
[0057] The present disclosure relates to a rack system SR for storing rolls of a rolling mill comprising a support frame Cha configured to support several racks Rac, distributed along the length of the support frame Cha, in different positions along the length of the rack.
[0058] The support frame Cha comprises a first support Chai and a second support Cha2, respectively fixed to the ground in a manner parallel to each other, oriented in the length direction of the support frame Ch. The first support Chai and the second support Cha2 leave a free clearance IT between them, the free clearance arranged below the level of the racks resting on the support frame Cha.
[0059] The rack system comprises several racks comprising at least a first rack Ral and a second rack Ra2 configured to rest by bearing on the support frame Cha, while resting simultaneously on the first support Chai and the second support Cha2.
[0060] The first rack Ral rests on the support frame, at two opposite edges of the first rack Racl, in two positions along the length of the first rack, the two edges respectively resting on the first support Chai and the second support Ch2.
[0061] The second rack Ra2 rests on the support frame, 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.
[0062] Generally speaking, and as illustrated in [Fig. 3], the SR rack system according to the present disclosure finds a particular application in a metal strip rolling installation comprising a rolling mill L, and such an SR rack system.
[0063] Said rolling mill has a rolling mill stand and a set of cylinders, internal to the stand, including two working cylinders 12, support cylinders or sets of support rollers A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, or even intermediate cylinders, in particular first intermediate cylinders 13 and second intermediate cylinders 14, 15.
[0064] The rolling mill may typically be a 20-roll rolling 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 bearing respectively by two contact generators on the first two intermediate cylinders 13, and the third, intercalated, bearing 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 bearing respectively by two contact generators on the first two intermediate cylinders 13, and the third, intercalated, bearing on the first two intermediate cylinders 13 by two generatrices contact rollers) and four cylinders (or set of support rollers) H, G, F, E.
[0065] The rolling mill stand has an access opening, possibly closed by a door system. The metal strip Bm extends 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.
[0066] The installation comprises a robotic system 1 suitable for carrying out rolling mill roll changing operations, by extracting worn rolls from the rolling mill stand and / or inserting new or rectified rolls into the rolling mill stand.
[0067] The robotic system comprises a robot Ro comprising a carriage comprising a chassis 2 provided with wheels cooperating with rails Ral arranged on the ground, extending in the direction Y, in line with the access opening of the rolling mill stand, said chassis being configured to move in the direction Y along the rails Ral, and a gripping system configured to control the locking and unlocking of the gripping of an end piece Eb secured to a cylinder, or even the gripping of an end piece of a gripping system of a cylinder of the rolling mill.
[0068] The supporting frame Cha of the rack system is fixed to the floor in an anchoring position at distance from the rolling mill in the transverse Y direction and laterally to the Ral rails, freeing up a maintenance aisle AL extending in the X direction parallel to the metal strip, along the access opening of the rolling mill, the support frame Cha including the first support Chai, the second support Cha2 and the free clearance IT oriented in length in the transverse Y direction, laterally to the Ral rails.
[0069] The robotic system 1 is configured to ensure the extraction of a typically worn cylinder, for example a working cylinder 12, by gripping the end piece secured to the cylinder, or by gripping the cylinder by the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with removal of the cylinder, laterally to the rails Ral on the first rack Racl resting on the support frame Cha. Conversely, the robotic system can allow a new (or rectified) cylinder to be gripped on the first rack and inserted into the rolling mill stand.
[0070] The first rack Racl on which the robotic system 1 places or extracts the rolls, in particular the working rolls 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 (from the rolling mill) from which the racks are fed or extracted, typically by an automatic guided vehicle VGA.
[0071] Notably, and according to the rack system SR according to the present disclosure, at least said first rack Ral is configured to move from a storage position PS for which said first rack Racl rests simultaneously on the first support Chai and the second support Ch2 to a transport position PT for in which the first Racl rack is configured to be retracted into the free clearance IT, below the level of the second Rac2 rack resting on said Cha support frame in the intermediate position.
[0072] The rack system SR also comprises a motorized handling system SM, configured to move in said free clearance IT between the first support Chai and the second support Cha2 and along the length of the latter.
[0073] The SM handling system comprises: - a SMCH chassis provided with movement means configured to circulate 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, - SML lifting means configured to ensure support of at least the first Racl rack in said transport position PT.
[0074] The moving means typically comprise rolling means of the handling system comprising RSM rails, arranged along the length of the free clearance IT and typically motorized wheels of the CHSM chassis, configured to travel along the rails while being guided by the rails. The SM lifting means may comprise a scissor lift.
[0075] The handling system SM is configured to ensure, from said storage position PS of the first rack Racl in simultaneous support of the first support Chai 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 Racl rack into said transport position PT of the first Racl rack, allowing it to be retracted into the free clearance IT, as illustrated in [Fig.7d] / b / a descent of the first rack Racl into the free clearance IT between the first support Chai and the second support Cha2, into a lowered position below the level of the second rack Rac2 resting on the support frame Ch in said intermediate position, as illustrated in [Fig.7e], and / c / a joint movement of the handling system SM and said first rack Racl 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 Racl, under the second rack Rac2 resting on the support chassis Cha in said intermediate position, from a first side Cl of the second rack Rac2 and to a second side C2, opposite, as illustrated in figures 7f, 7g.
[0076] Following step / c / , the handling system SM can be configured to further ensure : - / d / the rise of the first rack above the free clearance Int as illustrated in [Fig.7h], - Id the passage of the first rack Racl, 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 [Fig.7j].
[0077] The rolling installation may comprise at least one automatic guided vehicle VGA configured to be inserted between the first support Chai and the second support Cha2 at the distal section Sdist of the support frame, the automatic guided vehicle configured to remove or feed the support frame Chai with racks, including extracting the first rack Racl resting in said second storage position PS2.
[0078] Typically, the lifting means are then retracted, to allow the movement of the handling system SM, towards the proximal section Sprox, and in order to release the free clearance IT at the proximal section Sprox, and as illustrated according to the direction of movement of the arrow in [Fig.7k] and according to a step / f / . Once the handling system SM has been moved and thus the free clearance released at the distal section Sdist ([Fig.71]), the first rack Racl can be evacuated, typically by an automatic guided vehicle VGA by inserting itself from a mouth between the first support Cha 1 and the second support Cha2, at the proximal section Sdist ([Fig.7m]).
[0079] Generally, the handling system is provided with a motor / actuator and in particular the movement means, for example for the motorization of one or more wheels, and the lifting means for actuation during lifting and lowering.
[0080] Generally speaking, the sequence implemented for the handling system can be implemented by an automation system which comprises a processor and a memory containing instructions for implementing steps / a / to Id, or even / f / .
[0081] Generally speaking, and as illustrated for information purposes in the figures, in particular in figures 5, 6 and 6a, the support frame Cha may comprise first support portions POS1, projecting from the first support Chai and from the second support Ch2 directed towards the inside of the free clearance IT, the first support portions POS1 distributed locally along the length of the support frame Cha.
[0082] The first portions of support POS1 projecting from the first support Cha 1 and projecting from the second support Cha2, may project respectively from a spar of the first support Chai and from a spar of the second support Cha2.
[0083] The first Racl rack then comprises second support portions POS2, projecting from the first Racl rack towards the outside of the second support portions P0S2, distributed locally along a first rack dimension Racl, on both sides of the first rack Rac 1.
[0084] The storage position PS is then obtained by pressing the second projecting portions POS2 of the first rack Racl on the first projecting portions POS1 of the support frame Cha, and as illustrated in figures 6 and 6a.
[0085] The transport position PT is obtained by lifting the first rack Racl from the storage position PS (see for example [Fig.7c]) and by a displacement of the first rack Racl along the support frame Cha, by the handling system SM so as to shift the vertical alignment between the second support portions POS2 and the first support portions POS1 (see for example [Fig.7d]). The displacement ensuring the shift of the vertical alignment is typically a displacement, less than the dimension of the first rack along the longitudinal direction of the support frame, 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 frame Cha, and as visible in Figures 7c and 7c.
[0086] The rack system SR may typically comprise a plurality of pairs of first projecting portions POS1 along the length of the support frame Cha, allowing the support of the first rack Racl in said storage position PS, in several discontinuous positions along the length of the support frame Cha, and typically at the proximal section Sprox of the support frame Cha and the proximal section of the support frame.
[0087] At least according to one embodiment notably illustrated in the figures, it is noted that the support frame Cha comprises pairs of projecting portions, allowing the support of the second rack Rac2, juxtaposed with the first rack Rac1 then arranged at the level of the proximal section.
[0088] For example and according to the example illustrated, the couples make it possible to position the first rack Racl on the proximal section Sprox, a second rack Rac2 arranged contiguous to the first rack, the second rack comprising, like the first rack Racl, second projecting portions POS2 resting on the first projecting portions POS1.
[0089] At least, according to one embodiment, said at least one first rack Racl can support working rolling cylinders 12, for example, preferably the cylinders parallel to each other, oriented for example perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support frame Cha.
[0090] The width dimension of the support frame is such that the first rack Racl and the working cylinders 12 supported by the first rack Rac 1 can be retracted into the free clearance IT, in particular during steps / b / , / c / and / d / .
[0091] The other racks, in particular the second rack Rac2 and / or the third rack Rac3 may be similar to the first rack, comprising the second projecting portions and be evacuated according to the same sequence as the first rack Racl, by said handling system. Alternatively, the other racks, in particular the third rack Rac3, may be different from the first rack. It may in particular be a rack of larger dimensions, so as to be supported by bearing on the side members of the first and second supports Chai and Cha2, and without being able to be retracted into the free clearance IT.
[0092] For example in the figures, the third rack Rac3 allows the first free clearance cylinders IT to be received.
[0093] Advantageously, and compared to the state of the art, the rack system according to the present disclosure makes it possible to evacuate the first rack Racl on the proximal section Sprox of the support frame Cha, close to the rolling mill, without having to first remove the second rack Rac2, or even a third rack Rac3 arranged juxtaposed in the intermediate position of the support frame, in particular as illustrated in the sequence of figures 7a to 7m, thanks to the handling system SM which ensures the transport of the first rack Racl and free IT, under the racks Rac2, Rac3, and until the first rack is placed on the distal section Sdist, free of rack, from which the first rack and the worn working rolls 12 can be extracted, typically by the automatic guided vehicle VGA.
[0094] Thus, in general, the present disclosure also relates to a method for removing used cylinders implemented by a rack system according to the present disclosure, or belonging to a rolling installation according to the present disclosure, the first rack Racl carrying used working cylinders 12 resting on the support frame Cha, on a proximal section Sprox of the length of the support frame, close to a rolling mill stand L, the proximal section opposite a distal section Sdist of the length of the support frame, and in which the handling system SM is configured to ensure, from said storage position PS of the first Racl rack in simultaneous support on the first Chai support and the second Cha2 support, the first Racl rack in support on the proximal length section Sprox, by the following steps: / a / passage of the first Racl rack into said transport position PT of the first rack, authorizing its retraction into the free clearance IT, / b / lowering the first Rack Racl into the free space between the first Chai support and the second Cha2 support, 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 SM handling system and said first Racl rack supported by the lifting means in the lowered position of the first Racl rack, by a movement of the SM handling system along the length of the chassis so as to moving the first rack, under the second rack Rac 2 resting in said intermediate position, from a first side Cl of the second rack and to a second opposite side C2, to the distal section of the support frame, / d / raising the frame above the free clearance, ld passing the first rack Racl from the transport position PT of the first rack to a second storage position PS2, the first rack Racl resting on the frame, on the distal section Sdist, opposite the proximal section Sprox of the frame.
[0095] The first rack Racl is then evacuated from the distal section Sdist of the support frame, in particular by an automatic guided vehicle VGA.
[0096] Conversely, advantageously compared to the state of the art, the rack system according to the present disclosure makes it possible to feed a first rack Rac1 on the distal section, in particular loaded with new or ground working rolls and to transfer it 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 predisposed in one or more intermediate positions of the support frame, namely between the distal section and the proximal section, and advantageously thanks to the handling system which ensures the transport of the first rack Rac1 and the working rolls 12 supported by the first rack, by the free clearance IT, and along a movement path passing under the racks Rac2, Rac3, and until it is placed on the proximal section, free of rack.
[0097] Thus, and in general, the present disclosure also relates to a method for feeding new (or rectified) rolls implemented by a rack system according to the present disclosure, or belonging to an installation according to the present disclosure, in which a distal section Sdist of length of the support frame, opposite a proximal section Sprox of length of the support frame, close to a rolling mill stand, is fed with a first rack Rac carrying new (or rectified) working rolls 12, typically by an automatic guided vehicle VGA, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from a storage position of the first rack bearing simultaneously on the first support Chai and the second support Cha2, said first rack Racl bearing on the distal section Sdist, the following steps: / al / passage of the first rack Racl into said transport position PT of the first rack Ral, authorizing its retraction into the free clearance IT, / b 1 / lowering of the first Chai support into the free clearance IT between the first Chai support and the second Cha2 support, into a lowered position below the level of the second Rac2 rack resting on the Cha support frame in said intermediate position, and / cl / joint movement of the SM handling system and said first Racl rack supported by the SML lifting means in the lowered position, by a movement of the handling system SM following the length of the chassis so as to move the first rack Racl, 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, and to the proximal section of the support chassis, / dl / raising of the first rack Racl above the free clearance, / el / passage of the first rack Racl from the transport position PT of the first rack Racl to a second storage position the first rack Racl resting on the support chassis Cha, on the proximal section Sprox, opposite the distal section Sdist of the support chassis.
[0098] As far as possible, the storage system according to the present disclosure makes it possible to arrange 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) working rolls 12 to be fed into the rolling mill stand, the other rack intended to receive or receiving the worn working rolls 12.
[0099] With regard to the working rolls 12, which require a higher replacement frequency than the other rolls, in particular the first intermediate rolls 13 or the second intermediate rolls 14 15, or support rolls A to H, the robotic system makes it possible to deposit or recover the working rolls 12 from the area of the support frame closest to the rolling mill, and not from the distal section, the furthest away, even when the frequency of passage of the guided vehicles is low. The travel distances of the robotic system along the rails Ral are advantageously limited during roll replacement operations. This makes it possible to actually reduce the roll replacement cycle time compared to the state of the art introduced in the introduction disclosed by WO 2022 / 229327Al in the event of undercapacity of automatic guided vehicles. List of reference signs
[0100] L. Rolling mill, - 1. Robotic system, - 2 Chassis - Ro. Robot, - Ral. Rail following the Y direction - AL. Maintenance aisle (between the rolling mill stand and the rack support frame, oriented in a direction parallel to the rolling strip), - SR. Rack system, - Rac. Rack, - Racl, Rac2, Rac3. Respectively first rack, second rack and third rack, - Cha. Support frame, - Chai, 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), - Chai, Cha2. First support and second support -POS1, POS2. First protruding portions and second protruding portions, - PS, PS2. Storage positions (first rack) - PT. Transport position, -SM. Motorized handling system, - SMCH. Chassis - SML Lifting equipment, - RSM. Rails (Handling System) Rolling mill arrangement 20 Hi ([Fig.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
Claims
1. Rack system (SR) for storing rolls of a rolling mill 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 length of the rack, the support frame (Cha) comprising a first support (Chai), and a second support (Cha2), respectively fixed to the ground in parallel, the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2) leaving a free clearance (IT) between them, arranged below the level of the racks resting on the support frame (Cha), - at least a first rack (Ral) and a second rack (Ra2) configured to rest by bearing on the support frame Cha, by resting simultaneously on the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2), at two opposite edges of the first rack (Racl) 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 (Ral) is configured to move from a storage position (PS) for which said first rack (Racl) rests simultaneously on the first support (Chai) and the second support (Ch2) to a transport position (PT) for which the first rack (Racl) 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 (Chai) and the second support (Cha2), said handling system (SM) comprising: — a chassis (SMCH) provided with movement means configured to circulate between the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2), along the length of the support chassis, — lifting means (SML) configured to ensure support of at least the first rack (Racl) in said transport position (PT),
2.
3. and in which said handling system (SM) is configured to ensure, from said storage position (PS) of the first rack (Racl) in simultaneous support of the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2): / a / a passage of the first rack (Racl) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack (Racl), authorizing its retraction into the free clearance (IT) / b / a descent of the first rack (Racl) into the free clearance (IT) between the first support (Chai) 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 said first rack (Racl) 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 (Racl), under the second rack (Rac2) resting on the support chassis (Cha) in said intermediate position, from a first side (Cl) of the second rack (Rac2) and to a second opposite side (C2). Rack system according to claim 1, in which the support chassis (Cha) comprises first support portions (POS1), projecting from the first support (Chai) and from the second support (Ch2) directed towards the inside of the free clearance (IT), the first support portions (POS1) distributed locally along the length of the support chassis (Cha) and in which the first rack (Racl) comprises second support portions (POS2), projecting from the first rack (Racl) towards the outside,the second support portions (POS2) distributed locally along a first rack dimension (Racl) and in which said storage position (PS) is obtained by pressing the second projecting portions (POS2) of the first rack (Racl) on the first projecting portions (POS1) of the support frame (Cha), and in which said transport position (PT) is obtained by lifting the first rack (Racl) from the storage position (PS) and by moving the first rack (Racl) 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)., Rack system (SR) according to claim 2 comprising a plurality of pairs of first projecting portions (POS1) along the length of the support frame (Cha), allowing the support of the first rack (Racl) in said storage position, in several discontinuous positions along the length of the support frame (Cha).
4. Rack system according to one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the movement means comprise rolling means of the handling system comprising rails (RSM), arranged along the length of the free clearance (IT) and wheels of the chassis (CHSM) configured to circulate along the rails (RSM) while being guided by the rails.
5. Rack system according to one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the lifting means (SM) comprise a scissor lift.
6. Rack system according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said at least one first rack (Racl) supports working rolls (12), for example rolling, preferably the rolls parallel to each other, oriented for example perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the support frame (Cha).
7. Installation for rolling a metal strip comprising a rolling mill (L), and a rack system according to one of claims 1 to 6, said rolling mill having a rolling mill 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), or even intermediate cylinders, in particular first intermediate cylinders (13) and second intermediate cylinders (14, 15), the rolling mill stand having an access opening, possibly 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 cylinders of the rolling mill, said installation comprising a robotic system (1) suitable for carrying out the operations of changing the cylinders of the rolling mill,by extracting the worn cylinders from the rolling mill stand and / or inserting new or rectified cylinders into the rolling mill stand, said robotic system comprising a robot (Ro) comprising: - a carriage comprising a chassis (2) provided with wheels cooperating with rails (Ral) arranged on the ground, extending in the Y direction, in line with the access opening of the rolling mill stand, said chassis being configured to move in the Y direction along the rails (Ral), and a gripping system (6), configured to control the locking and un-, locking the gripping of an end piece (Eb) attached to a cylinder, or the gripping of an end piece of a gripping system of a rolling mill cylinder, and in which said support frame (Cha) is fixed to the ground in an anchoring position at a distance from the rolling mill in the transverse direction Y and laterally to the rails (Ral), freeing up a maintenance aisle (AL) in the direction X, along the access opening of the rolling mill, the support frame (Cha) including the first support (Chai), the second support (Cha2) and the free clearance (IT) oriented lengthwise in the transverse direction (Y); and in which the robotic system (1) is configured to ensure the extraction of a cylinder, by gripping the end piece secured to the cylinder, or by gripping the cylinder by the gripping system locked by the gripping system, with depositing of the cylinder, laterally to the rails (Ral), on the first rack (Racl) resting on the support frame (Cha) in said storage position (PS), the first rack (Racl) resting on the support frame (Cha), on a proximal section (Spro) of length of the support frame, opposite a distal section (Ddist) 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 (Racl) simultaneously supporting the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2), the first rack supporting the proximal section (Sprox): - / a / the passage of the first rack (Racl) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack, authorizing its retraction into the free clearance (Int), - / b / the lowering of the first rack (Racl) into the free clearance between the first support (Chai) 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 said first rack (Racl) supported by the lifting means (SML) in the lowered position of the first rack, by a movement of the handling system (SM) along the length of the chassis so as to move the first rack (Racl), under the second rack (Rac2) resting in said intermediate position, from the first side (Cl) of the second rack and to an opposite second side (C2), - / d / the rise of the first rack above the free clearance (Int), - / e / the passage of the first rack (Racl) 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, distal, opposite the proximal section (Sprox) of the chassis.
8. Installation according to claim 7 comprising an automatic guided vehicle (VGA) configured to be inserted into the free clearance between the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2) at the distal section (Sdist) of the support frame, the automatic guided vehicle (VGA) configured to remove or supply the support frame (Chai) with racks, including extracting the first rack (Racl) resting in said second storage position (PS2).
9. Method for removing used rolls implemented by a rack system according to one of claims 1 to 6, or belonging to an installation according to claim 7 or 8, the first rack (Racl) carrying used working rolls (12) resting on the support frame (Cha), on a proximal section (Sprox) of length of the support frame, close to a rolling mill stand (L), opposite a distal section (Sdist) of length of the support frame, the handling system (SM) is configured to ensure, from said storage position (PS) of the first rack (Racl) in simultaneous support on the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2), the first rack (Racl) in support on the proximal length section (Sprox), the following steps: / a / passage of the first rack (Racl) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack, allowing it to be retracted into the free clearance (Int), / b / lowering of the first rack (Racl) into the free clearance between the first support (Chai) 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 (Racl) supported by the lifting means in 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 (Racl), under the second rack (Rac2) resting in said intermediate position, from a first side (Cl) of the second rack and to a second opposite side (C2), / d / raising of the frame above the free clearance (IT), / e / passage of the first rack (Racl) 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) opposite the proximal section (Sprox) of the chassis, and in which the first rack (Racl) is evacuated from the distal section (Sdist) of the support chassis (Cha), in particular by an automatic guided vehicle (VGA).
10. Method for feeding new or rectified cylinders implemented by a rack system according to one of claims 1 to 6, or belonging to an installation according to claim 7 or 8, in which a first rack (Racl) carrying new or rectified working cylinders (12) is fed onto a distal section (Sdist) of the length of the support frame, opposite a proximal section (Sprox) of the length of the support frame, close to a rolling mill stand, and in which the handling system is configured to ensure, from a storage position of the first rack in simultaneous support on the first support (Chai) and the second support (Cha2), said first rack (Racl) in support on the distal section (Sdist), the following steps: - passage of the first rack (Racl) into said transport position (PT) of the first rack (Ral), allowing it to be retracted into the free clearance (IT),- lowering the first support (Chai) into the free clearance (IT) between the first support (Chai) 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 said first rack (Racl) 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 (Racl), 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, - raising the first rack (Racl) above the free clearance, - passing the first rack (Racl) from the transport position (PT) of the first rack (Racl) to a second storage position, the first rack (Racl) resting on the support frame (Cha), on the proximal section (Sprox),opposite the distal section (Sdist) of the support frame.,