Method and apparatus for vertical roll storage

A system for storing and lifting vertically oriented mill rolls, the system comprising:

• a crane including at least one rail;
• a trolley on the crane that moves relative to the at least one rail via at least one wheel;
• a sensor that moves in unison with the trolley;
• a mill roll stand that is positioned below the trolley;
• at least one opening defined by the mill roll stand, wherein the at least one opening is adapted to receive a mill roll in a vertical position;
• a target shape coupled to the mill roll stand, wherein the target shape is in operative communication with the sensor, wherein the sensor is adapted to locate a center of the target shape;
• wherein a center of the target shape is arranged along an axis extending through a center of the at least one opening;
• and
• a controller having wheel float logic that is in operative communication with the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine an offset distance between a portion of the sensor with the center of the target shape and generate a signal that instructs the at least one wheel to move to thereby align the portion of the sensor with the center of the target shape.

A method comprising:

• providing a rack or stand containing at least one mill roll stored in a vertical position in an opening defined by the rack or stand;
• positioning a target shape external the opening defined by the rack or stand;
• moving a crane carrying a sensor above the at least one mill roll;
• determining a center of the at least one mill roll via the sensor sensing a position of the crane relative to the target shape;
• and
• lifting the at least one mill roll by grasping an elevated end of the at least one mill roll from via the crane.