Support Apparatus, Handling System and Method

A fiber web manufacturing line, comprising;

• a floor;
• arranged on the floor at least two target stations which are devices of a fiber web manufacturing line;
• a movable support apparatus supported on the floor and movable between the at least two target stations, said movable support apparatus arranged to receive a winding roll, a shaft, or a machine reel about which a fiber web is or can be wrapped,
• wherein the movable support apparatus comprises:
• a chassis having a first support member configured to support a first support end of the roll, winding shaft or machine reel, and a second support member configured to support a second support end of said roll, winding shaft or machine reel;
• and
• wherein the chassis has at least one pressure medium cushion element arranged to support the chassis for movement over the floor so that the chassis is movable between the at least two devices of a fiber web manufacturing line.

A method for handling rolls, winding shafts or machine reels for handling of a fiber web, the rolls, winding shafts or machine reels having two supporting ends, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least one roll, winding shaft, or machine reel so that the roll, winding shaft, or machine reel is in supporting engagement on its support ends between two support members which are arranged on a support chassis;
• moving the support chassis in supporting engagement with the received roll, winding shaft, or machine reel over a floor between at least two target stations so that the chassis moves between at least two devices of a fiber web manufacturing process;
• wherein the step of moving the support chassis further comprises:
• supplying a pressure medium to at least one pressure medium cushion element mounted to the chassis and arranged between the chassis and the floor;
• and
• supporting the chassis on a film of pressure medium over the floor and moving the chassis between the at least two devices of a fiber web manufacturing process.

A method for winding a fiber web in a windup comprising:

• rotating a first winding shaft fitted to a first winding stand at a winding station for winding the fiber web;
• opening a winding nip in the windup between a winding cylinder and a machine reel formed on the first winding shaft with a machine direction movement of the first winding stand and moving a second empty winding stand to the winding station in the lateral direction into the space created;
• locking the empty second winding stand to the windup station and moving a second winding shaft to the second winding stand and locking the second winding shaft to the second winding stand;
• and
• moving the first movable winding stand away from the winding station to at least one device of a fiber web manufacturing process.

A method for unwinding a fiber web in an unwinder comprising:

• rotating a first winding shaft fitted to a first winding stand at an unwinding station for unwinding the fiber web;
• placing a web coming from a first machine reel being unwound on hold at a splicing device, and cutting the web between the first machine reel and the splicing device;
• unlocking the first winding stand and moving the first winding stand away from the unwinding station, and moving a second machine reel held up by a second winding stand to the unwinding station and locking the second winding stand followed by splicing a web forming the second machine reel to the web on hold at the splicing device;
• and
• further moving the first movable winding stand between the winding station and at least one device of a fiber web manufacturing process.