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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-09-16 Origin: Site
Walk into many manufacturing workshops, and you’ll see a familiar scene: several sets of molds either stacked on the floor or placed on wooden pallets, with spacers and cardboard piled nearby. When they’re needed, a veteran technician leads a team in rummaging through them for ages, while forklifts shuttle back and forth in the aisles. This scene is so common that many people assume “that’s just the way it’s supposed to be.” But a simple cost analysis reveals that while storing molds on the floor saves on shelving costs, it comes at the expense of time spent searching for them daily, the risks associated with manual handling, and the maintenance costs of the molds themselves.
Molds have distinct characteristics: they are heavy individually, have irregular shapes, require high precision, and vary greatly in usage frequency—some are used daily, while others are used only once every six months. Stacking them directly on the floor often leads to several problems. First, space utilization: Molds occupy “point-like” spaces, so even when spread out across the floor, the actual three-dimensional space they use is quite limited. Second, safety: Molds have a high center of gravity and sharp edges and corners, posing a significant risk of bumping into or being struck by them during manual handling; third, protection: oil, metal shavings, and moisture in the workshop can adhere to the mold surfaces; over time, critical components such as guide pins and cavities are prone to rust, which affects precision; fourth, management: without fixed locations, molds are placed wherever the last user left them, and locating them relies entirely on memory and luck. “Lifting” molds from the floor onto racks essentially transforms them from disorderly piles into a fixed-location management system where each mold has its own designated space.
Drawer-style (also known as pull-out) racks are the most common type of mold storage. The concept is somewhat similar to a filing cabinet: each level consists of a load-bearing drawer that can be pulled out as a single unit. Molds are arranged in compartments by size on the drawer, and when needed, the entire level is pulled out, allowing for direct retrieval and placement by overhead cranes, hoists, or manual labor—without having to reach deep into the rack.
Compared to standard shelving units, this design offers several practical advantages. During retrieval and storage, the molds are “brought right to you”—there’s no need to reach deep into the rack or rummage through piles; each compartment corresponds to a single set of molds, and once labeled with a number, inventory records match physical stock; shelf spacing can typically be adjusted to accommodate mold heights, ensuring that shorter molds don’t waste space while taller molds fit comfortably; and the drawers are generally equipped with load-bearing tracks, providing a relatively smooth and stable glide when pulled out.
1.Load Capacity and Structure.
Molds represent concentrated loads, not uniformly distributed loads. Placing a single heavy mold set on a pull-out shelf versus a row of small molds results in completely different stress patterns. Therefore, when selecting a model, clearly specify the individual weight and approximate dimensions of each mold so the manufacturer can design the structure based on the heaviest set, rather than an average value. For such requirements, Shibang Racking typically operates under the premise that “the unit’s own weight determines its load capacity”—by not cutting corners on materials, the pull-out panels will not sag after a period of use.
2.Smoothness of extension.
This can only be truly assessed by actually pulling the panel out once. The type of track, roller material, and panel thickness all affect the feel, especially when heavy molds are loaded. If possible, we recommend requesting to see a physical unit or sample rack during the selection phase.
3.Tilt Prevention and Securing.
When the pull-out panels are extended, the center of gravity shifts forward; the rack itself must be securely anchored to the floor. If necessary, install counterweights or anti-tilt devices. The levelness of the floor must also be confirmed in advance; an uneven floor will cause the panels to stick or jam during extension.
4.Aisles and Layout.
Sufficient operational space must be left in front of the mold racking. Whether the area is accessed by overhead cranes, forklifts, or solely by hand determines the required aisle width. If crane tracks have already been installed in the workshop, the racking layout must be planned in advance to avoid interference.
5.Allow for Future Expansion.
The number of molds will inevitably increase. It is better to choose adjustable compartments rather than fixed ones, as this facilitates adding additional levels or adjusting compartment spacing later on, eliminating the need to completely rebuild the entire system.
When Shibang Racking handles mold storage, the process typically begins with an on-site measurement: measuring the workshop’s clear height, assessing the floor conditions, and measuring the aisles. We then record the mold inventory list along with their weights and dimensions before developing a layout plan and drawings. The number of drawer tiers, the number of compartments per tier, and the direction of drawer pull can all be customized based on the actual mold configuration. After installation and commissioning, the system is ready for use. As the number of molds increases or decreases over time, additional tiers can be added or compartment spacing adjusted on the existing rack structure.
Ultimately, storing molds on racks isn’t about aesthetics—it’s about making it the norm to “find them, put them back, and avoid damage.” When locating a set of molds goes from rummaging through piles for ages to simply pulling open a drawer, the workflow in the workshop naturally becomes smoother.
