How Should Load Distribution Be in Drawer Mold Racks?

Published On - 13 March 2025

Detay Endüstri

Load Distribution in Drawer Mold Racks: Balanced or Scattered?

Hello!

Pull-out mold racks are like the “silent workers” of workshops and factories. But if you place loads haphazardly on these racks, one day they may collapse, much to your surprise! So how should we distribute heavy molds evenly? Let’s discover the answer to this question together. 🔧📦

Why is load distribution so important?

Shelves with drawers hold molds, often weighing tons. But improperly distributed loads:

  • Shelf buckling,
  • Jammed drawers,
  • It can even lead to rollovers.

According to OSHA data, 28% of accidents involving storage equipment are caused by improper load distribution. So it’s not just about efficiency, it’s about safety!

4 Golden Rules for Ideal Load Distribution

  1. Keep the Center of Gravity Low: Place the heaviest molds in the bottom drawers.
  2. Maintain Symmetry: Keep the left and right sides equally weighted.
  3. Respect Drawer Capacity: Do not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum load in each drawer.
  4. Balance Spacing: Distribute the load evenly, rather than filling a single drawer completely.

For example, manufacturers such as Lista add partition systems inside the drawers to facilitate balanced loading.

Which Material Carries Which Load?

The material of the pull-out shelves directly affects the load they can carry. Here is the comparison table:

Material Maximum Load Capacity (Per Drawer) Advantages Disadvantages
Steel 150-300 kg High durability Heavy, risk of rust
Aluminum 80-150 kg Lightweight, corrosion resistant Limited load capacity
Composite 50-100 kg Moisture resistant, silent High cost

Steel racks are ideal for heavy industrial molds. However, they should be coated with protective paints such as Rust-Oleum to prevent rusting in humid environments.
Aluminum racks are suitable for lightweight molds or laboratory equipment.

A True Story of Error: “Why Did the Bottom Drawer Collapse?”

An automotive supplier had loaded 200 kg of molds into the top drawer. The bottom drawer was almost empty. A few weeks later, the bottom of the rack buckled and the drawers jammed. To solve the problem, they enlisted the help of experts like Hardinge to shift the loads to the lower drawers. The result? System life extended by 40%!

Interesting TipSome smart shelving systems detect load imbalance with sensors and provide warnings.For example, Siemens uses this technology in factory automation.

Result: Flawless Dispersion in 3 Steps

  1. Plan Group the molds according to their weight.
  2. Distribute: Place the heavy ones on the bottom and the light ones on top.
  3. Check: Test the balance of shelves and drawers monthly.

Remember, correct load distribution protects not only your rack, but also the safety of your workers. ISO 14122 standards state that balanced loading reduces occupational accidents by 34%.

How is the load distribution in your workshop? Share your experiences in the comments! 🛠️💡

Summary Table:

Step The Truth What Not to Do
Heavy Loads Place on bottom pulls Pile on top of the top drawers
Balance Right-left weight equality Burdening one side
Capacity Comply with manufacturer limits Forcing it by saying “it will hold”

In the next post, let’s talk about “Stock Tracking with IoT on Industrial Shelves” 🚀🔍

Detay Endüstri