Industry
Furniture
Mottura: SILO² for vertical storage of molds and fabric rolls
- Furniture
- SILO²
- Molds and dies
- Rolls of fabric
The right mold at the press, fabric safely stored in the warehouse
Mottura S.p.A. installed four SILO² Vertical Lift Modules to solve two distinct critical issues: mold management near the injection presses and safe storage of fabric rolls. The two SILO² units at the presses reduced the mold storage area by 60%, with a telescopic picking and refilling station that requires no fixed floor footprint, keeping 744 molds per storage system protected and always available. The two SILO² VLMs for fabric manage 99 rolls per machine in just 12.52 m², protected from dust and humidity, with no forklift required.
Product
SILO² VLM for injection moulds · SILO² VLM for fabric rolls
Key result
–60% mould storage area · 744 moulds per SILO² in 20.16 m² · 1,300+ moulds protected from dust and damage · 99 fabric rolls per SILO² in 12.52 m² · picking without forklift
Key feature
SILO² for moulds with telescopic picking-refilling station
Mottura S.p.A.: international leader in window decoration
Founded in 1963 in San Giusto Canavese, Turin, Mottura S.p.A. is an Italian company and an international leader in the window covering and decoration industry. With four operating sites in Europe and a pre- and after-sales support network in more than 70 countries, the company designs and manufactures curtains and technical and decorative window systems that combine functionality, design and build quality.
The production of window systems requires plastic injection molds in different formats and weights, more than 1,300 different molds, as well as fabric rolls that must be stored under optimal conditions until they are used. Two distinct requirements, two tailor-made solutions.
The production of window systems requires plastic injection molds in different formats and weights, more than 1,300 different molds, as well as fabric rolls that must be stored under optimal conditions until they are used. Two distinct requirements, two tailor-made solutions.
The logistical challenges
The plastics moulding department and fabric storage each had their own problems: both hitting manufacturing directly.
Injection moulds
• more than 1,300 molds differing in weight, size and sensitivity to dust and humidity, previously managed on racking no longer suitable for the task
• high damage rates during manual handling
• production flow interruptions caused by searching for and picking the correct mold
• risk of injury when handling heavy loads without ergonomic support
Fabric rolls
• rolls exposed to external factors, with a risk of quality deterioration
• forklift handling: travel distances, operational risks and occupied space
2 SILO² VLMs for injection molds: 60% less footprint and telescopic station
The two SILO² vertical storage systems are installed in the injection molding department, close to the plastic injection presses.
Each storage system is 6.8 meters high, with 6 storage columns and 186 compact trays (802 × 802 mm, specific load bearing capacity of 625 kg/m²). The reduced tray footprint, combined with high specific load bearing capacity, enables a storage density per square meter that wider trays cannot achieve. This is a decisive advantage for small but heavy injection molds. Each tray holds up to 4 standard molds (300 × 300 × 300 mm), for a total capacity of 744 injection molds per machine.
The telescopic picking and refilling station extends with no permanent floor footprint. When not in use, it does not interfere with circulation within the department. The fully enclosed structure protects every mold from dust and humidity. The two SILO² units reduced the mold storage area by 60%, from 100 m² to 40 m², freeing up space for other production activities.
Each storage system is 6.8 meters high, with 6 storage columns and 186 compact trays (802 × 802 mm, specific load bearing capacity of 625 kg/m²). The reduced tray footprint, combined with high specific load bearing capacity, enables a storage density per square meter that wider trays cannot achieve. This is a decisive advantage for small but heavy injection molds. Each tray holds up to 4 standard molds (300 × 300 × 300 mm), for a total capacity of 744 injection molds per machine.
The telescopic picking and refilling station extends with no permanent floor footprint. When not in use, it does not interfere with circulation within the department. The fully enclosed structure protects every mold from dust and humidity. The two SILO² units reduced the mold storage area by 60%, from 100 m² to 40 m², freeing up space for other production activities.
SILO² for fabric rolls: 99 rolls in 12.52 m²
Mottura also chose automated vertical storage for its fabric rolls: each ICAM storage system manages 99 rolls in just 12.52 m². The fully enclosed structure protects the fabrics from dust and humidity, preserving their quality until they are used. Picking takes place directly from the workstation, with no need to use a forklift: immediate ergonomic benefits and zero risk of damage.
Key results
Continuous production flow, moulds and fabric always protected, space reclaimed
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–60% mould storage area
From 100 m² to 40 m²: recovered space for production processes without expanding the facility
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744 molds in 20.16 m²
Compact trays with high specific load bearing capacity: 4 molds per tray, 625 kg/m²
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1,300+ molds protected from dust and humidity
Fully enclosed structure: deterioration and handling damage eliminated
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No permanent floor footprint thanks to the telescopic picking and refilling station
No interference with forklift and operator circulation when not in use.
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Zero production interruptions
The right mold available near the press, exactly when needed.
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Fabric roll quality preserved
The enclosed structure maintains the properties of textile materials until they are used.
Discover the products chosen by Mottura
SILO² — Vertical Lift Module
With 2 to 7 storage columns, over 120 tray size configurations, and a specific load capacity of up to 1,000 kg/m²: SILO² is ICAM’s solution for those handling small and medium-sized items, even those that are very heavy.
Explore SILO²
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