Salice is a world leader in the production of opening and closing systems for the furniture industry. The company offers all kinds of solutions for furniture, with a wide range of products for cabinet opening and closing systems, drawer runners and sliding systems.

The Company consists of several production departments, each of which includes different types of plant/machinery/processes (sheet metal stamping presses, plastic moulding presses, zamak moulding presses, assembly machines, heat treatment plants, galvanising plants, warehouses, etc.); the primary energy source used to power this plant/machinery, in addition to electricity, is pneumatic energy.
Due to the nature of these activities, noise levels in the production departments are high. In particular, the risk assessment carried out using specific measurements shows that, in the production departments, workers’ exposure during the working day (8 hours) exceeds 85dB(A), with peaks in some production areas exceeding 90 dB(A).

Measurements, analyses and tests carried out in the past have revealed significant reverberation components in the plant, as well as possible sources of noise from the machinery itself, mainly related to the vibrating orienters of the assembly centres, the compressed air flows that allow the pieces to move on the guides, and the kinematic mechanisms. Standard solutions available on the market, such as sound hoods or soundproof panels/cabins, are difficult to apply as the machines must be continuously supplied with material to be processed/assembled, both by forklift operators who physically bring the material to the machine and by machine operators who must feed the machine itself. Furthermore, due to their type, the systems are not regular in shape and therefore solutions such as soundproof cabins or similar would be impractical due to layout issues and lack of physical space.

In order to achieve the Company’s objectives, the process involves the following steps:

Site inspection and instrumental measurements

3D acoustic modelling and as-is model calibration

Proposed mitigation measures and scenario simulation

Technical and economic considerations regarding the interventions

From a methodological point of view, the project is innovative compared to similar projects in the same field, partly because it uses acoustic simulation software to model the environment being analysed, adjust the model to the actual situation, and simulate possible acoustic solutions and measures agreed between MADE and Salice consultants. using, for example, different materials chosen by the designers in order to achieve an optimal cost/performance balance and enable the company to invest in an informed and secure manner.

Reduction in workers’ exposure to noise in the production environment, objectively measured in the field.

Reduction in workers’ exposure to noise in the production environment, objectively measured in the field.

Increased worker efficiency and performance thanks to reduced noise stress.

Reduced risk of accidents due to unfavourable environmental conditions.

Active promotion of organisational wellbeing and the working environment.

Potential reduction in costs related to accidents, absenteeism and staff turnover.

Strengthening the company’s image as a health and safety-conscious organisation.

Greater appeal to new resources and talent, thanks to a safer and more comfortable working environment.