Efaflex doors star at Audi
A total of 57 high-speed doors have been installed at the nine building complex that comprises Audi’s newly constructed Motorsport Centre of Excellence in Germany.
From goods receipt through production to the exit onto the test track, the doors close the halls from the outside, as well as providing protection and separating areas. Many of the doors are controlled via a card reader because of secrecy. Audi and Efaflex developed the door control systems in accordance with the company’s specifications to create a bespoke control system.
“Audi is a premium manufacturer, which is why we look exclusively for premium manufacturers to supply our operating equipment. In the doors sector, no one is better than Efaflex,” explains Audi project manager Walter Pregernigg. “Alongside the outstanding quality of the doors, their operation and maintenance is trouble-free. For us, therefore, there is no other door manufacturer.”
The externally mounted doors are highly insulated and already proven at the Audi factory in Ingolstadt, as well as other Audi sites globally. With door blade speeds of up to 4m/s, and high thermal insulation in accordance with DIN EN 13241-1 of less than 2W (m.K), the doors keep the temperature in the halls largely constant, particularly during heating periods. Depending on the requirements, lath thicknesses can be varied between 40-100mm profiles; while the lath height is a uniform 225mm, benefiting the aesthetic appearance of the external facade. The new generation EFA-SST demonstrates a better than average wind resistance of Class 4 in accordance with DIN EN 12424.
The range of finish colour options is almost without limits. For the Motorsport Centre of Excellence, the door blades were selected in black, blending sympathetically into the facade, which were designed to reflect motorsport. Even the sound insulation values meet the strict regulations. Efaflex had to comply with the strictest noise emission requirements in order to protect employees as Audi has a NATO airfield nearby.
On the ground floor of the Centre of Excellence there is access to the test track. Here, the race cars leave the building to head towards the handling course.
“These doors have to be particularly wide because the vehicles have a limited turning circle,” says Pregernigg. “Because of the secrecy procedures, these doors are programmed to stay open for the shortest possible time and are fitted with controls, so that no one can gain unauthorised access. If a door stays open for a moment too long it is immediately indicated with a warning tone. Thanks to the spiral door technology, the operating noise cannot be heard despite the speed and size. The doors are as quiet as an Audi car door.”
