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Audi’s newly-constructed Motorsport
Centre of Excellence, based at
Neuburg an der Donau, is the
culmination of two years construction
work and exhibits perfection,
ambition and passion for outstanding
technology; a philosophy shared by
one of their suppliers - Efaflex.
“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 Walter Pregernigg, Project
Manager at Audi. “Alongside the
outstanding quality of the doors, their
operation and maintenance is trouble-
free. For us, therefore, there is no other
door manufacturer.”
A total of 57 high-speed doors are
installed at the 9 building complex.
From goods receipt through production
to the exit onto the test track, the
doors close the halls from the outside,
but they also provide protection,
and separation areas. “Many of the
doors are controlled via a card reader
because of the secrecy procedures,”
explains Pregernigg. Audi and Efaflex’s
engineers developed the door
control systems in accordance with
the company’s specifications. They
worked together to create a special
control system, which Efaflex and Audi
developed specifically for the vehicle
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 4.0 m/s, and
high thermal insulation in accordance
with DIN EN 13241-1 of less than 2.0 W
(m
²
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 40mm -
100mm profiles; while the lath height
is a uniform 225mm, benefiting
the aesthetic appearance of the
external facade. Functionally, the new
generation EFA-SST® fulfils the highest
expectations; alongside the outstanding
thermal insulation values, for example,
they also demonstrate 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. “We
had to comply with the strictest noise
emission requirements in order to
protect our employees as we have a
NATO airfield nearby.”
The new building sees the Audi Sport
Centre relocate to Neuburg, with all
motorsports activities brought together
under one roof, where engineers and
mechanics develop and build the Audi
motorsports vehicles. From here they
organize all global race entries and use
the track for the first test drives of all
new sports prototypes.
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,”
describes Pregernigg. Because of
the secrecy procedures, these doors
are programmed to stay open for the
shortest possible time and are fitted with
special controls, so that no one can gain
unauthorized access. If a door stays open
for a moment too long it is immediately
indicated with a warning tone. Walter
Pregernigg opens a door. “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.” Praise indeed for Efaflex.
Install Excellence
www.efaflex.com
32
Logistics Business Magazine | September 2015
INDUSTRIAL DOORS