Ground-breaking damper solution for heavy industrial sliding doors

Existing soft-close systems were not equipped to handle such heavy doors, leading to the need for a custom-made solution. By working with Brimotech, a unique damper solution was realised that not only meets today’s requirements, but is also ready for heavier applications in the future. This collaboration highlights the importance of precision engineering and innovation to solve even the most complex challenges.

Customer problem statement

Our client, a leading manufacturer of industrial sliding doors, was working on a new soft-close system for a new type of heavy-duty door. The challenge was considerable: the new system had to be able to cushion a 300kg door. Existing softclose systems were simply not designed for such heavy loads, so the customer decided to develop a new system itself. While the mechanics behind a soft-close system are relatively simple, choosing the right oil damper proved crucial.

Brimotech was approached after another relationship was already using our dampers in their soft-close systems. Our dampers, with a diameter of Ø12mm, have been used successfully in soft-close applications for years. However, the question was whether this damper would also be suitable for our customer’s much heavier doors.

Approach from Brimotech

The customer tested our dampers alongside a ‘budget-friendly’ alternative from another company. It soon emerged that our damper, thanks to its high-quality construction and absence of plastic parts, performed much better. Although our damper came out strong during the tests, there was still a need for higher damping force.

However, increasing the damping force raised a new problem: too high a damping force could lead to the heavy door bouncing back on the first stop. This would not only be inefficient, but also shorten the life of the system. To overcome this challenge, we developed a custom damper with larger diameters for extra capacity, equipped with a special labyrinth and a small custom bypass at the beginning of the stroke. These innovations ensured gradual collection of the door during the first 15mm of the stroke, preventing rebound.

Results

At short notice, we delivered several customised damper prototypes to the customer, who subsequently achieved excellent results during their tests. Thanks to the overcapacity of these dampers, the customer can now use this system for even heavier applications, requiring only minimal modifications to the internal components. This new system positions the customer as a forerunner in the heavy industrial sliding door market.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Brimotech and the customer resulted in an innovative and powerful damper solution that perfectly meets the requirements of heavy industrial sliding doors. Thanks to our expertise and customised solutions, the customer can not only serve the current market, but also respond to future needs, strengthening their position as a market leader.