Improving Thermal Performance of a Folding Door

Abstract

This thesis, made in collaboration with Reco Port AB, investigates the improvement of thermal performance
of an aluminum folding door through digital product development, calculation and simulation. The current
door design provides limited insulation, restricting its use in applications where energy efficiency is required.
The project aimed to lower the U-value of the door while ensuring structural strength, manufacturability, and
compatibility with existing systems.
The work was conducted inspired by Ulrich and Eppingers product and design development process, includ-
ing customer needs analysis, target specifications, concept generation, and two iterative rounds of evaluation.
Concepts were analyzed using flixo for thermal simulations and structural calculations based on relevant
standards for mechanical strength.
A wide range of potential improvements was considered, including filling profiles with insulation, altering
cross-section geometries, integrating thermal breaks, applying internal or external coatings, adding outer
insulating layers, improving seals, and modifying window areas. After screening and scoring, the most
promising solutions were further developed and compared.
The results highlight multiple practical approaches that result in a significant reduction in U-value compared
to the existing design, without compromising structural integrity or manufacturability.
The study concludes that optimizing the aluminum profiles of the folding door can substantially improve its
thermal performance and extend its applicability to energy-sensitive environments. The findings provide a
foundation for further development towards industrial implementation.

Abstract (Swedish)

Denna masteruppsats, genomförd i samarbete med Reco Port AB, undersöker hur den termiska prestandan
hos en vikport i aluminium kan förbättras genom digital produktutveckling, beräkningar och simuleringar.
Den befintliga portkonstruktionen har begränsad isoleringsförmåga, vilket reducerar dess användningsom-
råden i miljöer där energieffektivitet är av stor betydelse. Projektets mål var att sänka portens U-värde
samtidigt som krav på hållfasthet, tillverkningsbarhet och kompatibilitet med befintliga system bibehölls.
Arbetet baserades på Ulrich och Eppingers modell för produkt- och designutveckling, med steg som analys av
kundbehov, fastställande av målspecifikationer, konceptgenerering samt två iterativa utvärderingsomgångar.
Termiska simuleringar genomfördes i programvaran flixo och strukturella beräkningar utfördes i enlighet
med relevanta industriella standarder för mekanisk hållfasthet.
Flertalet förbättringsmöjligheter analyserades, bland annat isolering av profiler, förändrade tvärsnittsgeome-
trier, integrering av köldbryggor, användning av interna eller externa beläggningar, tillägg av yttre isoler-
ingsskikt, förbättrade tätningar samt modifieringar av glaspartier. Efter utvärdering vidareutvecklades de
mest lovande lösningarna och jämfördes.
Resultaten visar på flera praktiskt genomförbara åtgärder som ger en tydlig reduktion av U-värdet jämfört
med nuvarande konstruktion, utan att kompromissa på hållfasthet eller tillverkning. Uppsatsen drar slutsat-
sen att optimering av aluminiumprofilerna i vikporten kan avsevärt förbättra dess termiska prestanda och
därmed bredda dess användningsområden i energieffektiva miljöer. Arbetet lägger därmed en grund för
fortsatt utveckling mot industriell implementering.

Popular Abstract

Improving Thermal Performance of a Folding Door

Aluminum as a material is very bad for insulation purpose. How does one increase the
thermal performance when aluminum profiles are used? In this project improvements of
an aluminum folding door are discussed.

The aluminum frame industrial doors,
popular in places like car washes, are
durable and resistant to corrosion, but
they allow too much heat to escape. For
companies trying to cut energy costs and
reduce their environmental footprint,
this is a serious problem.
Together with Reco Port AB, we took on
the challenge of improving the thermal
performance of an existing folding door.
Our goal was to lower the heat loss while
keeping the door strong, aesthetically
pleasing, and cost-efficient.
We explored many ideas through
concept generation, simulations and
calculations. We evaluated filling hollow
profiles with insulating material,
implementing thermal breaks that block
heat transfer, evaluating new coatings,
rethinking the glass sections and
redesigning the construction, amongst
other things.
The most promising results came from
combining aluminum profiles with
insulating outer layers or integrating
thermal breaks into the profiles which
breaks the heat conduction. These
adjustments reduced the heat loss
significantly while keeping the structural
strength. In short, we proved that small
design changes could make a big
difference.
For us, the project was not just about
building a better door. It was about
showing how even modest engineering
solutions can contribute to
sustainability. By rethinking the
industrial door, we found a way to make
industrial buildings more energy efficient
and better prepared for future
environmental demands and legislation.
In the end, we learned that innovation
doesn’t always mean inventing
something entirely new. Sometimes it’s
about taking what already works and
improving it.

• author: Johansson, Sakarias and Bursan, Friderika
• supervisor: Damien Motte
• organization: Innovation
• alternative title: Research and development on thermal performance of aluminum profiles in an industrial folding door
• course: MMKM05 20252
• year: 2025
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Industrial folding door, thermal performance, U-value, aluminum profiles, product development, Industriell vikport, Termisk Prestanda, U-Värde, Aluminium Profil, Produktutveckling
• language: English
• id: 9211493
• date added to LUP: 2025-09-03 10:34:40
• date last changed: 2025-09-03 10:34:40