Maintaining smooth factory operations while preserving room temperature and cleanliness is a major challenge in the modern industrial sector. The use of slow manual doors often causes cold storage temperature leaks and allows insects and dust to enter.
As a solution, installing a Japanese-standard Uniflow high speed roll up door has become the new benchmark for manufacturing and logistics facilities. However, Uniflow has two main product lines designed for different terrains and needs: the Smoother series and the Jetter series.
Before deciding on procurement for your factory or warehouse project, let’s break down the specifications and advantages of each type so you make the right choice.
Uniflow SMOOTHER: Tough, Wind-Resistant, and Extra Wide
The Uniflow Smoother is a line of high speed doors that uses a pipe-retaining system (pipe type) inside its sheet. This series is the “workhorse” designed to face tough environments, both indoor and outdoor facing direct weather.
Main Advantages of the Smoother Series:
- Maximum Wind Resistance: Thanks to its transverse pipe structure and roller innovation at both ends of the sheet, the Smoother can withstand strong wind pressure without easily coming off the rails. Highly recommended for areas with high air pressure differences or loading docks.
- Giant Size Capacity: For truck or heavy equipment access areas, the Smoother RB-4Z type can cover openings up to 10 meters wide and 6 meters high. This is one of the largest sizes in the automatic door industry.
- Special Industrial Features: The Smoother comes with various advanced modification options, such as Explosion-Proof specifications (RA-2Es type for chemical plants/Zone 2), water draining specifications for HACCP standards in food factories, to backup power supply systems during power outages.
- Cost-Effective Maintenance: If the bottom of the door is damaged by a forklift collision, you don’t need to replace the entire curtain. This type allows for partial replacement of the bottom sheet, reducing repair costs and downtime.
Uniflow JETTER: Smart, Safe, and Pipe-less
If the Smoother is the workhorse, the Uniflow Jetter is the premium smart door line specifically designed for indoor use. The Jetter is designed 100% without transverse pipes (pipe-less), with a main focus on high-level workplace safety and quiet operation.
Main Advantages of the Jetter Series:
- Safe Against Impacts (Pipe-less): Because there are no hard pipes supporting the curtain, this door is extremely safe for pedestrians or passing goods. There is no risk of severe injury or cargo damage in the event of an accidental collision.
- Automatic Sheet Recovery: This is the Jetter’s flagship feature. If the curtain is pushed or hit by a forklift and comes off its rails, the Jetter will pull the curtain up and automatically return it to its original rail position. Your factory doesn’t need to call a technician.
- Reverse Ascending System: If the bottom of the curtain touches an object while moving down, the door will detect the touch and immediately reverse upwards to minimize impact.
- Extra Compact Design: Limited installation space? The Jetter JT-1 type integrates the control box (control board) directly inside the drum box (top roll box). This greatly saves wall space and reduces cable clutter. Its speed is also exceptional, reaching 2.0 m/sec when opening on certain types.
Comparison Summary: Smoother vs. Jetter
To make it easier for you, here is a comparison table of their main features:
| Specifications / Features | Uniflow SMOOTHER | Uniflow JETTER |
|---|---|---|
| System Structure | Uses Pipes (Pipe Type) | Pipe-less |
| Installation Location | Excellent for Indoor & Outdoor | Indoor Only |
| Wind Resistance | Very High (withstands storms/pressure differences) | Standard Indoor |
| Collision Handling | Bottom sheet can be partially replaced | Curtain automatically returns to rails |
| Main Focus | Strength, large size, weather resistance | Extra speed, self-repair, worker safety |
Conclusion: Which is Right for Your Factory?
Choosing the right Uniflow high speed roll up door variant depends heavily on the layout and activities of your facility.
If you need a door for outdoor areas, windy warehouses, or loading docks where logistics trucks operate, the Uniflow Smoother is a tough and reliable investment. However, if you are looking for a door to partition indoor production areas with heavy pedestrian and forklift traffic, the smart safety and self-repair features of the Uniflow Jetter will be far more advantageous.
