10 April 2024

The new spray booth had not yet been completed or the next plans were already being made. At RIS Rubber, we produce a large number of different bottom door profiles. To facilitate this production, it was decided to expand the “centre square” with two overhead cranes.

Production of bottom door profiles

Many bottom door profiles are produced at RIS Rubber. The largest is no less than 10 metres long and 4 metres wide, weighing over 500 kilos!

This does not fit in a press all at once, so it has to be produced in parts. We make lengths and corner pieces. and then we vulcanise the complete bottom doors together on the central square in our factory using a welding press.

For a safe and efficient way of working, RIS has invested in a double overhead crane with which we can lift, move and pack the heavy products. Besides bottom doors, this crane also allows us to lift and pack shock pads and other heavy products such as fenders.

What are bottom door profiles?

Bottom door profiles are found in dredgers, also known as trailing suction hopper dredgers. These vessels “suck” the soil-water mixture into the cargo hold (the hopper) of the vessel. Is the ship full? Then it sails to a suitable place to unload the material. This is done by opening the large bottom doors at the bottom of the vessel. These doors must remain firmly closed during dredging. RIS Rubber bottom door profiles are fitted between these doors and the vessel to provide a seal.