• For doors with a maximum weight of 500kg
• Non-reversible, permanent lubrication mechanism
• Maximum number of consecutive operating cycles, at 20°C: up to 25
• Up to 300 opening/closing cycles per day.
• Single-phase motor (230 VAC)
• Mechanism dimensions: 274x245x267 mm (LxWxH)
• Gate leaf movement speed: 9.6 m/min
• Motor absorbed power: 229 W
• Key release (manual operation)
• Protection rating: IP54
• Gear type is Z12/module 4
• Plastic rack module 4
• Country of origin: Italy
• Warranty: 2 years

To order this product, please call us at 210.555.0632 or buy it online from our e-shop.

Contents of the RIB K500 set (Kit-Complete P)

RIB K500 Mechanism - Dimensions

Choosing a sliding garage door mechanism

• The weight of the sliding garage door. The RIB K500 mechanism is suitable for doors weighing up to 500kg.
• The frequency of door use per day. The RIB K500 mechanism is suitable for up to 300 opening/closing cycles per day.
• The frequency of door use per hour. The RIB K500 mechanism is suitable for up to 25 opening/closing cycles per hour.

The RIB K500 mechanism has an advantage over the competition due to its ability to work intensively. Even large housing complexes during peak hours are unlikely to have more than 25 opening/closing cycles per hour (this corresponds to approximately one vehicle every two minutes). Also, 300 opening/closing cycles per day are enough that a sliding garage door is unlikely to exceed them.

Finally, the 500kg door capacity covers most door cases since an average wrought iron gate weighs 50-60 kg/m. The point that needs special attention is that the door must operate smoothly in manual operation. This means that we test the door's rolling without a mechanism or with the mechanism in manual operation. If the door does not operate smoothly, it must be repaired. Otherwise, it will cause problems to the mechanism and there will be failures.

Sliding garage door - Checks before mechanism installation

The most basic check that needs to be done even before ordering the mechanism is to check if the door operates smoothly by hand. We open and close the door at a steady speed, approximately the same as it would have with the mechanism. If at any point the movement presents difficulty, there is a jolt, etc., the door must be repaired before the mechanism is installed.

The checks that need to be carried out in detail are:

• If the rail is straight without bends, dents, and rust. It must also be properly secured to the ground.
• The door's wheels must be in good condition. They should not have signs of deformation or rust. Their rolling must be trouble-free.
• Just before the door's closed position, we check the door's oscillation. If it moves back and forth excessively, we must intervene and repair the door. Possible repair points are the door's construction material (excessively flexible), the position where the rollers are placed (they have a large gap with the door), or the roller support point is quite flexible.
• The door must enter the receptacle at the closed position smoothly. It must "lock" so that it is not easy to lift it with a crowbar.
• The open and closed positions of the door must be defined by mechanical stops. Under no circumstances should the door leaf be free to pass the closed or open position.

Typical layout of a sliding garage door with mechanism

In the sketch above, we observe a typical layout of a sliding garage door with a mechanism. Obviously, the basic element of the construction is the door leaf, which can be made of aluminum, metal, or wood. A basic prerequisite is that it must be sturdy and rigid enough to be able to move, while only touching the wheels and rollers without oscillating too much.

The door must have mechanical stops to define the closed and open positions. The mechanical stops define the door's travel.

The rollers are placed in such a way that they maintain contact with the door leaf throughout its entire travel (from the fully open to the fully closed position). Essentially, the rollers keep the door perpendicular to the ground. A basic prerequisite is that they do not hinder the door's movement.

The door rests on the wheels, which allow it to move. The movement takes place on the rail, which has a shape that allows it to work perfectly with the wheels. The wheels must be in good condition without signs of deformation or rust. The rail must be properly supported on the ground, be straight, and not have bumps or deformations.

The motor is also placed in a position where it is always in contact with the door. The movement is transmitted to the door by the motor's gear. The rack, which is a toothed bar, is placed on the door. The rack is the point of contact between the door and the motor, and through it, the movement is transmitted.

Photocells are the most important accessory of a sliding garage door with a mechanism. They prevent accidents and protect both users and their vehicles. They are placed at the door opening and prevent the sliding door from closing when there is an obstacle in its path.

Another accessory for a sliding garage door (not shown in the sketch) is the warning beacon. It is placed in a conspicuous position to warn passing vehicles and pedestrians that the garage door is in operation. This device is particularly useful when the garage door is adjacent to a busy road or when visibility is not optimal.

Installation of RIB K500 sliding mechanism

The RIB K500 sliding garage door mechanism must be installed according to the heights and distance from the door specified in the figure below.

The rack spacers usually allow for minor adjustments of around 0.5cm. In case the door is empty without any support point at the height where the rack needs to be installed, we have two options. Either reinforce the door at that point or change the installation height of the mechanism (with a base) to reach the point where the rack can be installed.

In addition to the above limits for the mechanism installation, we must take into account that:

• it should not be installed in an area where water stagnates. If there is such a suspicion, a base should be created so that the motor is higher.
• the door leaf should be about 40cm longer than the opening so that the motor can be installed outside the opening. Otherwise, there is a risk that the motor will be hit by a passing vehicle.
• the base must be placed on a stable surface. If such a surface does not exist (e.g., a reinforced concrete slab), a concrete base must be created.

Next, we define the position of the accessories. If there are photocells, a beacon, etc., we define their position and then route the wiring. There will be a detailed chapter below on wiring. We simply mention that it must be done by a professional electrician and in compliance with all safety rules.

When installing the base, we check that it is perfectly parallel to the door. We also check with a spirit level that it is perfectly horizontal. The large hole in the base is for passing the cables. The base is installed with plugs (metal anchors) in the reinforced concrete.

Next, we remove the mechanism cover. To remove it, unscrew the corresponding screws. We secure the mechanism to the two screws protruding from the base. We place it on the base and tighten the screws.

To operate the mechanism manually, lift the cover, insert the key into the lock and turn it counter-clockwise as many turns as needed until the key stops. In this position, the motor has been disengaged and we leave it in this state until the rack installation is complete.

The plastic rack consists of 34cm long pieces. Each piece has a male and female side so that the pieces can snap together. Each piece includes 2 supports and 2 sets of screws with rectangular nuts.

The plastic rack is screwed onto the door. This facilitates installation when, for example, the door is wooden.

The main point of attention during rack installation is the small gap that must exist between the gear and the rack.

This gap aids in the proper functioning of the door. If it is absent, the motor is forced to carry the door, so it will inevitably eventually wear out and develop a fault. If the gap is too large, the gear may "kick" and the door's movement may not be correct. In both cases, it is likely that a problem will arise either with the door or the motor.

The correct gap is approximately 1.5 mm. To achieve this, we can place the mechanism on a surface of this thickness and proceed with the installation of the rack in contact with the gear. Then, after removing this surface, the motor will descend by 1.5mm, thus creating the necessary gap.

We must also ensure that the gear engages with the rack throughout its entire travel. If necessary, we can loosen the mechanism's support and move it perpendicular to the door leaf to achieve the correct position.

The necessary check for correct rack installation is performed by opening and closing the door at a steady speed. If the door moves smoothly without jerks, noises, etc., then the rack installation is correct. Then we can tighten all installation screws.

Point of attention: Before operating the mechanism electrically, we must first confirm the opening direction (it must be correct) and install the terminals.

Next, the terminals included in the mechanism set are installed. Under no circumstances should improvised terminals be used or their shape modified, as this will cause the mechanism to malfunction. The terminals are positioned to activate the mechanism's limit switches. This is done by pushing the spring-loaded stem of the mechanism in one direction or the other. Particular attention is required so that the door stops 2cm before the final position in both the open and closed positions. In this way, the door will not hit any of the fixed points at the end of its travel.