• For a maximum gate leaf weight of 500kg
• Non-reversible, permanently lubricated mechanism
• Maximum number of consecutive opening/closing 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 speed: 9.6 m/min
• Motor power consumption: 229 W
• Manual release with key (disengagement)
• Protection rating: IP54
• Gear type is Z12/module 4
• Plastic rack module 4
• Country of origin: Italy
• Warranty: 2 years

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

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

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 use of the door per day. The RIB K500 mechanism is suitable for up to 300 opening/closing cycles per day.
• The frequency of use of the door per hour. The RIB K500 mechanism is suitable for up to 25 opening/closing cycles per hour.

The RIB K500 mechanism excels over the competition due to its ability to operate intensively. Even large residential complexes during peak hours are unlikely to have more than 25 openings/closings per hour (this corresponds to approximately one vehicle every two minutes). Also, 300 openings/closings per day are enough that a sliding garage door is unlikely to exceed them.

Finally, the 500kg door capacity covers most door cases, as an average iron gate weighs 50-60 kg/m. The point that needs special attention is that the door should operate smoothly in manual mode. This means testing the door's rolling without a mechanism or with the mechanism in manual operation. If the door does not operate smoothly, it should be repaired before installing the mechanism. Otherwise, it will cause problems to the mechanism and lead to breakdowns. 

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. Open and close the door at a steady speed, approximately what it would have with the mechanism. If at any point the movement presents difficulty, there is a jolt, etc., the door should 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 correctly secured to the ground.
• The door wheels must be in good condition. They should not have signs of deformation or rust. Their rolling must be problem-free.
• Just before the closed position of the door, check the oscillation of the door. If it moves intensely back and forth, we should 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 support point of the rollers is quite flexible.
• The door must enter the slot at the closed position smoothly. It should "lock" so that it is not easy to lift it with a lever.
• The open and closed positions of the door must be defined by mechanical stops. In no case should the door leaf be free to pass the closed or open position.

Typical layout of a sliding garage door with a mechanism

 In the sketch above, we observe a typical layout of a sliding garage door with a mechanism. Obviously, a 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 resting only on 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 positioned in such a way that they remain in 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 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 correctly supported on the ground, be straight and not show any bulges or deformations.

The motor is also placed at a point where it is always in contact with the door. The motion is transmitted to the door by the motor's gear. The rack, which is a toothed bar, is mounted on the door. The rack is the point of contact between the door and the motor, and through it, the motion 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 in 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 light. It is placed in a prominent position to warn passing vehicles and pedestrians that the garage door is in operation. This is a particularly useful device 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 defined in the figure below.

The rack spacers usually allow for fine adjustments of about 0.5cm. In case the height at which the rack should be installed leaves the door empty without any support point, 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 installation of the mechanism, we must take into account that:

• it should not be placed 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 approximately 40cm larger than the opening so that the motor can be placed outside the opening. Otherwise, there is a risk of the motor being hit by a passing vehicle.
• the base must be placed on a stable surface. If there is no such surface (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. A detailed chapter on wiring will follow below. We simply state that it should be done by a professional electrician and in compliance with all safety regulations.

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, remove the mechanism cover. To remove it, unscrew the corresponding screws. Secure the mechanism to the two screws protruding from the base. Place it on the base and tighten the screws.

To operate the mechanism manually, lift the flap, 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 completed.

 The plastic rack consists of pieces with a length of 34cm. Each piece has a male and female side so that the pieces interlock. 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 the installation of the rack is the small gap that must exist between the gear and the rack. 

This gap helps the door operate correctly. If it doesn't exist, the motor is forced to carry the door, inevitably leading to wear and eventual malfunction. If the gap is too large, the gear might "kick" and the door's movement might not be smooth. In both cases, there's a potential for issues with either the door or the motor. 

The correct gap is around 1.5 mm. To achieve this, we can place the mechanism on a surface of this thickness and proceed with installing the rack in contact with the gear. Then, after removing this surface, the motor will lower by 1.5mm, providing 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 vertically to the door leaf to achieve the correct position. 

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

Note: Before operating the mechanism electrically, we must first confirm the opening direction (that it is correct) and install the limit switches.

Next, the limit switches are installed, which are included in the mechanism set. Under no circumstances should improvised limit switches be used or their shape modified, as this will cause the mechanism to malfunction. The limit switches are positioned so as 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. Special 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.