• 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 movement speed: 9.6 m/min
• Motor power consumption: 229 W
• Features a key for manual release
• Protection degree: IP54
• Gear type is Z12/module 4. (12 teeth / module 4)
• Metal 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 eshop.

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

RIB K500 Mechanism - Dimensions

Selection of a sliding gate 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 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 opening/closing cycles per hour (this corresponds to approximately one vehicle every two minutes). Also, 300 opening/closing cycles per day are sufficient for a sliding garage door to rarely exceed.

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

Sliding garage door - Checks before mechanism installation

The most important 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 installing the mechanism.

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

• If the rail is straight without curves, dents, or rust. It must also be properly secured to the ground.
• The door wheels must be in good condition. They should not show signs of deformation or rust. Their rolling must be trouble-free.
• Just before the door's closed position, check the door's oscillation. If it moves significantly back and forth, we must intervene and repair the door. Possible repair points are the door's construction material (too flexible), the position of the rollers (they have a large gap with the door), or the roller support point is quite flexible.
• The door must enter the slot at the closed position smoothly. It must "lock" so that it is not easy to lift with a crowbar.
• 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 beyond the closed or open position.

Typical sliding garage door setup with mechanism

 In the sketch above, we observe a typical arrangement of a sliding garage door with a mechanism. Obviously, the main component 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 move, while only touching the wheels and rollers without significant oscillation.

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 at such a point that they are in contact with the door leaf throughout its entire travel (from the fully open to the fully closed position). Essentially, the rollers hold the door perpendicular to the ground. A basic prerequisite is that they should not impede the door's movement.

The door is supported by the wheels which allow it to move. The movement takes place on the track, which is shaped to work perfectly with the wheels. The wheels must be in good condition without signs of deformation or rust. The track must be properly supported on the ground, be straight and not show bulges or deformations.

The motor is also positioned so that it is always in contact with the door. 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, motion is transmitted. 

Photocells are the most important accessory for 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 light. It is placed in a prominent 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 fine adjustments of about 0.5cm. If the door is empty at the height where the rack needs to be installed, 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 accumulates. If this is suspected, a base must 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 installed 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 foundation. If there is no such foundation (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 flashing light, etc., we define their position and then proceed with the wiring. There will be a detailed chapter on wiring below. We simply mention that it should be done by a professional electrician and with adherence to all safety rules.

During the installation of 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 the passage of 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 complete.

Important note: Before welding operations, disconnect the terminals from the control panel.

 The metal rack consists of one-meter pieces. Each piece has three oval-shaped holes where the spacers are placed. 

It is good to screw the spacers in the middle of the holes so that there is a possibility for fine adjustments if needed later. As we can see in the figure above, there is a wide side of the spacer (shoulder) which is welded onto the door. The main point of attention during the rack installation is the small gap that must exist between the gear and the rack. 

 This gap helps the door to function correctly. If it doesn't exist, the motor is forced to carry the door, and at some point, it will inevitably wear out and malfunction. If the gap is too large, the gear may "kick" and the door's movement may not be smooth. In both cases, there is a possibility of problems with either the door or the motor. 

 The correct gap is in the order of 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 lower by 1.5mm, so we will have the necessary gap.

 During rack installation, we must not weld the rack pieces together and we must maintain its pitch. Also, the rack must not be welded to the spacers. The figure below shows exactly the procedure to be followed.

We also need to make sure 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 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 the screws of the spacers as well as the motor mounting screws.

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

Next, the terminals included in the mechanism set are installed. Under no circumstances should makeshift terminals be used or their shape modified, as this will cause the mechanism to malfunction. The terminals are placed in such a way 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 its final position, both in the open and closed positions. In this way, the door will not hit any of the fixed points at the end of its travel.