RIB K500 Sliding Gate Operator (Kit-Standard P)
- For gates with a maximum weight of 500kg
- Non-reversible, permanent lubrication mechanism
- Maximum number of consecutive open/close cycles, at 20°C: up to 25
- Up to 300 open/close 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
- Features a key for disengagement (manual operation)
- Protection degree: 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 +30 210.555.0632 or buy it online from our e-shop
Contents of the RIB K500 Sliding Gate Opener Kit (Kit-Standard P)
The RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) sliding garage door kit includes:
- RIB K500 sliding motor for gates up to 500Kg.
- Autotech S5060T control panel
- 4m plastic rack module-4
- ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote controls at 433.92 MHz, 2 pcs
- Wired photocell set, 1 set
- Motor mounting base (includes mounting screws and anchors)
- Limit switch activation plates
- Manual release keys, 2 pcs
- Detailed installation instructions in Greek
The RIB K500 (Kit-Standard P) kit is a complete solution for automating a sliding gate with a length of up to 4m. Depending on your needs, additional products can be added to fully meet your requirements.
Criteria for choosing a sliding motor
The main features of the RIB K500 motor that should be considered when choosing a motor are:
- Suitable for gates with a weight of up to 500kg
- Maximum number of consecutive open/close cycles at 20°C: up to 25
- Maximum use per day: 300 open/close cycles
500kg is a weight limit that covers most domestic garage door cases. The main characteristic a garage door must have is smooth movement in manual operation. For the gate to be automated, it must not present difficulty during movement. Even a 100kg gate with difficulty in movement will cause a malfunction in the mechanism. In contrast, a perfectly maintained 500kg gate will operate smoothly and without problems.
The great advantage of the RIB K500 motor is its ability to operate intensively:
The 25 consecutive open/close cycles ensure that even during peak hours, the gate can operate, practically continuously, without problems.
300 uses/day are enough even for residential complexes or commercial areas. Unlike the competition, the RIB K500 can be used without fear of overheating and going out of operation even under intensive use conditions.
Necessary checks before installing the RIB K500 sliding mechanism
The gate must operate perfectly as a manual gate. If it presents any problem as a manual gate, converting it to automatic will not only not solve it but will worsen it, with the risk of damage to the automation.
No automation installation should be carried out on a gate that does not already work perfectly manually.
The minimum checks we perform to assess how well the gate works are:
1. The track on the floor must be perfectly horizontal and straight. We check that it has no distortions, dents or bumps, that it is well supported on the floor and that at no point does it collapse when the gate wheels roll over it.
2. The gate wheels must be in good condition, match the weight of the gate and have a profile compatible with the track profile (e.g., no wheels with a circular profile on a track with an angular profile).
3. The surface of the gate leaf must be completely flat (no "bellies").
4. The gate leaf must move smoothly, throughout its entire travel (both opening and closing), without changing its resistance to movement. We clean the track of any debris (e.g., pebbles, dirt, leaves). We move the gate by hand from end to end, at a slow, steady speed. The speed should be approximately the same as that of the mechanism. If at some points the resistance of the gate leaf suddenly increases, we stop and try to find the reason. Possible causes are:
- A welding piece protrudes at one of the rail joints.
- There was some debris that we didn't clean.
- One of the gate wheels is jammed.
- The gate leaf is jamming in the support rollers.
5. The gate leaf must move without jerks and back-and-forth movements. The support rollers must cooperate well with the gate leaf. They must embrace it firmly and without a large gap, so that it cannot "play" back and forth. Also, they must keep it completely vertical. This must be true throughout the entire travel of the gate leaf. If at some points such problems occur, we stop and try to find the reason. Possible causes are:
- The surface of the gate leaf on which the support rollers rest is not smooth and flat.
- The support rollers do not rotate smoothly, are not firmly supported, or are excessively worn.
6. We particularly check how much the gate leaf moves back and forth when the gate is almost closed (as close as the gate leaf is but has not yet "landed" on the opposite side), especially if the gate leaf is long and high. We pay special attention if the movement is such that it can cause the gate leaf to collide with the edges of the reception ( "cup" - closed position limit stop) that the opening may have on the side where the gate closes. For this reason, we oscillate the gate leaf by hand. If the gate leaf moves excessively back and forth, we stop and try to find the reason. Possible causes are:
- The support rollers do not cooperate well with the gate leaf, so it can "play" excessively.
- The gate leaf is not rigid enough and easily distorts.
- The point where the support rollers and therefore the gate leaf (e.g., a metal column) are supported is not rigid enough and easily distorts.
7. The gate leaf must move without ups and downs and up-and-down jerks. If at some points such problems occur, we stop and try to find the reason. Possible causes are:
- There was some debris that we didn't clean.
- There is a gap in one of the rail joints.
- One of the gate wheels does not have a completely circular circumference or is excessively worn.
- The rail has "bellies" instead of being completely horizontal everywhere.
8. When the gate is closed, the gate leaf must lock into the receiver on the opposite side ("cup" or closed position limit stop, if such a receiver exists) leaving at least 2 centimeters of free space. In this position, it is good for the gate leaf to be secured in a way that prevents it from being lifted with a lever (a common method of forced entry for small automatic gates).
9. The gate must have mechanical stops in the open and closed positions of the gate leaf.
We check the rolling quality by moving the gate manually at a low, constant speed, not exceeding that of the mechanism (i.e., not more than 10 to 12 meters per minute). We perform the check for both opening and closing.
Basic characteristics of sliding automation installation
The image above depicts a typical sliding automation installation. A basic prerequisite is the existence of a correctly and functionally sound gate. The gate must be 30-40cm larger than the opening. This allows the motor to be placed outside the opening and the entire width of the gate to remain free for vehicle passage.
On the ground, the track is installed, on which the gate's wheels roll. The track is twice the length of the gate to cover its entire travel. Rollers keep the gate in the vertical position. Stops define the open and closed positions of the gate. All of the above are necessary for the smooth operation of the gate and must exist prior to the mechanism. Also, a basic prerequisite is for the gate to operate smoothly, with minimal effort, and to have been installed without inclination.
The motor has a gear through which motion is transmitted to the gate. The plastic rack is mounted on the gate (screwed on) and moves with the gate. The gear rotates within the teeth of the rack, and the gate moves.
An essential accessory for sliding gates are safety photocells. Safety photocells monitor the gate's path to ensure there are no obstacles and to prevent accidents. Classic photocells consist of a transmitter and a receiver and require wiring on both sides of the gate. If this is not feasible, safety photocells with a reflector can be installed.
Also, if the gate is near a busy road or visibility is poor, a warning light informs passing vehicles of the vehicle exiting the gate.
Installation procedure for RIB K500 sliding automation
If, at the height where the plastic rack needs to be installed, our gate does not have a structural element stable enough to screw the rack onto, then we must:
- either install the entire mechanism higher.
- or add such an element to the gate (e.g., a horizontal hollow section or a thick metal plate).
1. We select the position of the motor base, so that it is within the limits indicated by the above diagrams.
Note 1: The base must be supported either on an existing reinforced concrete floor, at least 10 cm thick, or on a foundation specifically constructed for this purpose (with a length and width at least equal to the base and a depth of at least 20 cm).
Note 2: At this point, water should not collect or pass through. If this happens, we must install the mechanism in an elevated position.
Note 3: For the gate to leave the entire width of the opening free when opening, the gate leaf must be at least 420 mm longer than the width of the opening. If this is not the case then:
- either we extend the gate leaf (or, at least, add an extension to support the rack on the side where the gate opens)
- or we leave the gate leaf as is and accept the reduced free passage width.
2. Prepare the base for installation
3. Select the positions of the peripheral devices (photocells, beacon, buttons, etc.).
4. Install the power cables and the cables for the peripheral devices
Note 1: The connection of the motor to the electrical network must be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Note 2: All cables must be placed inside appropriate protective conduits.
Check with a spirit level that the base is horizontal, both in the direction parallel to the gate and, most importantly, in the direction perpendicular to the gate. The base must be absolutely parallel to the gate.
If there are cables coming out of the floor under the mechanism (e.g., power supply, safety photocell connection, etc.), feed them through the large hole in the top of the base.
The method of mounting the base depends on the type of flooring. We can use screws with metal anchors if there is already a durable floor, or create a reinforced concrete foundation to which we will anchor the base.
5. Secure the base to the floor so that it is perfectly horizontal and parallel to the gate. The base must be very well supported on the floor.
6. Remove the mechanism cover. To do this, unscrew the corresponding screws and pull the cover upwards.
7. Remove (unclip) the terminals from the control panel before performing any welding.
8. The mechanism is fixed to the mounting base 2 onto the protruding screws. Place the mechanism on the base and screw it to it.
9. Disengage the mechanism:
Open the door, insert the key into the lock, and turn it counter-clockwise as many turns as needed until the key stops.
In this position, the mechanism has been disengaged, meaning its gear can be rotated manually. The mechanism will remain in this state (disengaged) until you complete the rack installation.
Each piece is 34cm long and has a special design so that they connect to each other (male-female). Each piece has 2 supports and 2 sets of screws with rectangular nuts.
The plastic rack is screwed onto the gate. This allows the plastic rack to be installed on any type of gate. The rack's screw receptacle allows for minor height adjustments. The screws can be replaced as needed. (e.g., carriage bolts can be installed)
When installing a sliding gate mechanism, ensure that the rack does not rest on the gear but is slightly spaced from it, creating a small gap.
If we do not create the correct gap, or, even worse, if the gate rests on the gear, we will not have proper cooperation between the rack and the gear, and, sooner or later, we will face problems in the operation of the mechanism and/or the gate (creaking, noises, gear breakage, mechanism uprooting, etc., etc.).
The recommended gap is 1.5 mm.
Never lubricate the rack or the gear. This does not contribute anything to the proper operation of the automation. On the contrary, if we do, the grease or oil will collect dust, sand, dirt, and debris, creating a mixture that will wear down the automation.
10. Fully open the gate and install the first piece of the rack. Make sure to leave the necessary 1.5 mm height gap between the rack and the gear. Continue with the remaining rack pieces, ensuring the gap is uniform.
Note: The rack must mesh, across its entire width, with the gear (and in the middle of its width, if possible) throughout the entire travel of the gate. If necessary, the mechanism can be moved relative to the gate leaf: Loosen the screws connecting the mechanism to the mounting base and move it perpendicular to the gate leaf.
11. Once the rack is installed, check its correct placement by manually opening and closing the gate at a steady low speed. The movement must be smooth everywhere without changes in resistance and without the motor shaking.
12. After confirming the correct placement of the rack, proceed further.
13. Next, proceed with the settings and connection of the electronic control panel, safety photocells, and other peripheral devices, according to the respective instructions.
ATTENTION: After connecting the mechanism to the power, do not operate it automatically until you confirm the correct opening direction and install the limit switches.
Until then, leave the mechanism disengaged (in manual operation).
The limit switches are the two plates with inclined sides and are installed on the rack, as shown in the adjacent diagram.
Do not use improvised limit switches, or bend or modify the mechanism's limit switches. Improper cooperation between the limit switches and the limit switch plates causes problems in the operation of the automation.
Do not weld the limit switches to the rack because this eliminates the possibility of adjustments.
14. Position the stoppers at both ends of the rack so that they activate the motor's limit switches. The open and closed position limit switches are activated as the spring-loaded stem protruding above the gear is carried by the stoppers, in one direction or the other.
Note 1: The stoppers must be adjusted so that the door stops at least 2 cm before hitting the mechanical stops in both the open and closed positions of the leaf. The door must not hit anywhere when it reaches the fully closed or fully open position.
Note 2: The recommended way to find the correct position of the stoppers is to observe when the control panel detects the activation of each of the two limit switches (via the corresponding indicator LEDs). This obviously requires connecting the mechanism to the power supply. The procedure is as follows:
- Ensure that the control panel wiring is correct in relation to the opening direction of the mechanism (whether it opens to the right or to the left). The wiring must be correct before proceeding with any adjustments.
- Move (manually) the door to the open position and observe when the indicator LED of the open position limit switch turns off. Adjust the position of the stopper to ensure a safety distance of at least 2 cm from the mechanical open position stop.
- Move (manually) the door to the closed position and observe when the indicator LED of the closed position limit switch turns off. Adjust the position of the stopper to ensure a safety distance of at least 2 cm from the mechanical closed position stop (or the post).
15. Once the stopper adjustments are complete, confirm the overall proper operation of the automation system. For this purpose, engage the mechanism and, using a remote control or button, open and close the door a few times. Pay particular attention to the correct operation of the limit switches (the points where the door stops), the safety photocells (they prevent closing if their beam is interrupted), and the door's stopping function when it encounters an obstacle. If necessary, make new adjustments. This check should be repeated at least once every six months.
16. Inform all users about the mechanism's operation, its correct use, and any potential risks that may still exist during its operation.
RIB K500 Sliding Gate Motor Gear
The motor features a gear for transmitting motion to the gate. The gear has protective covers to prevent accidents.
Also, after the installation is complete, the screw must be removed as indicated in the photo above.
Wiring of the RIB K500 sliding automation kit (Kit-Standard P)
- For the motor, a 3X1.5mm² cable suitable for outdoor use. If the distance to which the motor will be installed is long, it is preferable for the cross-section to be 3X2.5mm². It is also good to have it on a separate fuse in the control panel so that its operation is not affected by other devices (lights, etc.).
- For classic photocells (included in the kit), a 4x0.6mm² cable is required for the receiver and a 2x0.6mm² cable for the transmitter. If it is not possible to run a cable for the transmitter, then photocells with a reflector can be installed, which only require a 4x0.6mm² cable to the transceiver (on the side where the motor is also located).
- For the push-button or key-operated push-button (not included in the kit), a 2x0.6mm² cable is required.
- For an operating warning lamp (not included in the kit), a 1x1.0 mm² or 2x1.0 mm² cable is required.
- Cables must be in conduits and protected from moisture.
Control Panel for the RIB K500 kit (Kit-Standard P)
The RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) kit includes the Autotech S5060T control panel, which is integrated into the motor. It is a proven control panel that has shown to be reliable and functional. It works perfectly with the RIB K500 motor, is user-friendly, and simple to set up.
Features:
- Available socket for motor limit switches
- Adjustable motor force
- Soft-start and soft-stop options for smoother garage door operation.
- Accepts safety photocells. It interrupts the door's movement if an obstacle is detected in its path and commands it to return to the open position.
- Can accept automatic closing. The user selects how long they want the door to close automatically (this option is not recommended without photocell installation).
- Features electric braking option
- Has a microswitch to adjust the opening direction.
- Accepts a push-button (simple or with a key). The push-button can have 2 functions: Open-stop-close-stop-open... or only open, which can be combined with automatic closing.
- Accepts a 230VAC lighting lamp or a 230VAC warning lamp without a flashing light.
- The receiver is integrated and easy to operate.
- Features LED indicators that provide information on the motor's functions.
This control panel has been chosen over the competition due to its reliability and numerous functions. Especially the slow stop and adjustable motor force functions set it apart from other sliding automation control panels.
RIB K500 Sliding Gate Kit Remote Control (Kit-Economy P)
The RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) sliding gate mechanism kit comes with a ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control operating at 433.92 MHz. The ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control is user-friendly, practical, and functional. It can store up to 4 gates. It uses a fixed 12-bit code at 433.92 MHz. It can copy remote controls of the same type, as well as older fixed-code remote controls operating at 433.92 MHz.
Packaging of the RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) Sliding Gate Kit
The RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) kit is delivered in 2 separate packages. One contains only the plastic rack, and the other contains the motor with its accessories.
The kit is checked by our technicians before shipment. It is also delivered adjusted and ready for installation.
RIB K500 Kit (Kit-Economy P) Installation Instructions
The RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) kit comes with complete, detailed, and easy-to-follow instructions. They are written in Greek by our company's staff with extensive experience in automation.
Even someone without experience in automation but with practical skills can follow them and successfully complete the process.
If the cables have been laid, the connection is straightforward. The remote controls are delivered pre-programmed, although instructions are included in case they are needed in the future.
Detailed instructions are included for: motor installation, rack installation, and connections (power and peripherals).