Sliding gate operator kit which contains a RIB K500 motor for gates up to 500 kg and 300 cycles per day, an integrated control board S5060T, 3 meters of plastic rack and 1 PSD-36T remote control. Included: mounting base, limit switch plates, disengagement keys and installation instructions in Greek.

 

• For a maximum gate leaf 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 travel speed: 9.6 m/min
• Motor absorbed power: 229 W
• Features key for disengagement (manual operation)
• Protection degree: IP54
• Gear type is Z12/module 4
• Plastic rack module 4
• Country of origin: Italy

 

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

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

The RIB K500 (Kit-Economy P) set includes:

• RIB K500 sliding gate operator for gates up to 500Kg.
• Autotech S5060T control panel
• 3m module-4 plastic rack
• ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control at 433.92 MHz, 1 pc
• 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-Economy P) set is a basic solution for automating a sliding gate with a length of up to 3m. Depending on your needs, additional products can be added to fully meet your requirements.

RIB K500 motor dimensions

 

 

Criteria for selecting a sliding gate operator

The main characteristics of the RIB K500 mechanism that must be taken into account when selecting the motor are the following:

• Suitable for gates weighing up to 500kg
• Maximum number of consecutive open/close cycles for a 5m long gate, at 20°C: up to 25
• Maximum daily use: 300 open/close cycles, for a gate length of 5m

500kg is a weight limit that covers most domestic gate cases. The main characteristic a gate must have is smooth movement in manual operation. For the gate to accept an operator, it must not show difficulty in movement. Even a 100kg gate with difficulty in movement will cause the motor to malfunction. Whereas, 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 problem.
• The 300 uses/day are sufficient even for residential complexes or commercial areas. Unlike the competition, the RIB K500 can be used without fear of overheating and going out of service, even under intensive use conditions.

 

Necessary checks before installing a sliding gate operator RIB K500

The gate must operate perfectly manually. If it presents any problem manually, converting it to automatic will not only not solve it, but will worsen it with the risk of damage to the mechanism.

No automation installation should be performed on a gate that does not already work perfectly manually.

The minimum checks we perform to assess how well the gate is operating are:

1. The track on the ground must be perfectly horizontal and straight. We check that it has no distortions, dents or bumps, that it is well supported on the ground and that it does not sink anywhere 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's profile (e.g., we do not use 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, along its entire path (both opening and closing), without its resistance to movement changing. 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 the mechanism's. If at some points the gate leaf's resistance suddenly increases, we stop and look for the reason. Possible causes are:

• A piece of weld protrudes at one of the track's joints.
• There was some debris that we did not clean.
• A gate wheel is jamming.
• The gate leaf is jamming in the support rollers.

5. The gate leaf must move without jerks or back-and-forth movements. The support rollers must cooperate well with the gate leaf. They must hold 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 gate leaf's travel. If such problems occur at some points, we stop and look for 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 specifically check how much the gate leaf moves back and forth when the gate is almost closed (as the gate leaf is very close but has not yet "hit" the opposite side), especially if the gate leaf is long and tall. We pay particular attention if the movement is such that it can cause the gate leaf to collide with the edges of the receiver ("pocket" - 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 look for 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 stiff enough and easily warps.
• The point where the support rollers are supported and therefore the gate leaf (e.g., a metal column) is not stiff enough and easily warps.

7. The gate leaf must move without ups and downs and jerks. If such problems occur at some points, we stop and look for the reason. Possible causes are:

• There was some debris that we did not clean.
• There is a gap at one of the track's joints.
• A gate wheel does not have a completely circular circumference or is excessively worn.
• The track sags instead of being completely horizontal everywhere.

8. When the gate is closed, the gate leaf must lock into the receptacle on the opposite side ("pocket" or closed-position limit stop, if such a receptacle exists, of course) leaving at least 2 centimeters of free space. In this position, it is advisable for the gate leaf to be secured in a way that prevents it from being lifted with a crowbar (a common method of forced entry on 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 both during opening and closing.

Basic installation characteristics of a sliding gate operator

The image above depicts a typical sliding gate automation installation. A basic prerequisite is a correctly and functionally sound gate. The gate must be 30-40cm longer than the opening. This allows the motor to be placed outside the opening and the entire width of the gate to remain clear for vehicle passage.

On the ground, the track on which the gate wheels roll is placed. The track is twice the length of the gate to cover the entire travel. The rollers hold the gate in a vertical position. The stops define the open and closed positions of the gate. All of the above are essential 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 movement is transmitted to the gate. The plastic rack is placed (screwed) onto the gate 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 prevent accidents. Classic photocells consist of a transmitter and receiver and require wiring on both sides of the gate. If this is not possible, safety photocells with a reflector can be installed.

Also, if the gate is near a busy road or visibility is poor, a warning beacon informs oncoming vehicles of the vehicle exiting the gate.

RIB K500 sliding gate operator installation procedure

The mechanism is installed on the base with the basic heights shown in the diagram below.

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 plate).

1. Choose the position of the mechanism's base, so that it is within the limits indicated by the above figures.

Note 1: The base must be supported either on an existing reinforced concrete floor, at least 10 cm thick, or on a foundation that will be 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: Water should not stagnate or pass through this point. If this happens, we must install the mechanism in an elevated position.
Note 3: For the gate to open and leave the entire width of the opening free, 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, push-button, etc.).

4. Install the power cables and the cables of the peripheral devices.

Note 1: The motor must be connected to the electrical grid by a qualified electrician.
Note 2: All cables must be placed inside suitable protective conduits.

Check with a spirit level that the base is horizontal, both in the direction parallel to the gate and, more importantly, in the direction perpendicular to the gate. The base must be absolutely parallel to the gate.

If there are cables emerging from the floor underneath the mechanism (e.g., power supply, safety photocell connection, etc.), pass them through the large hole in the upper part of the base.

The method of supporting 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. Support the base on 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 secured to the mounting base with 2 protruding screws. Place the mechanism on the base and screw it to it.

 

 

9. Disengage the mechanism:
Open the small door, insert the key into the lock and turn it counter-clockwise.
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 slot 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, we ensure that the rack does not rest on the gear but is slightly away 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 (creaks, noises, broken gear, mechanism uprooting, etc. etc.).
The recommended gap is 1.5 mm.
Never lubricate the rack or the gear. This does not contribute to the proper functioning 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 out the automation.

10. Open the gate completely and install the first section of the rack. Make sure to leave the necessary 1.5 mm height clearance between the rack and the gear. Continue with the remaining rack sections, ensuring the clearance is uniform.

Note: The rack must engage with the gear along its entire width throughout the gate's travel (and in the middle of its width, if possible). If necessary, the mechanism's distance from the gate leaf can be adjusted: Loosen the screws connecting the mechanism to the mounting base and move it perpendicularly to the gate leaf.

11. Once the rack is installed, check its correct placement by manually opening and closing the door at a low, constant speed. The movement must be smooth throughout, 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 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. Poor cooperation between limit switches and travel stops 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. Place the stoppers at both ends of the rack so that they activate the motor's limit switches. The open and closed 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 touching the mechanical stops in 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 appropriate way to determine the correct position of the stoppers is to observe when the control panel recognizes that each of the two limit switches is activated (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 is correctly wired concerning the opening direction of the mechanism (whether it opens to the right or to the left). The wiring must be correct before proceeding with adjustments.
• Move the door (manually) to the open position and observe when the indicator LED of the open limit switch turns off. Adjust the stopper's position to ensure a safety distance of at least 2 cm from the mechanical open stop.
• Move the door (manually) to the closed position and observe when the indicator LED of the closed limit switch turns off. Adjust the stopper's position to ensure a safety distance of at least 2 cm from the mechanical closed stop (or the post).

15. Once the stopper adjustments are complete, confirm the overall proper functioning of the automation. For this purpose, engage the mechanism and, using a remote control or push button, open and close the door a few times. Pay special attention to the correct operation of the limit switches (where the door stops), the safety photocells (they prevent closing if their beam is interrupted), and the door's stop 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 how the mechanism operates, its correct use, and any potential risks that may still exist during its operation.

 

 

RIB K500 sliding motor gear

The motor features a gear for transmitting movement to the door. The gear has protective covers to prevent accidents.

 

Also, after installation, the screw must be removed as indicated in the photo above.

Wiring of the RIB K500 sliding automation kit (Kit-Economy P)

 

For the wiring of the RIB K500 sliding kit (Kit-Economy P), the following are required:

• For the motor, a 3X1.5mm² cable suitable for outdoor use. If the distance where the motor will be installed is long, it is preferable for the cross-section to be 3X2.5mm². It is also advisable 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 (not included in the kit), a 4×0.6mm² cable is required for the receiver and a 2×0.6mm² 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 4×0.6mm² cable up to the transceiver (on the side where the motor is located).
• For the push-button panel or key-switch (not included in the kit), a 2×0.6mm² cable is required.
• For a warning light (not included in the kit), a 1×1.0 mm² or 2×1.0 mm² cable is required.
• Cables must be in conduits and protected from moisture.

RIB K500 kit (Kit-Economy P) Control Board

The RIB K500 kit (Kit-Economy P) includes the Autotech S5060T control board, which is integrated into the motor. It is a proven control board 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
• Motor force adjustment
• 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 instructs 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 an electric braking option
• Features 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 open only, which can be combined with automatic closing.
• Accepts a 230VAC lighting lamp or a 230VAC warning light without a flasher.
• The receiver is integrated and easy to operate.
• Features LED indicators that provide information on motor functions.

This control board was chosen over the competition due to its reliability and numerous features. Especially the soft-stop functions and the ability to adjust the motor's force set it apart from other sliding automation control boards.

 

RIB K500 sliding kit remote control (Kit-Economy P)

 

The RIB K500 sliding automation kit (Kit-Economy P) comes with a ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control operating at 433.92 MHz. The ProfelmNet PSD-36T remote control is easy to use, practical, and functional. It can store up to 4 doors. 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 remotes operating at 433.92 MHz.

 

Packaging of the RIB K500 sliding kit (Kit-Economy P)

The RIB K500 kit (Kit-Economy P) is delivered in 2 separate packages. One contains only the plastic rack, and the other contains the motor with its accessories. 

Before shipment, the kit is checked by our technicians. It is also delivered pre-adjusted and ready for installation.

 

RIB K500 Kit (Kit-Economy P)
Installation Instructions

The RIB K500 kit (Kit-Economy P) 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 complete the process successfully.

If the cables have been run, 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: mechanism installation, rack installation, and connections (power and peripherals).