Automation for swing and sliding gates: a set of necessary comfort

Recommendation points

• Varieties of drives and differences between them
• Features in the device mechanics
• Silence and stealth
• Safety and special features
• Auxiliary equipment

Very rare suppliers provide consumers with a truly free choice of drive technology for gates, roller shutters and barriers. As a positive example, we will take the products of the ALUTECH company, whose wide assortment we use to study the types of drive automation for entrance gates..

Varieties of drives and differences between them

Today, in the CIS, ALUTECH offers a wide (in different price segments) set of tools for automating all types of gates, as well as barriers and accessories. All drive technology has its own distinctive features, both in design and in the method of installation.

In this article, we will consider the automation for the most popular group of gates – the entrance gate. Depending on the characteristics of the backyard territory and the wishes of the owners, the entrance gates can be sliding or swinging.

For entrance gates, ALUTECH offers to choose a drive from one of 2 manufacturers: AN-Motors (Belarus) or Comunello (Italy).

The AN-Motors sliding gate automation was developed by the designers of the ALUTECH company. Comunello actuators – new in the range from Italian developers.

The sliding gate operators are implemented in rack and pinion. The ASL (AN-Motors) and Fort (Comunello) series differ in functionality, permissible load and operating intensity, as well as in appearance.

• ASL (AN-Motors) – the optimal series of automatics for controlling heavy sliding gates with medium intensity of use.
• Fort (Comunello) – a series of modern electric drives for controlling lighter sliding gates weighing up to 1000 kg.

It is possible to automate the control of swing gates with drives from ALUTECH: AN-Motors or Comunello (Abacus series). Depending on the size and weight of the gate, the electric drive can be linear or lever.

• ASW (AN-Motors) – arm and linear automatics with a favorable cost. The ASW5000KIT package is perfect for the operation of heavy and medium-weight doors with relatively frequent use. This line of automation has shown itself well in the CIS climate: it works stably in conditions of strong wind and voltage drops.
• ASW (AN-Motors) – lever-type automatics with the best price. The ASW4000KIT package was developed for doors with medium weight and medium frequency of use. The range of drives is easy to install and convenient to use. This automation is reliable and designed for a long service life..
• Abacus (Comunello) is a stylish and reliable automation designed to be connected to gates with a maximum wing weight of 500 kg. High quality mechanics and electronics ensure a long service life in all weather conditions.

Features in the device mechanics

A good automatic drive is distinguished by the quality and reliability of the mechanism. The most preferred metal gear parts with the most accurate fit to eliminate unnecessary noise and vibration.

Equally important is the presence of a number of functions that make the device easier to use and improve its performance. One of these is the ability to manually unlock. In fact, this is a simple clutch; in some models, access to it can be provided only after opening a mechanical or electric lock with a key.

Naturally, we must not forget about the safety of the drive mechanics. ALUTECH operators for entrance gates have a high degree of protection against moisture and dust ingress into the mechanism. In addition, high-quality drive technology is necessarily made on the basis of a robust cast body, which does not allow for misalignment of parts under external influences and overload..

Silence and stealth

In the operation of automated gates, not only functionality is important, but also the aesthetic side of the issue. The primary criterion for evaluating aesthetics is the size and appearance of the devices. It is impossible not to notice that the ALUTECH technique looks appropriate for different style solutions and does not attract too much attention. Austere and original European design, minimalistic look, optimal weight and dimensions make these devices truly universal in use..

To eliminate noise in automatic mechanisms, special units are used, and the gearboxes are filled with grease, which together reduces the likelihood of extraneous noise to a minimum. The main source of loud sounds are mechanical transmission elements, so unpleasant noise can be avoided only with the highest quality parts. This is typical for the entire line of the considered ALUTECH products..

Engine noises are compensated by high-quality electronic power management circuitry. At the beginning of the movement, the engine exerts a force above the rated one, and then it adjusts to the current load. When the actual speed is exceeded, DC braking is activated. Thanks to this, the door moves quickly, with smooth acceleration and stop, and the hum of the engine is monotonous and very quiet.

Safety and special features

In addition to controlling the power supply of motors, electronic automation units include several additional functions that have a beneficial effect on safety of use, protection against damage to the mechanism and, most importantly, allowing equipment to be adapted to work in different conditions. Understanding the essence of these functions is the main benefit for those who intend to buy an automatic gate drive, and then operate it for a long time and without problems..

The range of ALUTECH automatics for entrance gates includes models that are equipped with the ability to regulate the traction force. Due to this, the operator can be configured to work with doors of a certain weight and efficiently implement inertia damping. This function also provides safety in case of collision of the gate with a person or other obstacle..

The gate structure can be supplemented with special motion sensors – photocells. They form an invisible ray between them, upon crossing which the door leaf stops moving. Thanks to photocells, it becomes possible to use the automatic closing function after passing.

A stop signal in the end positions is given by a system of limit switches. The ability to stop in intermediate positions is also very important. As a rule, this is realized by the engine revolution counter, and the user himself chooses the opening degree of the gate. The function is useful mainly due to the possibility of using one wing of the gate as a wicket or raising the garage door for ventilation.

Additional electronic equipment includes the thermal control of motors, which excludes their failure when the gate is jammed or when the intensity of use is exceeded. Thermal control fuses are self-healing, so the automation itself will return to normal use after normal temperature values ​​are established.

And to keep the equipment running smoothly in winter operation, the range includes heating elements.

Auxiliary equipment

As you can see, the range of drive technology from ALUTECH is capable of solving the widest possible range of tasks, while maintaining a sufficiently high ergonomics of use. But the drive units and control units themselves are far from an exhaustive list of what is needed to effectively automate an entrance gate..

It would be unfair if, with such a wide selection, such essential details as flashing lights, remotes and keypads were missing. Everything you need is in the supplier’s catalog, so the purchase can be carried out in one place.

Mounting products for different types of drives are formed into universal kits, and therefore the wizard is guaranteed to have everything necessary to install the drive and connect it. To control the automated gates as convenient as possible, you can install coded keypads or additional remote controls. In addition, there are radio signal receivers, columns for mounting control devices – push-button, lock, RFID readers. Some of these devices have a wireless connection to the control electronics..

ALUTECH Group of Companies offers a diverse range of drives and accessories for complex automation of any object. The use of high-quality automation greatly facilitates the control of door structures, increases their functionality, reliability and safety of work.