Automatic metal swing gates are very convenient to use - you can enter the site or garage as safely as possible. Moreover, you do not even have to leave the car interior - you can open the entrance using a simple remote control. Moreover, you can install a keychain with an identifier in the car and make the system look like store models (“anti-theft”).
The main advantage of this mechanism is that you can control the entrance from afar, which is very useful in bad weather. But the cost of finished products is quite high - it will be much cheaper to assemble automatic gates from improvised materials. It is this budget design that we will consider today.
Features of automatic swing gates
Immediately you need to pay attention to what types of structures can be implemented in practice. There is no need to go deep into this issue, to study the original designs that are found ina single copy.
We will only talk about gates that are widely used in practice, and these are:
- Garage.
- Swing.
- Recoil.
It is the hinged ones that have a rich history, you can recognize them by their characteristic feature - they have two wings fixed on the side support pillars with hinges. The design of the gate is simple and reliable, but to open them, you need a lot of space on the site or outside.
Advantages and disadvantages of swing structures
Swing structures are perfect for a very narrow passage, as they have a high degree of reliability. But there is also a drawback - very high requirements for the quality of the installation of side supports. If they are not rigid enough, then the valves will tilt. As a result, they will begin to close poorly, they may even jam.
Therefore, the installation of metal swing gates should be carried out only on strong supports. It is advisable to use thick-walled pipes lined with bricks. To implement this type of automatic opening of the gate, you need two drives that will work synchronously. Please note that all other types of designs work with only one electric drive.
Sliding gate designs
But if you are not interested in making metal swing gates, pay attention to retractable designs. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that the entire canvas can literallyhide behind a fence. There are several types of rollback systems:
- Cantilever - the door leaf rests on rollers that are installed on a concrete foundation. This foundation must be poured away from the platform for the passage of the car. The most reliable systems are doors with lower roller carriages and upper rails.
- Rail structures differ in that the sash rests on rollers. The latter move along the guide, which is mounted directly on the roadway. Such designs are not widely used, as they need constant care of the rail and a flat area.
- Suspended structures - a guide is installed on top, the sash moves along it on rollers. Such designs are ideal for places where you need to install a canvas with a height of at least two meters. It is relevant to use such a design with a large height difference and at the entrance for trams, locomotives. If there is not enough space for the sash on one side, they make a structure of two halves.
Advantages and disadvantages of sliding gates
Please note that sliding systems are the most practical, as they do not depend on whether there is a place immediately before entering. Among the shortcomings of such structures, one can single out that it is necessary to make a high-quality foundation. The design of sliding gates is much more complicated than that of swing gates.
Yes, and the site should be large enough in width - on one side ofthe distance must be at least five meters. But such designs are very easy to automate, they are reliable and convenient. As for garages, it is best to use sectional, roller shutter or lift-and-turn mechanisms for them. But it is quite difficult to make these systems in artisanal conditions, so we will not consider them in our material.
Varieties of drives for automation
It is clear that the shaft of any electric motor rotates, and we need translational motion to drive. To make a "conversion", you can use the following constructions:
- Crank mechanisms.
- Worm or screw gear.
- Gear and rack.
- Chain transmission.
These kinematic schemes are easy to build and proven over the years. You can implement them even in garage conditions with a minimum set of tools.
Automation for swing gates
And now consider what is required for the manufacture of garage metal swing gates or leading to the yard. To make such a design, you need to install lever or linear actuators. Linear - these are mechanisms with a screw or worm gear, they work due to the fact that the length of the rod changes. According to the principle of operation, lever arms are very similar to the human hand.
They have two short levers that are connected by a movable hinge. Such designs are quite complex, therefore, linear-type drives are most often used in practice. They are easily installed on swing doors.gate, and you can realize the opening in any direction. In the event that the canvases are hung on brick pillars, any lever type can be used - they are not so demanding on the fulcrum.
If you decide to make a drive yourself, then you can use, for example, actuators for antennas to implement the opening of the shutters. As for lever structures, they are made on the basis of power window mechanisms. Some craftsmen install an electric motor from a windshield wiper and an old jack for VAZ cars of the classic series.
Sliding curtains: features of automation
To make a sliding gate drive, you can use factory automation. It includes such components: the electric drive itself, the control unit, sensors, the gear rack. If you want to save money, you can find a suitable electric motor and gearbox, sprockets and chain. And it will be possible to implement the drive design very quickly - after all, everything is already at hand. And now let's get back to the manufacture of swing gates.
Preparatory work
In order to make metal swing gates with a wicket gate for a summer residence, you can purchase a factory kit. The industry produces a lot of drives - both linear and lever. Moreover, you can choose not only the type of drive, but also the operating voltage, the force when opening. The mechanisms have a very high strength, they remain operational in all weather conditions - both in snow and in rain or heat.
But the cost of such mechanisms, as you know, is very high - over 20 thousand rubles. But you can make swing gates yourself without much difficulty. To do this, consider the following factors:
- The place where the gate is planned to be installed.
- Wash opening method - outward or inward.
- Sash overall dimensions.
- Type and type of installation of support racks.
- Methods for wiring to the actuator.
- Type of power supply (mains only or battery backup will be installed).
- Be sure to pay attention to the design features of the latch.
And do not forget that if not everything, then a lot depends on the characteristics of the materials used in the construction.
How to install support legs?
Swing metal gates with a gate should be installed on poles that are buried in the ground at least a meter. Otherwise, under the influence of the weight of the valves, they will begin to move in the vertical plane. Gate post installation method:
- The location of the pillars is marked.
- Two pits are dug: no more than 50 cm in diameter, about one and a half meters deep.
- Crushed stone is laid on the bottom (about 20 cm in height). Water it and compact it.
- Install the support and align it in the vertical plane.
- Mix cement grade M400 with sand and water (proportion 1:3:3).
- Pour solution into the pits, bayonet to get rid of air.
If the mass of the racks is quite large, thenfoundation arrangement and ligation of metal racks will be required.
Welding gate leaves
All welding work must be done on a level and clean area. It is advisable to make a simple slipway from wooden bars and slats. Remember that swing metal gates like those shown in the photo in the article can be deformed by the force of the wind.
Therefore, it is necessary to make the frame as rigid as possible. This is especially necessary if the frame is sheathed with polycarbonate or corrugated board. The supporting frame is made using the following technology:
- Cut the profile into the required pieces.
- Lay the lower crossbar on the slipway, weld the side racks to it at a right angle.
- Install the top crossbar and remaining components.
- Weld loops.
- If necessary, fasten corrugated board or polycarbonate.
- Clean up all welds.
All painting work should only be done after the actuator has been installed.
Making a simple drive
In the manufacture of lightweight garage metal swing gates, you can use simple actuators that extend the antenna. But if the gate is heavy, it is necessary to use a more serious drive. It will require the following items:
- Two wiper drives.
- Two screw jacks used on classic VAZ cars.
- Several pieces of rectangular and square pipes.
- Threaded studs (diameter 6 and length 10 mm).
Of course, you will need a grinder, welding, drill and other tools.
The process of manufacturing an electric drive for metal swing gates for a garage is as follows:
- Remove the metal protective covers from both jacks, dismantle the gears and handles. Build a retainer from washers and circlips. It will prevent longitudinal displacement of the screw.
- Cut off the support platform from the jack.
- Disassemble the wiper drive. You only need an electric motor with a gearbox.
- Take a section of the profile 20 x 20 mm, no more than 8 cm long. You need to make a coupling from it - fix it on the jack screw.
- It is necessary to make a hole in the bar and cut a thread in it, on which the gearbox shaft will be screwed.
- Install the counter part of the gate drive on the electric motor.
- A small steel plate (8cm x 8cm) needs to be welded to the top to hold the motor.
- Drill holes for mounting gear.
- All parts of the drive are connected with long nuts and studs.
The drive from the power windows of GAZelle cars shows itself well in operation.
