Automatic metal swing gates are very convenient to use - you can enter the site or into the garage as safely as possible. And you don’t even have to leave the car interior - you can open the entrance with a simple remote control. Moreover, you can install a keychain with an identifier in the car and make a system similar to store models (“anti-theft”).
The main advantage of such a 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. No need to delve deeply into this issue, to study the original designs that are found in a single copy.
We will only talk about gates that are widely used in practice, and this:
- Garage.
- Swing.
- Retractable.
It is hinges that have a rich history, you can recognize them by a characteristic feature - they have two wings fixed to the side support posts with hinges. The design of the gate is simple and reliable, but to open them, you need a lot of space on the site itself or outside.
Advantages and disadvantages of swing structures
Swing structures are perfect for very narrow access, as they have a high degree of reliability. But there is a drawback - very high requirements for the quality of installation of side supports. If they turn out to be not rigid enough, then the flaps will tilt. As a result, they will start 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 realize automatic opening of gates of this type, you need two drives that will work synchronously. Please note that all other types of structures work with only one electric drive.
Sliding Gate Designs
But if you are not interested in the manufacture of metal swing gates, pay attention to the sliding structures. Their feature is that the entire canvas can literally be hidden behind the 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 car to travel. The most reliable systems are gates with lower roller trolleys and upper rails.
- Rail designs differ in that the sash is supported by rollers. The latter move along the guide, which is mounted directly on the roadway. Such designs are not widespread, since they need constant care of the rail and in a flat area.
- Suspended structures - a guide is installed on top, the sash moves on rollers along it. Such designs are ideal for places where you need to install a canvas with a height of at least two meters. The actual use of such a design with a large difference in height and at the entrance for trams, locomotives. If on the one hand there is not enough space for the sash, make a design of two halves.
Advantages and disadvantages of sliding gates
Please note that sliding systems are the most practical, since they do not depend on whether there is a place immediately before the entrance. Among the shortcomings of such structures, one can distinguish that it is necessary to make a quality foundation. The construction of sliding gates is much more complicated than that of swing gates.
And the site should be quite large in width - there should be a distance of at least five meters to one side of the passage. But such designs are very easy to automate, they are reliable and convenient. As for garages, it is best for them to use sectional, rolling or hoisting and turning mechanisms. But these systems in artisanal conditions are difficult to manufacture, so we will not consider them in our material.
Varieties of drives for automation
It is clear that for any electric motor the shaft rotates, and for the drive we need translational motion. To make a "conversion", you can use the following structures:
- Crank mechanisms.
- Worm gear or helical gear.
- Gear wheel and rail.
- Chain drive.
These kinematic schemes are easy to build and tested over the years. You can implement them even in garage conditions with a minimum set of tools.
Automation for swing gates
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 electric drives. Linear are mechanisms with screw or worm gears, 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 a human hand.
They have two short levers that are connected using a movable hinge. Such designs are quite complex, so most often in practice they use linear drives. They can be easily installed on the swing gates, and opening can be realized in any direction. In the event that the paintings are hung on pillars of brick, you can use any lever type - they are not so demanding on the fulcrum.
If you decide to make the drive yourself, then, for the implementation of the opening of the wings, you can use, for example, actuators for antennas. As for the lever structures, they are made on the basis of window lifter mechanisms. Some craftsmen put an electric motor from a wiper and an old jack for VAZ cars of the classic series.
Sliding Blades: Automation Features
To make a sliding gate drive, you can use the factory automation. It includes such components: directly the electric drive, control unit, sensors, gear rack. If you want to save money, you can find the right electric motor and gearbox, sprockets and chain. And to implement the drive design will turn out very quickly - because everything is already at hand. And now let's get back to the manufacture of swing type gates.
Preparatory work
In order to make swing gates for summer cottages with a gate, 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 any 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 the swing gates yourself without much difficulty. To do this, consider the following factors:
- The place where you plan to install the gate.
- The method of opening the leaves is outward or inward.
- Overall dimensions of the wings.
- Type and type of installation of struts-supports.
- Methods for laying wires to the electric drive.
- Type of power supply (mains only or backup battery will be installed).
- Be sure to pay attention to the design features of the latch.
And do not forget that, if not all, then much depends on the characteristics of the materials used in the design.
How to put support racks?
Swing metal gates with a wicket should be installed on poles that are buried in the ground at least a meter. Otherwise, under the influence of the weight of the wings, they will begin to shift in the vertical plane. The method of installing the supports for the gate:
- The installation location of the posts is marked.
- Two holes are dug: a diameter of not more than 50 cm, a depth of about one and a half meters.
- Crushed stone is laid at the bottom (about 20 cm in height). Water it and condense it.
- Install the support and level it in a vertical plane.
- Mix M400 cement with sand and water (1: 3: 3 ratio).
- Pour the solution into the pits; to get rid of air, make a bayonet.
If the mass of the racks is quite large, then you will need to equip the foundation and dressing the racks of metal.
Gate leaf welding
All welding work must be done on a flat and clean place. It is advisable to make a simple slipway from wooden bars and battens. Remember that similar to the oar metal gates shown in the article in the photo can be deformed under the influence of 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 according to this technology:
- Cut the profile into the necessary pieces.
- Lay the lower cross member on the slipway, and the side posts welded to it at right angles.
- Install the upper cross member and the remaining components.
- Weld the loop.
- If necessary, fasten corrugated board or polycarbonate.
- Strip all welds.
All painting work must be done only after the drive is installed.
Making a simple drive
In the manufacture of light garage metal swing gates, you can use simple actuators that extend the antenna. But if the gate is heavy, you need to use a more serious drive. It will require the following elements:
- Two wiper drives.
- Two screw jacks that are used on VAZ cars of the classic series.
- Several pieces of pipes of rectangular and square sections.
- Threaded studs (diameter 6 and length 10 mm).
Of course, you will need a grinder, welding, drill and other tools.
The manufacturing process of the electric swing gates for a garage is as follows:
- Remove metal protective covers from both jacks, dismantle gears and handles. Build a lock from washers and lock rings. It will prevent the longitudinal movement 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, length no more than 8 cm. From it you need to make a coupling - fix it on the jack screw.
- It is necessary to make a hole in the bar and cut a thread in it onto which the gearbox shaft will be wound.
- Install the reciprocal part of the gate drive on the electric motor.
- A small plate of steel (size 8 x 8 cm) needs to be welded to the upper part, and an electric motor will be fixed on it.
- Drill holes for mounting the gearbox.
- All parts of the drive are connected using long nuts and studs.
The drive from the power windows of the GAZelle cars is not bad at work.