Automatic sliding gates are a wonderful option for a summer house or a private home. They are reliable, durable and easy to use. Today in the market of building materials there is a large selection of necessary components for gates, so you can build them yourself. To do this, it is enough to understand the principle of operation and take into account all the design features of the sliding gate, and when installing, adhere to the installation technology of fences of this type.

Content

1. Principle of operation and description of automatic sliding gates  video
2. Accessories for creating automatic sliding gates
3. Do it yourself automatic sliding gate
   • necessary tools and materials
   • getting started: developing a plan and preparing a place for installing the gate
   • support pillars and foundation laying  video
   • frame manufacturing
   • installation of the frame and sheathing of sliding gates
   • installation of automation  video

Principle of operation and description of automatic sliding gates

Until recently, sliding gates were rarely installed and the most popular fence was ordinary swing gates. This was due to the high cost of components for sliding gates. Today, a set of accessories for automatic sliding gates has become more affordable, and more and more people are interested in and independently install such gates.

There are two types of sliding gates for summer cottages:

• rail gates;
• gates of console type.

The first option is an outdated type of gate that can be found in enterprises or in private households. The second option, widespread everywhere, is more popular. Such gates have an additional console, which is a continuation of the door leaf. The console is hidden behind the fence, which is adjacent to the gate.

The principle of operation of automatic gates of the console type is as follows. A rigid guide (console) is welded to the sliding gate frame, thanks to which the web moves. The guide moves along the sliding trolleys mounted on the foundation for the gate.

Each sliding trolley has 8 bearings with pressed polymer or metal rollers. Retractable trolleys are located inside the rails, which further protects them from atmospheric precipitation and extends the term of use.

Under normal operating conditions, the sliding gate system must withstand at least 50,000 closing / opening cycles, which is approximately 15 years of average intensity of use

The advantages of automatic sliding gates include:

• the ability to drive cars of any height (there is no guide at the top and bottom of the opening);

• the gates can be controlled automatically or mechanically;
• no additional maintenance required;
• ease of installation (you can install sliding automatic gates yourself).

The main disadvantage of installing sliding gates is the use of a large enough space for opening the gate. Often, due to lack of space, one has to abandon sliding gates in favor of swing gates.

Accessories for creating automatic sliding gates

For the manufacture of automatic gates with their own hands, it is necessary to purchase special components for installing a sliding system.

The kit for console sliding doors should include:

1. Bearing beam (guide). Its thickness depends on the severity of the door panel, and the length should be 1.6 * the width of the doorway.
2. Roller carriages (carrying trolleys), 2 pieces.
3. A board that keeps the gate from swinging laterally during movement.
4. The end roller reduces the weight of the door when it is open and ensures silent operation of the system.
5. The lower and upper limiter (trap) reduces the swing of the gate during the wind.

If automatic gate control is planned, then you must additionally buy an automation kit, which consists of the following elements:

1. The gearbox (drive) for sliding gates is the brain of the working mechanism. When choosing it, you must consider:
   • engine power (depends on the weight of the gate);
   • intensity of use of the gate;
   • materials for the manufacture of basic parts (quality products are made of steel, cheaper ones from powder metal or silumin);
   • limit switches (mechanical or magnetic).               
2. Toothed rack (it is better to use a galvanized rail). For long (more than 4.5 meters) and heavy gates, it is necessary to choose a gear rack with a thickness of at least 8 mm.
3. Photocells synchronize the arrival of an infrared ray between the transmitter and receiver, prevent the gate from closing if there is any object in the opening.
4. Remote Control.
5. Signal lamp.
6. Mounting base.

Automation, assembled from components of German and Italian manufacturers, is considered the most reliable and is suitable for use in different climatic conditions.

When installing sliding gates yourself, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of opening them in case of breakdown of automation

Do it yourself automatic sliding gate

Let us consider in detail how to make a sliding gate of a cantilever type with a sheathing from a profile sheet.

Necessary tools and materials

Of the tools you need to work:

• welding machine (inverter or conventional), designed for a current of more than 1000 Am;
• electrodes 3 or 2.5 mm thick;
• metal cutting machine or grinder;
• disks for cutting and metal processing before painting;
• air compressor for painting (if it is not there, then you can use a regular brush or roller);
• concrete mixer;
• shovel;
• hammer;
• screwdriver;
• roulette;
• building level.

It is not necessary to buy expensive construction tools (welding machine, grinder), they can be rented for a while, it will be economically feasible.

For the manufacture of sliding gates, the following materials must be prepared:

• profile pipe for the manufacture of the frame (60 * 40 * 1.5-2.5) and jumpers (40 * 20 * 1.5-2.5); metal pipes can be purchased at the metal warehouse, trying to choose a material without rust and flaws;
• profile sheets for sheathing;
• paint and primer;
• sealant;
• reinforcement with a cross section of 10-14 mm;
• metal channel 16-20 mm;
  
• casing fasteners (self-tapping screws and exhaust fasteners);
• wires for automation (wire length distance from the electrical panel to the foundation);
• console equipment.

Getting started: development of a plan and preparation of a place for the installation of gates

An important stage in the creation of sliding gates is drawing up a drawing indicating all sizes (height, width, length, clearances and a place to roll back). The weight of the gate and the subsequent selection of the console kit depend on the material of the frame and the dimensions of the door.

The width of the gate should be sufficient for free entry / exit of transport.

In addition, it is necessary to take into account the width of the street in narrow lanes, you have to install wide gates for the normal turn of the car.

In order to understand whether the opening will be convenient, you can drive a couple of pegs in the width of the gate into the ground and try to drive into the yard by car.

The width of the opening determines the place required for the rollback of the gate.

Optimum gate length (opening width + rollback location) \u003d gate opening * 1.6

The height of the gate is usually taken 10 cm less than the height of the fence itself.

After drawing up the drawing, you can begin to prepare the place for the installation of automatic gates. The opening must be leveled and cleaned of debris.

Separately, you need to prepare a place for cutting, painting and welding of metal pipes and cloth. For such work, you can build and install special goats.

The construction of supporting pillars and laying the foundation

Installation of automatic gates should begin with the installation of support poles. As the material for the support, you can use: channel, oak timber, steel pipe, brick or concrete pillar.

Mount the support post to a depth of at least one meter

Post installation procedure:

1. Dig a hole one or more meters deep.
2. Set the post by level.
3. Fill the pit with concrete (a solution of sand, cement and crushed stone of a small fraction).

It takes about a week to harden the concrete. Therefore, in order not to lose time, it is necessary to take care in advance of the construction of support pillars.

The foundation is laid as follows:

1. We dig out a U-shaped trench (the depth at the location of the columns is about 1700 mm, in the bridge 500 mm).
2. The bottom of the trench should be covered with sand (10 cm) and rammed.
3. Cut the fittings into pieces of 1 meter and weld to the shelves of the channel.
4. We lower the channel with the reinforcement into the trench with the legs down and align its location with the level.
5. We fill concrete with a reinforcing framework.

The top of the channel should be on the same level with the ground, creating a level area for the car to enter. We leave the foundation to harden for a week, and during this time you can make the gate frame and sheathe it with metal sheets.

Frame manufacturing

According to the existing drawing, we cut pipes for the main structure (frame) and for jumpers.

It is necessary to measure and cut metal very carefully, controlling the correct angles of inclination of the jumpers

Before welding, all elements of the frame must be cleaned with a metal brush (remove scale), degreased with a solvent and treated with anti-corrosion primer for metal.

The sequence of welding the frame and lathing:

1. For the convenience of work, you can create a special stand for welding: drive stakes into the ground and lay jumpers.
2. Lay out profile pipes (longitudinal and transverse gate frames) on the stand, grab them with dots, check the diagonals of the structure and weld the seams.
3. We lay out the crate of the sliding gate, grab it and check the evenness of the structure. We weld the crate with short seams (1 cm every 0.5 cm).
4. Strip welds, degrease and paint the frame.

Mounting the frame and covering the sliding gates

Installation of sliding gates takes place in the following sequence:

1. We insert into the carrier beam into the cart with rollers. We install this design on the foundation (channel).
2. We push the beam into the opening. At the same time, we adjust the clearance between the column and the end of the beam (optimally about 4-5 cm).
3. Under the console, you need to put the plank so that it does not fall on the free end.
4. Weld the rear trolley.
5. The front carrier trolley, when the gate is fully open, will abut against the end roller, so it must be installed at a distance of about 15 cm from the edge of the opening.
6. The platforms of the supporting trolleys must be scalded (4 cm seams on each side).
7. We install the panel frame on the supporting beam, controlling the coincidence of their axes.
8. We weld the frame to the beam on both sides (seam about 3 cm, step 40 cm). At the location of the rollers to make seams do not need welding can damage them.
9. Install the upper bracket. The bracket rollers must be removed during welding so that they do not melt. The gate panel must be strictly vertical.
10. The gap between the panel and the supporting beam must first be treated with anticorrosive primer, and then with sealant. Damaged places during installation must be painted.
11. Sheathe the door frame with a profile sheet. Fasteners should be evenly spaced. After installing all the sheets, you can make the middle line of fasteners according to previously applied marks.
12. Mounting the bottom trap. To install the lower trap, you must additionally mount the support pipe (metal profile 80 * 80). The so-called receiving pole is attached to the fence post by welding using a large number of anchors. The lower trap is mounted in such a way that the gate rolls onto it with an end roller.

Installation of automation

After installing the sliding gate, you can proceed with the installation of automation. First you need to read the instructions for the electric drive, as different automatic systems have some differences and installation nuances. However, there are rules that apply to all models, without exception.

1. A mounting base is installed on the channel (between the roller carriages).
2. An electric drive is mounted on the mounting base.
3. The gear rack should be on the frame pipe, and not on the guide rail. In this case, the rail should be located in the middle of the gear of the electric drive.
4. The rail is attached along the entire length of the gate.
5. We install limit switches on the rail, connect the drive.
6. On the side of the roadway with the help of screws, a signal lamp is mounted.
7. Connecting and connecting electricians to the control board of the automatic drive must be carried out in accordance with the scheme specified in the instructions

Homemade sliding gates will cost much cheaper than ordering them in a specialized company. But, nevertheless, for their installation you will have to buy special accessories for sliding gates and an automation system. In addition, you must be prepared that the installation of sliding gates with your own hands is a laborious process that requires accurate calculation, certain knowledge and skills in construction.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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