I can be an adviser since i'm an installer and sales.

Italian motor durability depends, sliding type is so far on par with local made motors. For Swing/Fold type is not really that good since the since of the motor casing is big and bulky. I've install mostly AC Motor made in Italy depending on customer requests. They last for at least 10 years or so. Usual worn parts are bearings.

The truth is UniGate just design and fabricate the main gate. They don't manufacture the motor system and control panel. They might had patented the movement part for it. But the motor system is 100% made from DCMoto in penang. I've seen the system demo back in exhibition, is GFM 905NSE. Just branded DIGICRAFT (having other re-branding to avoid in-competitive market). If you look at UNIGATE youtube video, you can see the motor, keypad and remote control, control box is a direct DNA of DCMoto GFM 905NSE. There is no german technology in anyway. Pioneer in autogate system is from Italy no matter what. Our local manufacture copies + improved + enhance + redesign it. We should be proud of our local designer/manufacturer.

Autogate sensor protection in usual is optional. By means that the control panel has the feature, just the accessories not included such as active infra red sensor (TX + RX) and siren box (GFM 925W has siren box built-in).

Unigate middle mount act as a locking mechanism which hold the end of both fold swing in-line. If that mount gave way, then is not align.

AUTOGATE. This should be pinned.

Sliding type : There is only one method. TRACK/GEAR driven sliding motor. Comes in two type of motor powered.

AC (Alternate Current) 240V motor and DC (Direct Current) 12V or 24V or 26V DC motor.

AC = No main power, manual release. There is no backup power for it to run in case of power failure. AC Motor has more horsepower than DC. Best suit for heavy and long length gate. Especially found in factory gate and big bungalow house. Prone to lightning/thunder damage, usually you get motherboard toast or worse scenario is motor armature toast or short-circuit. Require limit switch to stop the gate movement, which mean bad if your limit switch on any end is not functioning or missing. It won't stop, crash! If flood prone area, bad idea to install AC motor!

DC type = Best suited for residential gate not exceeding 20feet length. Low voltage but high current. The safest possible motor available. Reason is simple, 24V or even 26V won't electrocute you! Flexible in speed as DC motor can have variable speed at pre-programmed. Prone to flood area is not an issue, it runs even submerged in water. Is the same DC operated motor technology that been use on DC motor water pump submerged in a pool.

Limit switch, it has two type. One is using limit switch to stop the gate in motion. Where else another technology as we called it "counting step system" It was first introduce back in 1999 from DCMoto. One of the best selling motor in Malaysia. It operates without limit switch, meaning you do have to worry about missing or faulty limit switch!! What DCMoto invented is using a counting system whereby it counts the steps it takes from gate motion from Point A to Point B, then calibrate it operate the gate system at 2 speed (generation 1) & 3 speed (generation 2). You get high and low speed and for Gen2, you get cushion speed. Is considered the most accurate counting step DC motor sliding gate system.

The best part of DC motor is having backup power. Powered by rechargeable battery whenever there is power failure. Whenever there is main power, it uses the main power to operate the system while charging the battery when is in idle mode. You don't have to get down your car when there is power failure! Downside, rechargeable battery doesn't last long! Lifespan for rechargeable battery can be around 12 to 36 months depending on quality and humidity.

thanks for the info.thanks for using layman terms too
so if want to add on the sensor to normal gate installation is how much?
erm so unigate middle mount easy to spoil ar?from the youtube video tht h2d posted.unigate's got this no welding joint to wall pillar thing n 24 donno wad gate bearings..does that really make a difference relative to the track system autogates in d market?so far i think unigate is d only company selling trackless folding gate in malaysia.

Sensor accessories im not sure how much they charge in KL.

UniGate is considered the first to design trackless folding gate.

Folding Gate was first invented by LEGATE/BTE Engineering from Ipoh, Perak back in 2000. That's when the evolution of autogate system takes place. Without this company designing this folding gate, there wouldn't be UniGate as we see today.

Salute for the great info. My installer gonna install OAE brand this coming week. Folding type gate. The autogate will operate at least 10 times per day but not more than 20 judging from the current usage.

Was planning to get DC or Casa Asia from the information gathered here but in the end was getting good price for the OAE. Will try 1st and if any problem arise and hard to get assist, will switch to DC brand.

On Unigate, I was quote 21k for 15 ft LED Stainless Steel. And till the time I walked away, they still dun want to tell me the brand of their autogate.

LED stainless steel,means got lights on the SS gate? i tot the brand of their autogate is unigate

ooh thanks jimmylim85

This post has been edited by ~Curious~: Jun 16 2013, 01:19 AM

About choosing Iron Gate, I don't think you need to be so fancy with it. Is just a gate for your house, spending over rm 10k is so unnecessary, or worse... RM 21k?? You could easily save rm 10k for other parts of your house for renovation.

My golden thumb rule is simple. "your neighbor operate auto-gate, you also can operate auto-gate". Nothing fancy. Iron gate design always change in trend. Hard to follow.

Btw Casa Asia is also made in Penang. Good product.

FYI..

OAE = screw driven arm type. First found in DCMoto back in year 2000. Even Italian arm type is using screw driven.

About hydraulic driven, it exist but mostly made in Italy. Never heard from local producing it due to high cost and reliability issue such as rubber seals and oil leak.

Casa Asia & DCMoto uses the same "planetary gear system".

There is some photo i'm not sure is it appropriate to post on how OAE damage done.

Please post up the photo. It is good to have more knowledge of a product. So, is the OAE reliable enough to use?

Thanks for sharing, good to share and exchange knowledge.

OAE = Screw Driven = WORM Drive in engineering term, there are good and bad for WORM and planetary/Epicyclic gearing. WORM have seaf breaking (non-reversibility), Planetary required breaking gears/shaft to prevent the gate push open.

Given the same build and quality both will last long. Correct me if I am wrong, during my search for autogate I find the DC motor will be harder to fit in smaller gate like 10' gate, putting the DC motor may take up more space, and actually the submerge/arm version will be better.

This post has been edited by weikee: Jun 16 2013, 09:09 AM

In actual fact, OAE and DCMoto share the same depth space taken roughly 6.5 inches. Just because of OAE look slimmer doesn't mean it does take up space.

In gearbox. OAE gearbox is horizontal where else DCMoto GFM gearbox is vertically constructed.

Here is a comparison between OAE and DCMoto GFM925W


OAE 333 Stainless Steel. Note : cable is exposed.



DCMoto GFM925W. Note : cable is hide inside the cover box. Underneath. Clean and smart looking.

Correction, underground motor is the worst. Runs on clutch type motor. Years goes by when the rubber seal is damage, water enters then you'll have endless problem. Solenoid locking in the middle, adds another part need to be service in years goes by. OLD technology, runs on timing and bangs! in either opening or closing it. Limited to swing type only.

Not really in term of reliability for submerged version. My old house been using it many years no problems. My in law house been using it before y2k, never been repair on the system. Only problem was the transmitter and receiver which I help them replace it and only hundred plus sold in Lelong.

Key is get the reliable unit and good installation service. It go long time. Don't look only the cheap first time installation but reliable and good service.

For me anything can last > 5 years is already good enough...maybe I do too much capex budgeting.

i would like chioose DC Moto 925W. Do you know where i can get in KL? BTW I just use back developer mild steel only. Is it no problem with using back mild steel?

This post has been edited by petlu28: Jun 17 2013, 12:11 PM

No problem.

Even old gates works.

Here is a picture of it. Dated 2009. GFM905SE

One more photo to show you how big the gate it could handle.

Do you know how much can get in KL include installation. Wiring will done by wiring contractor.

If you are seriously looking at a DCMOTO hybrid type system then consider CASA ASIA as well. Basically both adopt the same concept of having a rotating arm driven from a planetary gear system instead of having a screw gear design. CASA ASIA is an offshoot company from DCMOTO and they have developed a similar system to the DCMOTO system which they claim have improvements from the lessons learnt from the DCMOTO system.

In comparing both systems side-by-side I find the CASA ASIA mechanism to be quieter and overall smoother.

These 2 companies manufacture their products in Penang and general repairs within Klang valley takes a longer time unless the local vendor has spare parts stocked locally on their own account. Otherwise most arm gate vendors would have plenty of spare parts available as their systems are less specialise and they usually have a 1 for 1 exchange policy with their principal armgate manufacturer.


Pros and Cons of these hybrid planetary gear systems.

PROS
====
1. Neater and simpler installation as motor is hidden behind column and gate arm is relatively slender
2. Quieter operation from planetary gear system


CONS
=====
1. More complicated gear system.
2. Not a conventional system that can be maintained or repaired by just any autogate contractor
3. Spare parts only available directly from manufacturer or through their authorised resellers, as a result repair will take longer and and spare parts cost would pricing would be higher

Do you have any information photo or video can show us? May i know how much + installation?

This post has been edited by petlu28: Jun 17 2013, 01:21 PM

I'm not sure KL pricing is how much to be exact. Wiring can be done by the installer or you can engage a wiring contractor.

Well Planetary Gear system has been adopted by armgate system too. I've seen the internal gearbox of armgate and DCMoto, Casa Asia.

Only big difference is the gear size! Armgate tend to have smaller gear size/gearbox to fit inside an armgate due to the long screw driven arm.

DCMoto and Casa Asia uses vertical mount planetary gear system in which they have bigger gear size to withstand wear and tear usage.

Regarding the complex of gearbox spare parts is bunch of BULLSHIT! You can obtain spare parts to be replace or send back for warranty and repair like any other armgate system. Reason behind why armgate system employ 1 to 1 exchange because is a big hassle to dissemble to replace just a single part. Due to the compact size, you can imagine how cramp the internal system is.

Btw Armgate system mostly made in china and local assembly. China have mass-production of this motor system.

DCMoto and Casa Asia is made in Penang and local assembly. I've been to both manufacture factory and seen with my own eye.