
In general the turnstiles are categorised as automatic & semi automatic but optical turnstiles are always automatic in nature. The automatic, also referred to as motorised optical turnstiles, operate automatically using servo or brushed or brushless DC motors. As soon as the credentials are recognised or identified the flaps or tripod arms of the turnstiles come into action.The selection of the optical or motorised turnstiles for the projects is based on project requirements like indoor or outdoor application. The card readers are fitted inside the turnstiles to make everything compact & provides a very aesthetic look.
Semi automatic & motorised optical turnstiles
Waist height turnstiles, sometimes called as half height turnstiles are robust in construction. Made on steel SUS304 or SUS316 etc. or any other metal with powder coating if needed. The arms are tripod type in nature revolving on the basis of every trigger from the control unit. The unit can use either electro-mechanical solenoid for operation making it an electro-mechanical type or the motor hence motorised tripod turnstile. The tripod turnstiles are of three types in terms of physical appearance, single stand, box type & wall mount type tripods turnstiles. Physically all three look different but technically the mechanism is the same. The applications may vary based on the project. The construction of each tripod turnstile includes metal arms, metal body & motor (in case of motorised) or relay (solenoid) in case of semi automatic type. There are different types of motors available and used in case of tripod turnstiles like brushless DC motor, brushed motor or servo motor. One must know the choice of using a motor of any of three types has a direct impact on the cost of the unit. The basic features considered for implementing the type of turnstiles for any project are drop arm functions (the fall of arm, in case of the power failure), persons per minute passage, indoor or outdoor application as the ingress protection rating of the housing plays a very important role. The card readers could be placed internally or externally based on the size of card reader as well as site requirements. The compactness, robust appearance, technical stability based on all metal types, the tripod turnstiles are used at places of high traffic like banks, government offices, museums, zoos etc.
Manual turnstiles | Semi Automatic Turnstiles | Motorised Optical Turnstiles |
Non electronic & non digital operation as the devices are operated manually. | These turnstiles use electromagnetic relay or solenoid for the operations to activate arms. | Also refered as the motorised optical turnstiles, motors activate the operation of wings. |
Optical turnstiles & gates
Every turnstile is part of an access control system. And when we use turnstiles to control the access of pedestrians then obviously it is an unmanned operation & needs to be properly controlled. As we use the optical turnstiles at office entrances, metro stations & other such locations, we need to have the guard over entry of the public to avoid misuse, abuse and other issues. As the gates are embedded with the access readers for paid & unpaid access. In all cases we need to combat tailgating etc. With the advancement of technology, the turnstiles are equipped with the IR sensors (Infrared sensors) called opto couplers ( sometimes as opto couplers), these sensors offer us the signals to enable audible & visual indicators to combat the possible intrusions or misuse. The types of sensors widely used in optical turnstile gates are anti tailgate sensors, waist height sensors and anti pinching sensors. Each sensor has its importance to secure the assets and site. Optical turnstiles include optical speed gates, optical sliding gates, optical flap barriers as all these gates are embedded with the Infrared sensors. The word optical in “optical turnstile gates” indicates the sensors that control the operation using optical communication, either the pair of IR sensors are connected or disconnected optically. The optical turnstile gates consist of three major parts motors ( can be servo motors, brushed or brushless DC motors), control panel & sensors connected to the control panel. The control panel has enough voltage free contacts that enables them to be integrated with the third party access control units. Mean cycle between failures (MCBF) for optical turnstile gates is the most important factor to decide the reliability & stability.
Motor types | IR Sensor types | Wing type | Voltage Free Contacts | Reliability note |
Servo motor | Waist height | Tempered glass | Integration with BMS | MCBF |
Brushed motor | Anti tail gate | Acrylic wing | Integration with fire | People per minute |
Brushless DC motor | Anti pinching | Retractable wing | Integration with ACP | IP rating |
Wing and Arms for Optical Turnstiles
The wings for the motorised optical turnstiles have different specifications. Mostly made of Tempered glass with thickness of 8-10mm, or acrylic & PU /PUR (polyurethane) material with Organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links.The transparent & translucent wings can be illuminated using the LED lights in different tones, green on entry & red when closed. The retractable wings help in providing the desired lane width up to 900~950mm compliant with ADA requirements. In motorised turnstiles, the arms are made of stainless steel with diameter of 1-1.5 inches as standard, and these arms are covered with the sleeves in most of the cases. The general width of the lane using the combination of left & right wings is 500-550mm for standard pedestrian passages while 900~950mm for ADA lanes. The wing colors, however, have no importance in terms of security but are available as black, red, blue or transparent or translucent. The LED direction indicators are provided embedded in the body of the unit to enhance the visual indications. The stylish look is a must as most of the optical turnstiles are installed at indoor locations hence should match interiors.
Card readers for turnstiles
The credential identification for cases of motorised optical turnstiles are not limited to the RFID card readers only but with the advent in technologies different methods of authentication are used. It can range from RFID readers, NFC (Near field contact) readers, Biometric face or finger detection units, QR ( Quick Response) code readers, bluetooth readers etc. Depends on what type of access is needed. The basic RFID readers of suitable size can be embedded in the optical turnstile gates at mentioned locations, where credentials can be shown and authenticated. In case the space is limited, external card reader posts can be integrated with the turnstile using simple data communication cables. The biometric readers have found very much importance in the identification methods, such readers are fixed using stands and can act as standalone or networked access control systems. Many biometric readers are with fingerprint, face, PIN and card readers built-in, thus ensuring the highest level of security. There is always enough space to embed the RFID readers inside the turnstiles, and in most cases, the core content of the RFID reader ( electronic circuit & antenna) is embedded.
RFID /NFC readers | The RFID/NFC readers of any type can be used with the optical turnstiles or tripods. The readers can either be embedded at the factory itself or the provisions can be created to fix the reader |
QR Readers | In general such readers are embedded for safety reason and is best option for visitor control management. |
Fingerprint reader | The readers are widely used to control the access and are embedded or mounted on the suface of turnstiles. |
Face identification reader | The face identication devices have found wider importance to act as readers for access control on turnstiles. The units are fixed over the surface of optical turnstile using an appropriate bracket. |
Card reader post | This is an external device, can be integrated with turnstile. The card reader posts are available as basic as well as with builtin access control panel and reader. |
Coin collector post | These units are used in case of locations where the pre-programed coints or curreny notes are used for entry and exit. These posts have the capcity to hold 100-500 coins in the chest. |
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