Why the Motor Matters Just as Much as the Curtain in High‑Speed Doors
- Ellard
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
When people talk about high‑speed doors, the conversation often starts and ends with the curtain. Fabric weight, tear resistance, vision panels, colours. All important, yes. But focusing on the curtain alone misses the component that determines how well a high‑speed door performs day in, day out: the motor.
In reality, the motor is the brain and muscle of the system. It dictates speed, reliability, safety, energy performance, and long‑term operating cost. A premium curtain paired with a poor motor will always underperform. A well‑engineered motor, however, can elevate even a simple curtain into a high‑performing industrial solution.
This article explains why, and what installers, specifiers, and end users should really be looking for.
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Speed Isn’t Just About Fabric: It’s About Control
High‑speed doors exist for one reason: to open and close quickly and consistently. While lightweight curtains help, true speed comes from motor control.
The MTZ motors combine matched torque and RPM options to suit different door sizes and usage demands, including:
135rpm configurations for rapid cycle times on lighter doors (MTZ05)
90rpm options across the MTZ05, MTZ20, and MTZ30 ranges for controlled, repeatable movement under load
The MTZ High-speed motor delivers:
Rapid acceleration and deceleration via inverter control
Consistent opening speeds regardless of curtain weight
Smooth motion that reduces mechanical stress
Inferior motors often rely on crude start‑stop movement. This leads to jerky operation, slower cycle times, and unnecessary strain on the curtain, guides, and gearbox. Over time, this wear shows up as fraying edges, misalignment, and increased maintenance.
The right motor ensures the door moves exactly as intended, every cycle, every shift.
Reliability Lives in the Motor
In busy industrial environments, high‑speed doors may cycle hundreds or even thousands of times per day. Curtains don’t fail first, motors do.
A robust high‑speed door motor is designed for:
High duty cycles
Continuous operation
Thermal protection and intelligent fault handling
Ellard’s MTZ motors are engineered with a 45% duty cycle as standard, with higher‑duty variants available for particularly high cycle rates. This ensures stable performance across:
High‑traffic logistics doors
Manufacturing environments with constant movement
Sites where downtime directly impacts productivity
Additional reliability features built into MTZ motors include:
Thermal protection in the motor winding, preventing overheating
Optional working current brake variants for controlled stopping
Cheap or under‑specified motors overheat, drift out of limit, or require frequent resets. Each failure creates downtime, disrupts operations, and increases service costs.
From a total cost of ownership perspective, the motor and its duty rating are the single biggest determinant of whether a door is an asset or a liability.
Safety Is Engineered, Not Sewn
Curtains contribute to visibility and impact resistance, but motor intelligence is what truly protects people and equipment.
The MTZ motors are paired with the CS320 inverter control panel, allowing precise control of torque and speed, essential for predictable, safe movement in high‑traffic environments.
This enables:
Soft start and soft stop profiles that reduce sudden forces
Controlled torque output across 40Nm to 250Nm, matched to door size and weight
Rapid and reliable reaction to safety devices such as edges, photocells, and radar sensors
Without accurate motor control, even the best safety devices become less effective. A motor that can’t react quickly or predictably introduces risk, especially in environments with pedestrians, forklifts, or automated vehicles.
Energy Efficiency Starts at the Drive
High‑speed doors are often specified to reduce heat loss, control airflow, and improve environmental separation. Again, the motor plays the starring role.
The MTZ motors support energy efficiency through:
Faster open and close cycles enabled by matched RPM and torque
Inverter‑driven control that avoids over‑running or unnecessary open time
Stable performance that prevents partial openings or repeated cycles
With power ratings ranging from 0.75kW to 3kW, MTZ motors are sized to deliver the required performance without excessive energy draw, ensuring efficiency without compromising speed or reliability.
The result? Lower energy loss, more stable internal temperatures, and reduced strain on heating or cooling systems.
In contrast, a sluggish or unreliable motor negates the very efficiency gains the curtain was chosen for in the first place.
Installation and Servicing: Where Motors Make Life Easier
From an installer’s perspective, the motor often determines how straightforward a job will be.
The MTZ motors are designed as compact, direct‑mount operators, making them easier to handle, align, and commission on site. Combined with pre‑wiring to the CS320 inverter control panel, this significantly reduces installation time.
Installers benefit from:
Direct‑mount design with fewer components
Faster mechanical installation
Electronic limits and inverter diagnostics
Reduced commissioning and call‑backs
With IP54 protection across the MTZ range and wear‑free safety components, ongoing servicing requirements are minimised.
Over the lifetime of the door, service engineers spend far more time interacting with the motor than the curtain. Smarter design, integrated protection, and simpler access translate directly into lower service costs and improved uptime.
Ellard High‑Speed Door Motor Range: Performance by Design
The principles above aren’t theoretical; they’re exactly what the MTZ high‑speed door motor range is engineered to deliver. Curtain material may define appearance and impact resistance, but the motor defines how the door behaves.
When you choose the right motor, torque, speed, control, and duty matched to the application, the curtain can do its job properly.
Because in high‑speed doors, performance doesn’t start with fabric. It starts with the motor.
Ready to spec your next order? Get in touch at sales@ellard.co.uk
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