The real problem with GAL/Vantage is that they still make those old style mechanical link driven (harmonic) operators, such as MOVFR. They need to stop for many good reasons. All other companies have long stopped making harmonics. These reason are why most other countries have ban the use of such operators. I do agree that GAL makes good linear operators, like MONXT, which is very similar to a Fermator mechanically, but better built. The only drawback is that it's very new to the industry and may still have minor bugs.
Reasons why I absolutely hate mechanical operators:
1. The dangers of the gate switch. They can get inadvertently or intentionally pressed, compromising the safety system. Not all jurisdictions require DLM. Even with DLM, it can still be problematic. The lift could go out of service trapping people on upper floors who can't walk stairs, especially in high-rise apt buildings with only 2 lifts. The new-style linear ones have cabin door interlocks (no gate switch), making such situations impossible. Here's an ex. of what I'm talking about. Be glad this one had DLM.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEOkZDBCDiwBeing able to spit the door at floor level is also bad. Pranksters are capable of manually separating the doors compromising the lock system, or sticking feet in door at final end of close cycle. This can also happen if a spring or roller is weak and the door strikes an object. This scenario can be dangerous if jumpers are left behind and no DLM installed, or case a system shutdown w/DLM. Non-splitable doors resolve this. Ex.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ6Izd0TnRU Imagine if a jumper were on that hall lock. PS: The original idea behind splitable doors was, back in the day, there was more moving parts on the door panel, such as push-bar door retractor. With the Euro style, nothing is mounted on the door panel but the feet.
2. With the presence of interlocks, restrictors are no longer necessary. Harmonic operators do not support cab door interlocks and many types of restrictors can easily be disabled/bypassed by mechanics compromising passenger safety. Worse yet, those electronic restrictors like hatch-latch by Adams can fail in the locked position and are prone to sensor misalignment and dead batteries during power failure. These were responsible for many fatalities at WTC on 9/11, where Othis 6940 locks were used. For this reason, they could only be released from cab top. On new installs (especially all glass), no ugly expensive sheet metal is needed between floors.
3. During entrapment, Harmonic operators can become self-locking (operator can move the doors, but doors cannot move operator). This situation requires rescue workers to have to get on the cab top and spin the infamous wheels, this can be problematic in situations where the lift is on the top floor or in the case of a steep drop (i.e train station, garage). Linear door operators never become self-locking. Once interlock is released (can be done at floor or top), door can be manually opened from both floor level and cab top. Also, if lift stalls at floor level, no triangular or drop key is needed due to the spring loaded clutch. All you gotta do is push open the door. See examples below.
Self-locking ex. GAL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TnHnKU9EnQSelf-locking ex. MAC (0:36):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcdMfuUJprkLinear difference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyjQC7llJkE4. Use of Harmonic operators on full glass door panels is not only more expensive due to construction costs, but a fall hazard for mechanics. Operators propped up on pedestals pose fall hazards for workers due to a steep drop from the operator to the cab top. New-style linear operators eliminate this as clutch is mounted on roller header instead of doors. This also increases installation costs as more overhead is needed. Worse yet, big money has to be spent on ulgy tackly looking sheet metal between the floors. All this is solved by Euro style linears.
These are the main reasons OEM companies stopped producing harmonic operators. They don't want to get hit by lawsuits involving their lower safety record.
PS: At least Schindler is smart enough to use Fermator and Sematic. Fermator and Sematic are the "Energizer bunnies of door operators." They keep going and going and going. Those old harmonics from GAL, even when installed new, be falling apart after just a few months. Worse yet. Those crappy nylon roller requiring oil wipers suck and are noisy. The others use polyurethane.
