The SA-600: Fully Concealed Centre-Hung Automation for Clean Architecture
In premium commercial architecture, the entrance must perform reliably without becoming the visual focus of the building. Architects and specifiers increasingly require automatic access, accessibility, security integration, and dependable daily operation without adding exposed hardware to the door assembly.
The Sigma Automatics SA-600 Series addresses this requirement with an overhead concealed, centre-hung, low-energy swing door operator. The operator is installed inside the architectural header, eliminating the exposed surface arm typically associated with automatic swing doors. The result will be a cleaner entrance with uninterrupted lines across the door and frame.
Designed and manufactured in Canada, the SA-600 will support demanding applications in courthouses, hotels, healthcare facilities, offices, institutional buildings, and premium commercial entrances.
WHY CENTRE-HUNG CONCEALED AUTOMATION MATTERS
A surface-mounted operator can affect the appearance of an otherwise refined entrance. The operator body and arm will remain visible above the door, creating a mechanical element that may conflict with the surrounding architectural language.
The SA-600 uses a centre-hung configuration that places the operating mechanism inside the header. No exposed surface arm will be installed on the face of the door. This approach will preserve:
Clean glass and frame sightlines
Consistent architectural detailing
A more integrated appearance at premium entrances
Greater flexibility for coordinated door and hardware selections
A less visually intrusive solution for public-facing spaces
The operator will remain accessible for service through the header assembly while remaining concealed during normal building operation. For architectural projects where every visible component must be intentional, this distinction will be significant.
SA-600 CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
The SA-600 Series will be specified according to the handing, door arrangement, material, and project requirements.
RIGHT-HAND AND LEFT-HAND MODELS
Two primary models will support project-specific handing:
SA600-R: Right-hand overhead concealed centre-hung operator
SA600-L: Left-hand overhead concealed centre-hung operator
The handing will need to be confirmed during design and submittal coordination. This information will affect the operator selection, door swing, frame preparation, and installation details.
Sigma will provide the appropriate cut sheet for the selected model:
SINGLE AND COORDINATED PAIRED OPENINGS
The SA-600 will be used for single-door applications and coordinated paired-opening solutions.
For a single opening, one operator will control one centre-hung door leaf. For a paired opening, the system will coordinate the movement of both leaves so the entrance will operate as a unified assembly. This will support wider openings and provide a consistent user experience in high-traffic public areas.
Paired-opening applications will require coordination of:
Door handing
Leaf dimensions
Opening sequence
Activation devices
Locking requirements
Header length and internal layout
Safety and accessibility requirements
Our team will review these details before shop drawings are approved.
DESIGNED AROUND THE ARCHITECTURAL HEADER
The SA-600 header section will measure 4 1/2 in x 4 1/2 in. Header lengths will be project-specific rather than limited to a single standard configuration. This will allow the system to be coordinated with the door width, sidelites, paired leaves, and surrounding framing.
Project-specific options will include:
Header length
Header finish
Bottom-plate configuration
Door material and attachment method
Operator handing
Single or paired opening arrangement
This flexibility will allow the header to align with the finish schedule and adjacent framing. The header will function as part of the architectural assembly rather than as an added mechanical enclosure.
Finish and bottom-plate requirements must be identified early. These details will affect fabrication, field installation, and the final appearance of the completed opening.
GLASS, WOOD, AND SPECIALTY DOOR APPLICATIONS
The SA-600 will support multiple door construction approaches when the correct hardware configuration is selected.
GLASS DOORS
A centre-hung patch-fitting option will be available for glass doors. This will support frameless or minimally framed entrance designs where the glass and hardware must remain visually controlled.
Glass-door coordination will need to address:
Glass thickness and type
Patch-fitting requirements
Centre pivot location
Header alignment
Safety glazing requirements
Door weight and dimensions
Locking and activation hardware
WOOD DOORS
For wood doors, the SA-600 will support offset arm and top-rail applications. These options will allow the operator to be coordinated with the door construction while maintaining the concealed overhead installation approach.
The appropriate configuration will depend on the door thickness, top-rail condition, swing direction, pivot geometry, and surrounding frame. These conditions must be confirmed before fabrication.
ACCESSIBILITY AND ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The SA-600 will provide a low-energy automatic swing-door solution for accessible commercial and institutional entrances. A 38 in clear opening will be available for an ADA application, subject to the complete door, frame, hardware, and approach conditions being coordinated correctly.
The key electrical specifications will include:
Power supply: 115 VAC, 60 Hz
Maximum power consumption: 100 W
Auxiliary output: 24 VDC, up to 1 A
Electric lock relay: MOSFET type
Motor: 1/4 HP, 16 VDC permanent-magnet silent motor
The auxiliary output will support compatible accessories such as locking and activation components within the specified electrical limits. The MOSFET electric lock relay will provide an integrated interface for approved electric locking applications.
All activation devices, safety devices, locks, and accessories must be reviewed as part of the complete door system. The operator selection alone will not establish compliance for the entire opening.
APPROVALS AND COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION
The SA600-L is approved by TUV SUD America Inc. and conforms to:
UL 325
ANSI/BHMA A156.19
CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 247
The applicable approval and compliance documentation must be included in the project submittal package. Architects, consultants, contractors, and installers should verify that the selected model and complete door assembly meet the requirements of the project jurisdiction and specifications.
For formal design coordination, our technical specifications and architects and specifiers resources will provide the starting point for submittals, cut sheets, and three-part specifications.
WHERE THE SA-600 WILL BE SPECIFIED
The SA-600 will be appropriate where both automatic access and architectural control are required, including:
Courthouses and government buildings
Hotels and hospitality entrances
Healthcare facilities
Corporate offices
Premium retail and commercial spaces
Institutional buildings
Interior glass partitions and controlled access points
High-visibility public entrances
These applications will benefit from a solution that combines concealed integration with practical electrical and hardware coordination. The system will support the operational requirements of the building without placing a prominent surface operator above the door.
QUALITY, PRICE, AND DELIVERY : ALL THREE
Concealed automation is often treated as a premium specification with extended lead times and high project costs. Sigma Automatics will take a different approach.
The SA-600 is manufactured in Canada, giving our team direct control over production, quality, configuration, and delivery coordination. North American manufacturing will allow us to provide the three factors that commercial projects traditionally have to compromise between:
Quality: Controlled manufacturing and dependable components
Price: Competitive costs without unnecessary distribution layers
Delivery: Faster response and lead-time control from a North American facility
For general contractors and door installers, this will simplify procurement and scheduling. For architects and owners, it will provide a concealed solution without requiring an automatic door package that exceeds the project budget or timeline.
PLAN THE SA-600 INTO THE PROJECT EARLY
The SA-600 will deliver the best result when it is coordinated before framing, glazing, electrical rough-in, and door fabrication are finalized.
Our recommended process will be:
Confirm the door type, dimensions, weight, swing, and clear opening.
Identify the handing as SA600-L or SA600-R.
Confirm whether the application is single or coordinated paired opening.
Select the appropriate glass patch-fitting, offset arm, or top-rail configuration.
Specify the header length, finish, and bottom-plate requirements.
Coordinate activation, safety, locking, and power requirements.
Review the project-specific configuration with Sigma Automatics.
Approve shop drawings before fabrication and installation.
The SA-600 Series cut sheets will support the initial design review. For a project-specific recommendation, contact Sigma Automatics with the door schedule, drawings, opening dimensions, finish requirements, and intended application.
Our team will review the configuration and prepare approved shop drawings so the concealed operator, header, door, hardware, and electrical requirements will be coordinated before the work reaches the field.