Process Position Sensors
OVERVIEW
IFM Efector Process and Position Sensors
Encoders
In many manufacturing and production processes, in mobile machines and in the area of renewable energies IFM Efector encoders have become established as reliable instruments to ensure precise positioning. They convert rotary movement into digital signals. Encoders use the wear-free photoelectric or magnetic detection. A pulse disc firmly attached to the shaft or a movable magnet carrier ensures this detection.
A distinction should made between incremental and absolute encoders.
- Incremental encoders generate a precisely defined number of pulses per revolution. They are a measure of the angular or linear distance moved.
- Absolute encoders provide an absolute numerical value for each angular position even over several revolutions.
- Compact and robust housing
- Designs to proven industrial standard
- Cable entry for axial and radial use
- Versions with integrated fieldbus interface
- Hollow shaft encoder for direct mounting on actuators
Inductive Sensors
Inductive sensors are nowadays indispensable for industrial applications. As compared to mechanical switches they offer almost ideal conditions: non-contact operation free from any wear and tear, high switching frequencies and accuracy. In addition, they are insensitive to vibration, dust and moisture. Inductive sensors detect all metals without contact.
- Wide operating temperature range
- High protection rating for the requirements of harsh industrial environments
- Reliable detection due to low sensor tolerances
- Reduced inventory due to wide range of applications
Magnetic sensors
Magnetic sensors are used for the detection of positions without contact or wear and tear. They are used where very long sensing ranges are required. Since magnetic fields penetrate all non-magnetizable materials, the sensors can detect magnets through walls made of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or wood.
- Reliable detection through non-magnetizable metals
- Cylindrical or rectangular types
- Small housings with very long sensing ranges
- High mechanical stability in case of shock or vibration
Photo-electric Sensors
Automation technology can no longer be imagined without photoelectric sensors as "artificial eyes". They are used where a reliable and non-contact detection of the exact position of objects is required. The material of the object to be detected is of no importance. Compared to inductive sensors, photoelectric sensors have a much greater sensing zone.
- Through-beam, Retro-reflective, and Diffuse-reflective sensor types available
- Visible red light for simple alignment
- Versions for the use in high pressure cleaning applications
- LED display to check operation, switching status and function
- Setting process saves time and cost during set-up
- Extensive range of system components for easy and secure mounting
Level sensors
Electronic level sensors monitor filling levels of liquids or bulk materials in containers, tanks and silos. Even critical process conditions such as emptying a hydraulic tank or the unintentional overspill of a tank are monitored using level sensors. The IFM Efector level sensor product range includes units for continuous level measurement or point level detection. Depending on the application, different measuring principles such as capacitive, guided wave radar or hydrostatic level measurement are offered. For non-contact level detection, photoelectric distance sensors or 3D camera systems can be used.
Build-up and wear often lead to failures, in particular if mechanical switches are in contact with the medium. The electronic IFM sensors can do without any mechanical parts or floats. This makes the sensors especially robust and reliable. Further advantages of electronic sensors are the local level indication and easy switch point setting via push-buttons.
- High reliability due to the elimination of mechanical components
- Different function principles: Guided wave radar, capacitive and hydrostatic
- Devices for limit level detection or continuous level measurement
- Clearly visible LED display
Flow sensors / flow meters
IFM Efector's product range of flow sensors / flow meters offer different measuring principles, materials, and displays to meet the requirements of different industrial manufacturing plant operations across the United States.
Commonly, manufacturing facilities rely on flow sensors to monitor varied types of media, from water, oils, and coolants, to gases like compressed air, argon, nitrogen, or other aggressive media. Electronic flow sensors can prevent damage or downtime caused by wear and tear of mechanical moving parts, offering a longer lifecycle than traditional sensors that have critical failure points. Their application areas range from simple monitoring tasks as an on/off switch to precise digital flow rate measurements.
Almost all IFM flow sensors have come equipped with IO-Link technology for close to a decade, allowing you to increase the amount of process data available to you and to log that data over time for trend analysis. This technology is truly plug and play for whenever you want to harness its power. Simply plug your sensor into IFM’s IO-Link masters and send your sensor data directly to your SCADA, MES, ERP, or CMMS systems for analysis through the IoT port without interfering with your existing PLC infrastructure. IO-Link is the foundation of the fourth industrial revolution, commonly referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), underlying concepts like predictive maintenance.
- For liquids and gases
- Versions for the use in high pressure cleaning applications
- Variable process connection using adapters
- Flow monitoring also for aggressive media
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