Inductive proximity switches are nowadays indispensable for industrial usage. 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.

Magnetic sensors are used for the detection of positions without contact or wear and tear in control technology. They are used where inductive proximity switches reach their limits. Since magnetic fields penetrate all non-magnetisable materials, the sensors can detect magnets through walls made of non-ferrous metal, stainless steel, aluminium, plastic or wood.

Capacitive sensors are used for the non-contact detection of any objects. In contrast to inductive sensors, which only detect metallic objects, capacitive sensors can also detect non-metallic materials. Typical applications are in the wood, paper, glass, plastic, food and chemical industries.

Here you will find the first electronic fail-safe sensors approved up to TÜV category 4, SIL 3 and PL e, which do not require a special counterpart but switch directly on the door or a stainless steel or mild steel target. They are wear-free and largely independent from mounting tolerances after a longer use of the doors.

Wherever motion of machine parts presents a danger to people or goods, safety light curtains or safety light grids are used. The protective equipment ensures that the outputs are switched off which results in a machine halt.

Non-contact sensors virtually work without wear and often achieve a longer life than Reed switches. This saves expensive repair and downtimes.

The range of available sensors covers position feedback on quarter-turn actuators, sensors with integrated connection for solenoid valves, sensors with AS-i bus connection and versions for hazardous areas as well as continuous position detection for linear valves.

Photoelectric sensors are used where safe and non-contact de-tection of the exact position of objects is required. The material of the objects to be detected is of no importance. Compared to proximity switches photoelectric sensors have a much higher sensing zone.

Laser systems are used where detection of small objects or precise positioning is required.
Due to the small angle of divergence long ranges of up to 60 metres can be achieved.

Fibre optics are used where mounting space for photoelectric standard sensors is confined. Advantages of these systems: The evaluation electronics and the optoelectronic components are located separately from the sensing surface of the system.
Fibre optic sensing heads can therefore be mounted in places where access is difficult.

Special tasks require special solutions. In addition to the standard photoelectric sensors and fibre optic systems ifm electronic offers special sensors for certain applications.

Colour detection systems are more reliable and powerful than the human eye because errors caused by tiring, subjective colour assessment and slow response times just don’t happen. The ifm colour sensors operate on the active method. The receiver is only looking for a reflection of the light from the transmitter, modified by the target object. Any light with different spectral composition from the transmitter is ignored. Therefore filtering on the receiver side is not necessary. Passive sensors which rely only on reflected light from the object are more affected by ambient changes.

Stand-alone unit with integrated lighting and evaluation in a robust, industrially compatible housing. The electronic eye for monitoring presence, completeness, position, quality control as well as sorting tasks.

Stand-alone unit with integrated lighting and evaluation in a robust, industrially compatible housing. The electronic eye for monitoring presence, completeness, position, quality control as well as sorting tasks.

Encoders use the wear-free photoelectric detection. A pulse disc firmly attached to the shaft ensures this detection.
By means of high pulse counts linear distances can be precisely resolved to just a few millimetres.

The complete product family includes analogue and digital pulse evaluation systems for speed, slip and direction monitoring, frequency-to-current converters, counters and digital displays as well as threshold relays and displays for analogue standard signals.

Switched-mode power supplies are state-of-the-art technology for supplying sensors and actuators with 24 V DC. With a power range from 30 to 960 W in one- and three-phase versions with wide-range inputs they are suited for applications world-wide.

The range of available sensors covers position feedback on quarter-turn actuators, sensors with integrated connection for solenoid valves, sensors with AS-i bus connection and versions for hazardous areas as well as continuous position detection for linear valves.

Level measurement distinguishes between direct measurement in the medium and the indirect detection from the outside (for example through the tank wall by means of capacitive sensors).
The electronic ifm sensors can do without any mechanical component. This makes the sensors especially robust and reliable. Regular maintenance and cleaning are not necessary.

To monitor gases and liquids, sensors operating to the calorimetric and ultrasonic principle are an excellent choice.
A wide range of designs adapted to applications and requirements is available. All systems are designed so that the signals can be directly transferred to the control system for further processing.

ifm offers a wide range of electronic vacuum sensors to meet the requirements of various industrial applications.
Various output functions and housing designs adapted to the area of application ensure an optimum integration into different processes.

ifm offers a wide range of electronic pressure and vacuum sensors to meet the requirements of various industrial applications.
Depending on the application, units with ceramic-capacitive measuring cells or units with stainless steel measuring cells with thick film DMS are available. Various output functions and housing designs adapted to the area of application ensure an optimum integration into different processes.

In automation and process technology, monitoring and control of temperatures is one of the most important measuring tasks. The correct temperature often influences quality and efficiency of the process. To avoid dangerous states, the temperature must be monitored in many applications.

Efector octavis is a simple to implement vibration monitorings system which detects vibration data and automatically determines the machine diagnosis directly on the machine. The machine condition is forwarded to the PLC or to SCADA systems. It fulfils the main requirements for modern machine monitoring: compatibility, modularity, and transferable configuration.

• Online vibration diagnosis – optimum price / performance ratio.
• Decentralised monitoring of plant and equipment integrated into the machine.
• Compact field units and modular control cabinet units.
• Digital and analogue alarm outputs.
• Standard data interface (OPC).
   

There are different ways to extend the AS-i cable. The specified one hundred metres can be extended up to 600 metres in extreme cases.

AS-i switched-mode power supplies are a necessary and essential part of an AS-interface network. They generate a regulated DC output voltage be-tween 29.5 V and 31.6 V according to the AS-i specification. All power supplies comply with the PELV requirements of EN 50178 and EN 60204.

AS-i controllers, gateways, masters and repeaters are elementary components of AS-i networks. These components are most of the time placed in the control cabinet and ensure data communication, extension and power supply of the connected slaves, sensors and actuators.

The earth fault / insulation monitoring device which can be installed in the existing AS-i system without any problems is available from ifm in two designs: The earth fault monitor uses a passive measuring procedure and measures the displacement voltage between phase conductors and plant ground (earth). The insulation monitoring device detects symmetrical as well as asymmetrical earth fault or insulation faults by means of an active measuring method.

There is a wide range of ifm control cabinet modules for AS-interface. Different input/output combinations with AS-i or external supply, with 25 or 50 mm width leave (almost) nothing more to be desired.

The ifm field modules are available in different versions for different applications. The ProcessLine for food and process automation with the protection rating IP69K, the CompactLine for robust applications and the ClassicLine for standard applications, both in IP67. Illuminated pushbutton modules complement the product range.

The safety monitors constitute the core of the AS-i Safety at Work concept. They monitor the safe communication on the bus and reliably switch off via positively driven relay contacts in case of a fault. Logic operators are available in version 2.0 with extended functions.

Depending on the version, ClassicLine field modules with safe inputs are suited for the connection of mechanical contacts, electronic sensors or light curtains. They can also be used up to control category 4 to EN954-1 or SIL3 to IEC61508. Using standard outputs, door guard locking systems can for example be controlled.

Depending on the version, ClassicLine field modules with safe inputs are suited for the connection of mechanical contacts, electronic sensors or light curtains. They can also be used up to control category 4 to EN954-1 or SIL3 to IEC61508. Using standard outputs, door guard locking systems can for example be controlled.

Here you will find the first electronic fail-safe switches approved up to TÜV category 4, which do not require a special counterpart but switch directly on the door or a stainless steel or mild steel target. They are wear-free and largely independent from mounting tolerances after a longer use of the doors.

The bus connection is already integrated in the intelligent AS-i sensors. So they can be directly connected to the yellow cable. In addition to the pure sensor information, further diagnostic data are available via the AS-interface, which can be transmitted and evaluated at a low cost. 

The AS-i AirBoxes are compact pneumatic valves, complemented by digital feedback inputs. They are integrated in a ClassicLine housing and are compatible in terms of space and mounting. The AS-i connection is carried out via the common flat cable or round cable lower parts. 3/2-way and 4/2-way valves are available. 

The valve controls for pneumatic quarter-turn actuators can be directly mounted to most quarter-turn actuators by means of the standardised mechanical interface. They contain two inductive sensors for position feedback, one or two outputs for the control of the pilot valve, and an AS-i slave. 

Decentralised motor starters can be flexibly used. They can control three-phase motors and have additional sensor inputs, e.g. for photoelectric sensors on a conveyor line. Special switch boxes for Movimot and Moviswitch drives make decentralised frequency inverters AS-i compatible.

The constant increase of the degree of automation in modern production plants is increasingly supported by identification systems. Their tasks include for example the control or release of production steps or the assignment of information about each product.

The extensive range of accessories for set-up, diagnosis and electrical installation ensures the success of AS-interface.

The ecomatmobile Basic control system has a modular design, is easy to install and to operate and is cost-optimised. Besides pure control functions it provides solutions for wiring and protection. In addition, a graphical visualisation module ensures the indication of system messages and simple display instruments.

The platform of the ecomatmobile control system: the powerful controller family.
Free programmability and the variety of configuration options enable use in a wide range of different applications. 

Decentralised I/O modules for use in CANopen bus systems. Considerably reduced wiring, they are mounted where the signals are generated.
The flexible configuration of the inputs and outputs enables universal use and reduces the costs for stockholding.  

Displays with graphics capabilities, free programming to IEC 61131 and various interfaces are features of the dialogue modules.
The convenient user interface for service and machine handling – the dialogue modules of the ecomatmobile control system.

Detection of diagnostic data – the basis for a powerful and low-cost remote maintenance and monitoring concept.
Reduced service costs and standstill times in cases of failure are essential advantages of this modern technology. 

Reliability warranty for mobile machines: Sensors for mobile applications, built to withstand high temperatures using sealing concepts that withstand even high-pressure cleaning, plus specially designed operating principles and mounting concepts  

The solution provider for special applications. Signal converter to adapt sensor and actuator signals to the inputs and outputs of the controller or CANopen modules. 

Especially for use in harsh applications where the products are continuously subjected to different kinds of stress caused by lubricants, grease, hydraulic and motor oils and at the same time have to withstand diverse climatic influences and high mechanical stress such as shock and vibration, the products of our ecomatmobile and tool series show excellent performance. 

Independent of the orientation and the number of codes, the high-performance algorithms automatically decode 1D or 2D codes. An optimisation mode allows additional settings to ensure reliable identification of each code. Automatic setting of the exposure time: The sensor characteristics and the segmented lighting can be adapted so that optimum results are achieved even with highly reflective metal surfaces. Complex application programming is no longer necessary due to code identification and comparison in the sensor.

s The constant increase of the degree of automation in modern production plants is increasingly supported by identification systems. Their tasks include for example the control or release of production steps or the assignment of information about each product. 

AS-i switched-mode power supplies are a necessary and essential part of an AS-interface network. They generate a regulated DC output voltage be-tween 29.5 V and 31.6 V according to the AS-i specification. All power supplies comply with the PELV requirements of EN 50178 and EN 60204.