Industrial Factory Automation

Pepperl And Fuchs has designed a range of sensors for use in industrial and commercial vehicles. The e1 certification defined for mobile equipment specifies an interference immunity of 30V/m, but the sensors from Pepperl and Fuchs are designed to far exceed this at 100V/m. Additional protection is provided against shock and vibration, and cable strain is increased to prevent damage by any over-enthusiastic installation engineers. These sensors also have an extended operating temperature range and a high IP rating (IP69K), and are resistant to common chemical and corrosive substances such as salt spray (EN60068-2-52).

Analogue inductive proximity switches from IFM Electronic have longer sensing ranges and improved linearity. These proximity switches safely detect the tiniest changes in distance and provide a linear analogue signal - depending on the version - with a voltage output (0-10V) or current output (4-20mA). The switches feature a repeatability of less than two per cent and linear output characteristics better than three per cent of the final value of the measuring range over the whole operating range. The sensors are supplied in cylindrical M12, M18 and M30 designs. The enhanced operating range depending on housing size and mounting type can be 0.2mm to 2mm for flush-mountable M12, and 1mm to 26mm from the non-flush rectangular version. The response time of less than 10ms (type dependant) allows use of the sensors in processes that require fast control. The sensors have an operating temperature range of -25C to 80C.

The new additions to IFM Electronic's efector T series are probably the only all-stainless steel sensors with an operating temperature as high as 100C. FM Electronic has released inductive proximity sensors with housings made from stainless steel, including the sensing face. They suit the food industry, as they can be used in wet areas and survive aggressive cleaning and high temperatures The new additions to IFM Electronic's efector T series are probably the only all-stainless steel sensors with an operating temperature as high as 100C. The IFM devices suit true flush-mounting and normal spacing between sensors. Complemented by the IFM EVT range of M12 stainless steel food-grade connectors, these stainless steel sensors are available in M12, M18 and M30 versions with sensing ranges optimised on stainless steel targets of 3, 5 and 10mm respectively. These food-grade sensors carry IP ratings of both 68 and 69K.