Archive ifm electronic helps train the dairy engineers of tomorrow Power supplies made by ifm electronic ifm electronic has added the electronic ATEX cylinder sensor MK502A to its product range for use in hazardous areas. ifm electronic introduces a new line of M12 passive splitter boxes Inductive ring and tube sensors New absolute encoders with CANopen interface Pneumatic pressure switch New range of tiny photocells from ifm electronic Longer range safety light curtains from ifm electronic Ltd New 14mm resolution safety light curtains from ifm electronic Ltd Easy condition monitoring from ifm electronic Connectors for weld areas are now available from sensor market leader ifm electronic. ifm electronic launches new analogue AS-i field module New monitors for safety equipment on AS-i from ifm Ready-made AS-interface circuits for your product True 3D industrial camera sees three dimensions at once. An in-line flow meter for accurate feedback in critical flow applications, now in larger sizes Fail-safe inductive sensors from ifm meet new Machinery Directive Faster reaction from self-monitorign temperature switches Ultrasonic flow rate sensor in robust inline design All-steel pressure sensors now with enhanced sealing system Small and low cost pressure transmitter Compact and versatile capacitive sensors Reliable measurement of the smallest quantities at low cost New photocells for wet areas from ifm electronic Ltd Sensor specialist ifm electronic launches even more long range photocells Sensor specialist ifm electronic launches more long range photocells More proximity sensors with steel face Optical fork and angle sensors from ifm electronic New fibre-optic amplifier from ifm electronic Compact and powerful M18 photoelectric sensors. ifm electronic introduces safety light curtains to the latest standards Compact industrial sensor sees three dimensions at once. New from ifm electronic, the electronic manometer 2D and standard barcode reader and verifier from ifm electronic ATEX-approved hygienic pressure sensors for Profibus PA Excellent response from ifm’s self-contained temperature transducers Finally safe outputs are available for AS-i from ifm electronic ifm electronic's temperature sensors on IO-Link Inductive proximity switches with linear analogue signal More full-metal inductive sensors from ifm electronic New fast temperature probes from ifm electronic New high performance connectors from ifm electronic New miniature rectangular class 1 laser sensors from ifm New M18 Class 1 laser sensors from ifm electronic OSSD input module for AS-interface from ifm electronic Precise sensing for pneumatic cylinders TK temperature switch from ifm electronic with longer probe Valve feedback sensors from ifm electronic Ltd Best ever photoelectric sensors for wet areas ifm cuts cost electronic and complexity of RFID Latest profile AS-i masters from ifm electronic New compact photocells from ifm electronic Ltd New contrast sensor in popular housing style from ifm electronic New Class 1 laser sensors from ifm electronic New guided-wave radar sensor from ifm electronic New pressure sensor for pneumatics New sensor connector leads from ifm electronic New version of ifm’s optical distance sensor for level measurement
 
Safe as houses
 
 

 
 New generation of fail-safe inductive sensors works with standard safety relays


In response to demand, market leader ifm electronic recently satisifed a need for certified fail-safe inductive sensors that are safe to use up to Category 4 (EN954-1) or SIL 3 (EN61508). As many customer have already found, no longer is there any need to rely on mechanical devices alone in a safety application, especially when these are pushed to their limits in repetitve operations or wet areas.

Now the new GM7 series from ifm shows that the company is listening to its customers. Designed with two OSSD’s (output signal switching devices) built in, the new fail-safe series will work with conventional safety relays instead of a dedicated controller, and will of course still work with safety plc’s.

The GM7 series is a rectangular (40x40) type which senses a mild steel target between 10mm and 15mm. No special demands such as shielding, twisted wires or separate laying are placed on the industrial standard M12 connection. The sensor is simply connected to existing evaluation units, safety controllers and safe bus systems using a common unscreened 4-core cable.

To operate, the fail-safe switch from ifm electronic is connected to an external safety relay of a type suitable for devices such as light-guards, though it could equally be connected to a safety plc running approved software.

Functional safety is assured with the ifm electronic fail-safe inductive system; coil damage, component health, cross-monitoring, short-circuit protection – all aspects are continuously checked within the device itself. Any fault, at any time is instantly signalled.

All fail-safe inductive switches from ifm electronic are constructed with full redundant and diverse internal circuits, certified by the TÜV Rhineland, but otherwise has all the advantages of an inductive sensor: with no moving parts, IP67, standard M12 connector etc.

Now you may think an inductive sensor which needs no special target would be easy to defeat – but that would defeat the object of safety! The target may be nothing special, but its position in the right place at the right time is what counts. When the target is present, any other piece of metal between the switch and the target will cause the output to switch off. Setting the unit is not difficult either, because the LED helps in adjustment, while incorporating a delay to befuddle the fiddlers.


Please click for data sheet on Part Number GM701S