Choosing the Right Sensor for Your Application Environment

Application environments vary between industry. A sensor that is considered reliable in the packaging industry may not be able to withstand the impacts in a welding application. And, a sensor that resists temperature extremes in food and beverage may be overkill for a conveying application. The key to sensor performance is to apply the appropriate sensor that is designed for its intended application. A one-sensor-fits-all-solution doesn't last. Applying a sensor specifically designed for its application environment does last. ifm engineers design sensors specifically for their application environment. To insure compatibility in demanding applications, ifm defined testing requirements that represent real-world plant floor conditions. These tests give customers the assurance that ifm sensors will provide long life-in-application and offer reliable performance.
Industrial Automation	Industrial Automation Applications Conveying • Material handling • Robotics • Assembly • Packaging Position sensors are a key component of industrial controls for position feedback on automation machines. These sensors far exceed shock and vibration tests developed for industrial automation.

		Shock test		Vibration test


	To validate resistance against high levels of shock and vibration. Sensors are repeatedly tested at a shock level of 500g.		Sensors are tested at a level of 40g with the oscillation frequency spanned between 0 and 2000 Hz.


Food and Beverage	Food and Beverage Applications Food processing • Brewing • Dairy Sensors used in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries are pressure-cleaned with caustic and acid solutions. The sensors represented by this icon are tested to perform in these conditions.

		IP69K high-pressure cleaning		Thermal shock test


	Sensors are exposed to a 1500-psi spray at a 4" distance. The 140° F water is sprayed in 30-second cleaning cycles.		Sensors are subjected to temperatures fluctuations between 0° C and 100° C in short time intervals.



Machine Tool	Machine Tool Applications Grinding • Deburring • Milling • CNC Machining • Broaching In machine tool applications, sensors are directly exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as synthetic coolants, oils and metal chips. ifm engineers have designed tests to verify ifm sensors will perform in the machine tool environment.
		High temperature coolant		1000-hour cycle test


	Sensors are completely submerged in industrial oils and coolants at a temperature of 176° F.		Sensors are subjected to temperature cycles between -30° C and 70° C to apply stress on the electronics and housing.



Metalforming	Metal Forming Stamping • Welding • Shearing • Roll Forming • Soldering ifm's metal forming sensors are designed and tested to provide reliable position detection in the toughest welding and stamping applications. ifm engineers developed an impact test and an abrasion test that simulate the extreme conditions in metal forming.
		Impact test		Abrasion test


	Sensors are hit twice every second by a 1 kg hammer. This represents the force of a large part being loaded in a cell.		Sensors are scoured with wire wheel brushes for 1 million passes to simulate the abrasive cleaning process.



Mobile Vehicles	Mobile Vehicles Lift Control • Transporting • Tilt and Inclination • Hydraulic Pressure Mobile vehicle sensors are designed for outdoor use. Sensors are exposed to temperature extremes, dirt, rain, chemicals and sunlight. To test their long-term performance, ifm engineers developed real-world tests to insure reliability.
		Severity level 5 salt spray		Temperature shock test


	Sensors are exposed to a 5% sodium chloride spray in 2-hour cycles for 4 continuous days.		To withstand outdoor temperature extremes, sensors are subjected to rapid high and low temperature cycles.

Using the right sensor for
an application environment
insures uptime and
reliable performance.