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Vacuum sensors and pressure sensors

 ifm's product range of vacuum sensors and pressure sensors offer different measuring principles, materials, and displays to meet the requirements of different industrial manufacturing plant operations across the United States. For pneumatic applications, ceramic-capacitive measuring cell is complemented by a stainless steel measuring cell with thin-film or thick-film wire strain gauges (series PK, PV, PT) and a piezoresistive measuring technique. ifm

Pressure sensors are resistant to dynamic pressure peaks and guarantee high overload resistance even in the case of extreme pressure peaks that occur for example with fast closing valves.  Electronic pressure 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 pressure rating measurements. 

Use the “Select By Application” tool to narrow your search for a pressure sensor based on media type, and read more about the underlying measuring principles and technology of a sensor group by accessing the orange “Learn More” button on the product group level.

IFM vacuum sensor and pressure sensor overviews

ifm’s vacuum sensors, pressure sensors, and pressure switches measure relative pressure. Sensors are equipped with a vent that measures atmospheric pressure. The electronics evaluate pressure or vacuum applied to the measuring cell.

With relative pressure sensors, when there is no system pressure or vacuum, the sensor registers 0. When pressure is applied, the sensor registers a positive pressure. When a vacuum is pulled, the sensor registers a negative pressure.

Typical units of measure for vacuum sensors in the US are inches of mercury (inHg) or pounds per square inch (psi). “Full vacuum” is considered to be -30 inHg or -14.5 psi.

Certain applications, usually for the pharmaceutical, medical, or aerospace industries require a space to be totally evacuated of contaminants. In these cases, a relative vacuum sensor is not repeatable enough. That's because atmospheric pressure changes with the weather and elevation.

Absolute pressure sensors are necessary for these types of applications and ifm does not manufacture absolute sensors.

Vacuum sensor applications

  • Vacuum sensors are also used in a wide variety of applications spanning almost all industries. Common applications include:
  • Grippers that lift and move objects require enough vacuum to ensure the objects are not dropped.
  • Palletizing and depalletizing applications in packaging areas of plants
  • Automobile windshield installation in assembly plants
  • Vacuum furnaces remove air from the heating chamber during operation and therefore prevents oxidation of metal parts which can affect the strength of the metal.
  • Pneumatic conveyors transport bulk solids to storage areas using vacuum drawn through piping systems.

Certain applications, usually for the pharmaceutical, medical, or aerospace industries require a space to be totally evacuated of contaminants.

In these cases, a relative vacuum sensor is not repeatable enough, since atmospheric pressure changes with the weather and elevation. Absolute pressure sensors are necessary for these types of applications and ifm does not manufacture absolute sensors.

Vacuum sensors from ifm: Key features

Most ifm pressure sensor families include sensors that measure vacuum. Some measure only vacuum pressure (‑14.5…0 psi) while others measure both negative and positive pressure. These are known as combination pressure sensors.

  • Pressure ranges: -14.5…8700 psi depending on the family
  • PX, PA, PV, and PM families are blind transmitters without display
  • PN, PI, and PE families have a digital display
  • PG family has a gauge display
  • Outputs include switching, analog, and IO-Link

IO-Link benefits of ifm vacuum sensors

Most ifm vacuum sensors have been IO-Link enabled for close to a decade, allowing you to increase the amount of process data available to you and to use that data for actionable insights to improve your machine availability.

This technology is plug-and-work with little or no coding required. Simply plug your sensor into an IO-Link master and send the vacuum values to your SCADA, MES, ERP, or CMMS systems for analysis through the IoT port.

This data transfer occurs simultaneously as your PLC is controlling your machine. 

  • Sensors and transmitters with integrated evaluation
  • Specially for the use in hygienic applications
  • Excellent overload protection and long-term stability
  • Measuring ranges of -1…600 bar
  • Variable process connection using adapters