Sensing solutions for plastics
March 2001
Sensors & Transducers
IFM Electronic produces a range of sensing products that meet the needs of users in the plastics industry. The products include capacitive and inductive proximity sensors, vacuum and pressure sensors, flow sensors, temperature sensors and optical sensors.
Sensing products from IFM make use of the latest technologies to achieve performance, offering benefits to the user. The capacitive sensors, for example, use a charge-balance system that provides immunity to electromagnetic interference while the vacuum and pressure sensors use a robust ceramic-cell sensing element that is accurate, stable and resistant to damage.
Available in flush and nonflush mounted versions; capacitive proximity sensors are good for monitoring the levels of plastic pellets and powders in hoppers while for valve position sensing, IFM inductive proximity sensors are a good choice. With no moving parts, these units are robust and reliable.
Type PN7 vacuum sensors are an economical and effective choice for monitoring vacuum levels in material handling conveying systems while solid-state pressure sensors in the IFM range provide an effective method of ensuring that the correct pressures are achieved in hydraulic clamps.
In the plastics industry, SI flow sensors find their principal application in monitoring the flow of cooling water to presses and similar equipment. In applications of this type, they are complemented by TR-series temperature sensors that make it easy to measure fluid temperatures. These are available with a wide range of mounting options.
IFM Electronic's extensive range of optical sensors now includes laser models that offer precision sensing over long ranges. These are useful for ensuring that components have been correctly ejected from moulds and for counting small parts. The range also includes high performance nonlaser sensors which are an economical choice for less demanding applications.
IFM Electronic is represented locally by Shorrock Automation.
[email protected]
www.shorrock.co.za
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