Fail-safe inductive sensors from ifm meet new Machinery Directive

Not only are they compliant with Performance Level d to ISO / EN 13849 the new GF and GG series from ifm electronic are also certified to IEC 62061 SILcl2 and comply with IEC61508 to SIL2, so no matter what your standard of choice, you are covered.

The GF and GG types from ifm electronic, in M12 and M18 housings respectively, are to all intents standard inductive sensors but will full internal diversity, redundancy and monitoring circuitry. Each has two solid-state outputs, or OSSD's, and will therefore connect to a suitable safety input (plc, relay etc.) in the same fashion as other, familiar safety devices.

Functional safety is maintained even when the device is connected as a three wire pnp sensor. Diagnostics in the sensor will react to internal or external faults dropping the signal out should anything untoward occur. This could be damage to the sensing element in the front of the device, or a cross fault in the wiring.

Despite classed as a safety device, the GF and GG series inductive sensors are cabled using standard M12 sockets on three or four-core cable. The monitoring removes the need for armoured cable.

For reliable sensing of moving parts on rotary indexing tables and machine tools; reliable triggering of slow travel or shut off for end position on presses, gantries and actuator arms; safe monitoring of robot movement; the GF or GG series inductive can be used where personnel safety is paramount, or simply where the integrity of the operation requires it. Fully sealed to IP67, harsh environments present no problem to these units, no danger of clogging or sticking, or an actuator breaking