Industry Valley
Industry Valley
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Fiber optic sensors are the ideal solution when installation space is limited. ifm is launching the new OCF series of fiber optic sensors for such applications. These sensors can be installed intuitively, have numerous smart functions thanks to IO-Link, and offer six powerful operating modes that the fiber optic amplifier automatically selects when needed.
The OCF fiber optic sensor sets a new standard for detecting small parts in confined spaces.
Fiber optic sensors operate on the same principle as conventional photoelectric sensors. However, in this case, the lens and evaluation electronics are spatially separated, which provides a significant advantage for many applications: Optical fibers can be precisely placed in very narrow spaces and can detect even very small parts there. The remote fiber optic sensor can then be mounted in a suitable location, for example, on a machine or even in a control cabinet.
The new OCF series of fiber optic sensors makes such applications particularly easy. Their slim bodies are suitable for mounting on DIN rails. They can be easily attached to the rails. Thanks to fiber locking, optical fibers can also be connected without tools. Since the OCF complies with the high IP65 protection class, it can be mounted on-site, for example, directly on the machine. During the development phase, ifm placed great emphasis on usability to ensure that subsequent installation is simple and intuitive. There are three buttons for operating the fiber optic sensor. The plain text display of the integrated OLED screen facilitates 2-point teach-in. With the Find-me function, localization is simplified thanks to the flashing fiber. The OCF has six different operating modes. The output signal can be sent to a higher-level control system via IO-Link or a fast digital output. The IO-Link interface is also used for diagnosing the fiber optic sensor. For example, the degree of contamination of the fiber can be monitored. This cleaning function enables predictive maintenance in the application. Along with the new fiber optic sensors, ifm offers a comprehensive range of compatible fiber optics in a wide variety of designs to ensure that the correct configuration can be selected for every application. Typical applications include confined spaces and use in high temperatures or chemically aggressive environments.
The OCF fiber optic sensor sets a new standard for detecting small parts in confined spaces.
Fiber optic sensors operate on the same principle as conventional photoelectric sensors. However, in this case, the lens and evaluation electronics are spatially separated, which provides a significant advantage for many applications: Optical fibers can be precisely placed in very narrow spaces and can detect even very small parts there. The remote fiber optic sensor can then be mounted in a suitable location, for example, on a machine or even in a control cabinet.
The new OCF series of fiber optic sensors makes such applications particularly easy. Their slim bodies are suitable for mounting on DIN rails. They can be easily attached to the rails. Thanks to fiber locking, optical fibers can also be connected without tools. Since the OCF complies with the high IP65 protection class, it can be mounted on-site, for example, directly on the machine. During the development phase, ifm placed great emphasis on usability to ensure that subsequent installation is simple and intuitive. There are three buttons for operating the fiber optic sensor. The plain text display of the integrated OLED screen facilitates 2-point teach-in. With the Find-me function, localization is simplified thanks to the flashing fiber. The OCF has six different operating modes. The output signal can be sent to a higher-level control system via IO-Link or a fast digital output. The IO-Link interface is also used for diagnosing the fiber optic sensor. For example, the degree of contamination of the fiber can be monitored. This cleaning function enables predictive maintenance in the application. Along with the new fiber optic sensors, ifm offers a comprehensive range of compatible fiber optics in a wide variety of designs to ensure that the correct configuration can be selected for every application. Typical applications include confined spaces and use in high temperatures or chemically aggressive environments.
