ifm shock test
The purpose of the test is to expose the sensors to extreme shocks and vibration like the ones you can often find on machines.
The sensors are stressed as if a hammer were hitting an anvil. The ifm full metal housing sensors are screwed into a fixture repeatedly hitting a solid object The load on the sensors is approx. 1,000 g. For this test the sensors are mounted horizontally and vertically.
Result:
The ifm full metal sensors withstand a test lasting 1,000,000 cycles. This result qualifies them for applications requiring high impact and vibration resistance.
Flash video – ifm shock test (duration approx. 0:11 minutes, size 1,255 KB)
ifm impact test
This test simulates the harsh requirements in metal-processing applications.
A metal hammer hits and scratches the coated stainless steel sensing face. In the applications it is not only the front that is exposed to extreme mechanical stress but also the edge of the sensor. This demonstrates the potential life of the sensors as compared to conventional solutions.
Result:
Example M18 sensors: A sensor with plastic surface is defective after approx. 32,000 impacts. The sensor with full metal housing withstands a stress 15 times more often, approx. 500,000 impacts.
Flash video – ifm impact test (duration approx. 0:11 minutes, size 1,260 KB)
ifm wire-brush test
In some applications soiling due to weld slag is so intense that it can only be cleaned using a wire brush. This test simulates this stress.
Steel brushes are fixed on a rotating disc which scratch the front of the sensors. This way the sensor is constantly exposed to the stress and it is soon possible to give some information about the resistance.
Result:
After approx. 50,000 cycles the sensors with a plastic surface show first traces of wear. After more than one million cycles the ifm full metal sensor works reliably.
Flash video – ifm wire-brush test (duration approx. 0:08 minutes, size 966 KB) Watch the flash videos of some tests.
