01
Moving machine parts
Safely confirm a metal component, slide or mechanism reaches the permitted position.
ifm · Safety technology
ifm Fail-Safe Inductive Sensors
Contactless safe position detection of suitable metal targets without a dedicated coded magnet or mechanical actuator. The sensor is one element of the safety function: controller, wiring, outputs, diagnostics and target geometry must still be designed and validated for the required PL/SIL.
Direct metal detectionNo special actuatorOSSD / dynamic pulse familiesFull-metal routesSafety function required
TargetStandard metalNo coded magnet required
OperationContactlessNo mechanical wear point
IntegrationSafe PLC / relayArchitecture depends on output family
CertificationModel dependentDo not copy PL/SIL between product variants
Safety applications
Direct safe metal detection in the machine architecture
Use the technology when the machine already presents a suitable metallic target and a separate coded actuator would add unnecessary mechanics.
02
Open / closed position
Monitor suitable metallic valve mechanisms where the safety function requires verified end position.
03
High-speed / service access
Current IFM examples include high-speed doors, lids and manholes where direct metal detection is suitable.
04
Travel limit
Detect a safe travel/end zone on suitable robot or handling axes as part of the complete safety design.
Safety sensing principle
The sensor evaluates a defined metal enable zone
The fail-safe inductive principle applies direct metal detection to a safety-rated sensor architecture. A dedicated magnet or coded target is not required. The exact enable zone, response time, outputs and achieved integrity differ by model.
Direct metal targetUse stainless or mild steel / other approved metal target geometry according to the model documentation.
Self-monitoringThe safety sensor electronics supervise the sensing behaviour and output architecture.
OSSD routesCurrent/legacy Gx70xS and Gx71xS architecture uses two PNP safety outputs.
Dynamic-pulse routesGx50xS families require the corresponding evaluation logic/software architecture.
Current selection
Separate rugged full-metal products from other safety-sensor architectures
The newest full-metal products are aimed at severe industrial/mobile and food/washdown environments. Other current/legacy families remain available for different enable zones and safety architectures.
| Route | Representative current models | Key verified facts | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-metal M12 | GF761S | Enable zone 0…1.5 mm; SIL 2; industrial/mobile full-metal route | Tight mounting, harsh environment |
| Full-metal M18 | GG761S | Enable zone 0…3.5 mm; SIL 2; industrial/mobile full-metal route | General robust position sensing |
| Full-metal M30 | GI761S | Enable zone 0…6 mm; SIL 2; industrial/mobile full-metal route | Larger enable zone |
| Food / washdown full-metal | Current stainless full-metal family | Current IFM product news specifies -25…100 °C and high protection for food/wet cleaning | Valves, lids, cold stores, hygienic machines |
| Other Gx70xS / Gx71xS | Model dependent | Two PNP/OSSD style architecture; exact SIL/PL/enable zone must be checked per order number | General safety position detection |
Do not generalise: one IFM fail-safe inductive family being SIL 2 or PL d/e does not establish the rating of another family—or the completed machine safety function.
Safety integration
The sensor must be connected to a suitable evaluation architecture
IFM currently positions these sensors for connection to safety PLCs, safe AS-i modules, safety relays and compatible safety bus systems depending on the product family.
TargetSuitable metal position
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SensorFail-safe inductive
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EvaluationSafety relay / safe PLC / safe I/O
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OutputSafe stop / inhibit function
Engineering selection
Verification before quotation
Direct metal detection removes the dedicated actuator, but it does not remove safety engineering.
Safety functionWhat hazardous motion must stop or be prevented?
Required PL / SILBased on risk assessment and complete architecture.
Target geometryMetal type, size, approach direction and enable zone.
Output familyOSSD/two-PNP versus dynamic-pulse architecture.
EnvironmentTemperature, washdown, coolant, vibration and mobile use.
EvaluationExisting safety PLC, relay, AS-i Safety or Safety over IO-Link architecture.