01
Extended / retracted
Traditional switching sensors confirm the two primary cylinder positions.
ifm · Cylinder sensors
ifm Cylinder Sensors
Detect pneumatic piston position directly through the non-magnetic cylinder wall. Choose T-slot or C-slot format, electrical connection, environment and whether simple end-position switching or continuous IO-Link position data is required.
T-slotC-slotIO-Link50 mm continuous positionMounting adapters
TargetPiston magnetSensed through cylinder wall
MountingT-slot / C-slotDirect top-loading installation
IO-Link range50 mmContinuous position for short-stroke cylinders
AdaptersMultiple profilesSmooth body, tie-rod and other cylinder types
Pneumatic position sensing
Cylinder sensors in the system architecture
Use them for end-position confirmation, short-stroke quality checks, cycle monitoring and machine diagnostics on cylinders with a suitable piston magnet.
02
Continuous position
Current IO-Link MK sensors can provide continuous piston position across cylinders up to 50 mm stroke.
03
Timing & counts
IO-Link variants expose stroke time and cycle counters for process and maintenance monitoring.
04
Weld / washdown
Dedicated variants address welding environments and high-pressure cleaning.
Magnetic principle
The piston magnet is detected through the cylinder body
The ring magnet on the piston produces a magnetic field that passes through non-magnetic cylinder walls such as aluminium, brass or stainless steel. The sensor reads that field without contact.
T-slotCommon industrial slot format with direct top-loading sensor installation.
C-slotCompact alternative for cylinders using C-profile grooves.
3D Hall IO-LinkCurrent smart sensors evaluate magnetic field position continuously, not only one switching point.
AdaptersMounting hardware extends T-slot sensors to smooth-body, tie-rod, dovetail and integrated profiles.
Current IO-Link routes
Select T-slot or C-slot first
Current MK59xx and MK58xx IO-Link families provide configurable outputs and digital position information.
| Route | Current models | Output | Connection examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-slot IO-Link | MK5904–MK5909 | 2× NO/NC selectable; PNP/NPN selectable | Prewired, M8 or M12 depending on model |
| C-slot IO-Link | MK5800–MK5804 | NO/NC selectable; PNP/NPN selectable | Prewired, M8 pigtail or M12 depending on model |
| Conventional T-slot | Broad MK family | PNP/NPN, NO/NC by model | Prewired and quick-disconnect versions |
| Special environment | Welding / washdown routes | Model dependent | Dedicated cable and housing variants |
Smart pneumatic sensing
IO-Link contribution
IO-Link turns a simple end-position switch into a source of continuous process and maintenance information.
01
Continuous piston value
Sub-millimetre process value across short-stroke cylinders supports inline position checks.
02
Stroke timer + cycle counter
Use cycle/time information to identify drift and schedule maintenance before expected cylinder-life limits.
03
Field strength + status
Current smart sensors expose device condition, magnetic field strength and internal diagnostic information.
Mechanical fit
Slot profile matters as much as the electronics
Do not quote a cylinder sensor until the slot or cylinder profile is known.
Slot typeT-slot, C-slot, tie-rod, smooth body, dovetail or integrated profile.
StrokeShort-stroke continuous monitoring or conventional end-position switching.
ConnectionPrewired, M8 or M12.
OutputPNP/NPN, NO/NC and IO-Link requirement.
EnvironmentWelding, washdown, oil, dust or normal machine area.
QuantityOne or two sensors per cylinder versus single smart sensor for both endpoints.