01
Detect through non-magnetic material
Magnetic fields pass through materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, plastic and wood, enabling concealed or protected sensing.
ifm · Position sensing
ifm Magnetic Sensors
Detect magnets and magnetic fields without contact where long sensing distances or detection through non-magnetisable walls is useful. Current ifm magnetic sensors are available in full-metal, cylindrical and compact rectangular designs for industrial and mobile positioning tasks.
ContactlessThrough non-magnetic wallsLong sensing distanceFull-metal routesFast switching
Full-metalUp to 70 mmCurrent general-purpose guide
CylindricalUp to 100 mmM8 / M12 / M18 routes
RectangularUp to 60 mmCompact housing route
DetectionThrough wallsNon-magnetisable materials
Why magnetic sensing
Detect position without exposing the sensor directly to the moving target
02
More distance than typical inductive sensing
Current general-purpose magnetic designs provide sensing distances up to 100 mm depending on housing family.
03
Contactless position detection
There is no mechanical switch contact between target and sensor.
04
Full-metal options
Stainless full-metal designs are available for high mechanical stability and demanding mobile/industrial use.
Applications
Magnetic sensing with an integrated target magnet
01
Through a stainless or aluminium wall
Detect a magnet on the opposite side of a non-magnetisable housing without a penetration through the wall.
02
Shock / vibration exposed mechanisms
Use robust full-metal designs where machine vibration and environmental exposure are important.
03
Position or speed feedback
Magnetic target sensing can provide fast position pulses for moving mechanisms where the sensor/target geometry is suitable.
04
Rectangular sensor route
Use small rectangular housings where installation space is limited.
Magnetic field sensing
The target is a magnetic field—not simply a metal object
Magnetic sensors detect the field generated by a suitable permanent magnet. Because many structural materials are non-magnetisable, the field can pass through the machine wall while the sensor remains protected on the opposite side.
Target magnetThe magnet and its orientation are part of the sensing system and must be selected with the sensor.
Wall materialStainless steel, aluminium, plastic or wood can permit through-wall detection; ferromagnetic materials can alter the field.
RangeSensing distance changes with sensor family, magnet strength, geometry and mounting.
SwitchingOutput type and switching frequency are model-dependent.
Housing selection
Housing selection by range, environment and mounting space
| Current route | Published general-purpose range | Typical housing | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-metal sensors | Up to 70 mm | M12 / M18 stainless | Shock, vibration and harsh mobile/industrial environments |
| Cylindrical sensors | Up to 100 mm | M8 / M12 / M18 | Longest general-purpose range and conventional threaded mounting |
| Rectangular sensors | Up to 60 mm | Compact rectangular | Tight installation spaces and fast machine-position tasks |
M18 FULL METAL
MGS family
Representative full-metal magnetic sensor family for rugged position detection.
- Long magnetic sensing range
- Stainless housing route
- High switching frequency on applicable models
- Target magnet required
MAGNETIC SENSOR
MGT family
Current magnetic sensor route for position detection with a suitable magnet.
- Contactless sensing
- Detect through non-magnetisable walls
- Compact industrial integration
- Exact output/range model dependent
Important distinction
For pneumatic piston position, use the dedicated cylinder-sensor family
General magnetic sensors and cylinder sensors both respond to magnetic fields, but the mechanical integration is different. IFM cylinder sensors are designed for T-slot/cylinder profiles and detect the piston ring magnet through the cylinder wall.
01
Machine position
Use MGS/MGT/full-metal or rectangular magnetic sensors when a separate target magnet is integrated into the mechanism.
02
Pneumatic piston
Use dedicated cylinder sensors for piston end position or short-stroke continuous position.
03
Short-stroke diagnostics
Current IO-Link cylinder sensors can provide continuous position up to 50 mm plus stroke timing / cycle information on supported models.
Requirement capture
Inputs required to select the magnetic sensor
ApplicationWhat moving component or mechanism must be detected?
Target magnetExisting magnet size/strength or need for a matched target.
DistanceRequired sensor-to-magnet distance including any wall thickness.
Wall / materialStainless steel, aluminium, plastic, wood or ferromagnetic material.
HousingM8/M12/M18, rectangular or full-metal environmental requirement.
OutputPNP/NPN, NO/NC, switching frequency and connection requirements.