Sensors for the food industry

The challenge of perfection

Pepperl+Fuchs now manufactures sensors for the food industry that more than satisfy the demanding requirements for cleanliness and hygiene in this sector – in three different technologies. Ultrasonic, inductive and optical sensors.

All machines that process food have areas that pose different levels of contamination risk: the product-contact area, the splash area and the product-free area. Pepperl+Fuchs has categorized these areas into zones and assigned sensor properties to each zone. Zone A, B and C.

Zone A requires the highest standards of hygiene and so Pepperl+Fuchs has developed the UMC3000 ultrasonic sensor, which is the first proximity sensor that can detect objects directly.

The UMC3000 is manufactured entirely from FDA approved materials and designed according to EHEDG guidelines. IP69K protection for extreme thermal shocks is essential in harsh applications.

The MLE76 optical sensor is chemically resistant to cleaning agents and offers IP69K protection in spite of the tough ambient conditions in the food industry. The gap-free enclosure and extremely smooth stainless steel surface satisfy cleanliness requirements outlined in EHEDG guidelines.

Inductive sensors available in a 12 mm or 18 mm design fulfill all zone A requirements and can be used in the product-contact area without a second thought. Pepperl+Fuchs has developed a comprehensive, intelligent mounting concept for all 3 technologies, which fulfills all the cleanliness and gap requirements specified in EHEDG.

For splash areas in zone B, Pepperl+Fuchs has developed special sensors that are capable of withstanding vigorous cleaning processes, yet are just as easy to install as standard sensors. Food products that adhere to the sensors during the production process do no reach the packaging process and do not pose a risk of contamination as a result. Ease of cleaning is the key issue here, not extreme hygiene requirements. The standard installation concept reduces manufacturing costs of this sensor series considerably.

Ultrasonic metal face sensors

• Ultrasonic proximity sensor with metal face
• 200 mm…3000 mm sensing range
• Robust and impermeable IP68/IP69k design
• Housing material 1.4404 (V4A) / AISI 316L
• Smooth housing with surface roughness RA < 0.8
• Designed according to the EHEDG guidelines for hygienic design

Inductive metal face sensors

• Designed according to EHEDG guidelines
• V4A stainless steel solid metal housing (316L/1.4404)
• Designs with 12mm and 18mm smooth housing as well as thread versions
• High impermeability in hot and humid environments (IP68/69K)
• Temperature range -25 °C … +85 °C

Photoelectric sensors

• EHEDG certified
• V4A stainless steel enclosure (316L/1.4404)
• Tightly sealed and resistant to steam jets (IP69K)
• Designed for extreme thermal shocks
• Comprehensive gap-free mounting concept