Non-contact radar level sensor

Sensors are the key to efficient and food-safe production. A market that ifm electronic has been serving for more than 30 years with sensors to map, among other things, the pressure, temperature, level, flow rate of liquids. Recently, it has expanded its range to include 80 GHz radar technology that makes contactless measurement of levels of tanks up to 10 m high, accurate to the mm, within reach. And that for the very competitive list price of just under 1,360 euros. Meet the LW2720 radar level sensor.

Tanks are found everywhere in the food industry, for storage, processes, mixing, CIP cleaning ... but not always easy to control. Because of their size, because of the presence inside of agitators, spray balls ... but also because of the possible properties of the medium, level measurement is no sinecure. Think for example of steam, high rising temperatures or an airy mousse where the presence of air bubbles can confuse sensors. This is why ifm electronic has a wide range of measurement principles to provide an answer to every challenge. The non-contact 80 GHz radar technology now adds a new measurement method to that palette. Field technical support engineering at ifm electronic David Hautecoeur: "80 GHz radar level sensors have a very small radiation angle. They proceed, as it were, with the precision of a laser beam to perform their measurements in tanks up to 10 m. Lightning fast, non-contact, without dead zones and extremely precise with an accuracy of 2 mm and a resolution of 1 mm. So food producers always know exactly how much is in the storage tank. And with a range of up to 10 m, the majority of tanks in the food sector qualify." 

Fully tailored to food industry needs

The 80 GHz technology has been around longer than today. Yet only now is ifm electronic coming to market with its first radar level sensor with this technology on board, the LW2720. "We have been working hard behind the scenes to develop a version that is specifically suited to all the challenges that a food environment can present while having the necessary homologations for the pharmaceutical industry. The LW2720 is therefore made of stainless steel, suitable for applications from -40 to 150 °C and available with protection rating IP68 or IP69K, which means it can go anywhere, including CIP/SIP applications. And of course, the integration of IO-Link was an important requirement for us. This makes these radar level sensors very easy to install, cabling, configure and replace," Hautecoeur adds. With the competitive price of just under 1,360 euros and the additional advantage of a complete range of available accessories and accessories specifically for the food industry (mounting adapters, clamps, milk couplings, varivents ...) ifm expects a lot from this level sensor. After all, the possibilities are numerous. "Precisely because it is not affected by interfering factors or fouling, it proves itself to be very accurate, stable and reliable. And thanks to IO-Link, level monitoring can easily be done remotely." 

Better than on paper

The LW2720 radar level sensor is now on the market. Anyone interested will discover that "close to you" is not an empty slogan at ifm. The team is happy to come on site to prove that the non-contact radar sensor can perfectly perform its tasks within the tolerances proposed by customers. "The first reactions are already promising," Hautecoeur says proudly. "Customers are letting us know that the results that the LW2720 are even slightly better than on paper. In addition to the ease of installation thanks to IO-Link, they are particularly impressed with the precision and reliability. These radar level sensors with 80 GHz technology perfectly visualize the level in storage tanks up to 10 m high, allowing customers to optimize their production processes."