The UB*-F42 sensor series from Pepperl+Fuchs combines the strengths of ultrasonic technology with comprehensive IO-Link communication. The rugged devices offer an unprecedented variety of advantages, functions, and adjustment options and are therefore designed to meet the challenges of a wide range of applications.
UB*-F42 Ultrasonic Sensor Highlights
Versatile in use due to a wide range of features, IP67 degree of protection, small dead bands, and universal measuring principle- High machine availability: integrated IO Link interface enables access to sensor parameters, diagnostic and process data
- Fault free operation: simple sensor synchronization when using several sensors in parallel
- Adjustable sound beam for optimal adaptation to the application without loss of range
- Front and sidelooker variants in a wide variety of sensing ranges enable easy integration even in tight installation conditions
One Sensor, Many Jobs (A True All-Rounder)
The UB*-F42 is built to handle the tasks you deal with every day: object detection, fill level monitoring, material consumption tracking, and travel monitoring. Whether you're managing a bulk material silo, controlling a truck wash exit gate, or tracking roll diameter on a sheet metal line, this sensor covers it.
That kind of versatility means you can standardize on a single device family and keep your spare parts inventory lean.
Ultrasound can detect solids just as reliably as it can detect liquid levels. Rising vapors in a container, tank, or silo do not affect the measurement. Measurements are also unaffected by dust and precipitation in open bulk material containers and pits. The sound beam detects both the horizontal level and the surface of the bulk material, which is often cone-shaped. The signal from the three-dimensional sensing range can be used to form a valid average. The principle of measurement is insensitive to weather conditions and the housing offers a high degree of protection, ensuring permanent and reliable detection even under challenging conditions.2
If a UB*-F42 sensor is fitted in a gateway or a parking area, it can detect vehicles passing through or parked in the area. The sensor can be parameterized to ensure reliable gate monitoring or presence detection. The contours, colors, and surface properties of the vehicle have as little impact on detection as tough ambient conditions.
At areas in the production process where rolls of material (e.g., paper, foils, sheet metal) are used, the sensor uses the reducing diameter of the roll to measure consumption. Additional control and measuring tasks can also be carried out using devices from the UB*-F42 series, such as sag monitoring during material feed processes.
IO-Link Makes It Smarter
The built-in IO-Link interface is where this sensor really earns its place in a modern facility. Beyond just passing along process values, it gives you direct access to diagnostic data — operating hours, temperature readings, and device status — all without interrupting production. That means predictive maintenance stops being a buzzword and starts being something you can actually plan around.
Designed for Tough Installs
P+F also addressed a common pain point: getting sensors into tight spaces. The sidelooker variant rotates the transducer 90° in the housing, so you're not fighting for room in confined mounting locations. The minimal dead band lets it measure at close range, and the IP67 rating keeps it running reliably in dusty or wet environments.
Running multiple sensors near each other? The UB*-F42 handles that too, with three built-in synchronization modes (common, multiplex, and externally triggered) that prevent interference between up to ten sensors — no extra parameterization required.
Ready to Put It to Work?
If you've been looking for a versatile, IIoT-ready ultrasonic sensor from a manufacturer you can count on, the UB*-F42 sensor series deserves a close look.
