ifm has introduced the SUC300, a clamp-on ultrasonic sensor for non-invasive flow measurement. It works without any intervention in the pipe, so you do not need to stop a running process to fit it. The sensor also detects the pipe wall thickness automatically, which supports accurate measurement.
Flow measurement without cutting the pipe
Flow is a key process variable in the process industry. However, adding a new sensor to an existing plant often means cutting into the pipe. The SUC300 avoids this step. You place the sensor on the pipe, attach the counterpart and tighten it in place. Because the pipework stays untouched, the sensor suits both permanent retrofits and temporary measuring points.
Automatic wall thickness detection
During commissioning, the sensor measures the real wall thickness of the pipe and uses it in the flow calculation. This matters because wall thickness directly affects the ultrasonic signal path. In older plants, pipe data is often incomplete, so the automatic function saves manual parameter work. It also accounts for deviations between nominal and actual wall thickness. An intelligent setup wizard then guides you through the installation step by step.
Key data at a glance
| Feature | SUC300 |
|---|---|
| Measuring principle | Clamp-on ultrasonic |
| Nominal sizes at launch | DN40 and DN50 (more variants in development) |
| Media | Water-based media |
| Pipe materials | Steel, stainless steel and plastics such as PVC |
| Connection | Standardized M12 connector |
| Outputs | IO-Link, analog, pulse, switching and diagnostic outputs |
| Housing | Stainless steel, IP67 and IP69 |
Typical applications
The SUC300 fits several tasks in industrial plants:
- Troubleshooting on running systems
- Verification of existing measuring points
- Mobile consumption analyses
- Permanent flow monitoring in existing installations
The IP67 and IP69 ratings also make it suitable for areas with demanding cleanliness and hygiene requirements. In addition, the IO-Link interface and the analog output ease integration into existing infrastructures.
Why it matters for engineers
For maintenance teams and integrators, the main benefit is speed. No pipe modification means no process interruption and less planning effort. Moreover, the wall thickness detection reduces guesswork when documentation is missing. Note that the first version covers water-based media in DN40 and DN50 only, so check your pipe size before planning.
ifm at SPS 2026
ifm shows the SUC300 at Smart Production Solutions (SPS) in Nuremberg from 24 to 26 November, in Hall 7A at Stand 302. During the fair, the company will give away ten sensors of this new type in a prize draw.
You can find more details on the official ifm SUC page. For the communication standard, see the IO-Link community. On our site, you can read more in the ifm news section and in our earlier report on ifm water flow measurement.