The market for sensing solutions is undergoing significant change, and Balluff is helping to shape the new direction: Non-contact sensors are rugged and wear-free. They ensure optimal uptime of the machines, systems, devices and equipment. This is why these sensors continue to dominate the market.

Sensors are the sensory organs of modern machines. They provide the basis for highly complex control, regulation and automation processes. The integration of electronic intelligence in these environments is the challenge for today and the future. Another factor is the increasing intelligence of sensors: Even today they offer diagnostics capability, can be individually parameterized, and allow concepts such as controlling sensors to be realized. The variety of underlying sensing principles will continue to increase: Innovations such as magneto-inductive or magnetostrictive approaches will be used as the basis for new inductive, magnetic and optical based sensors as well as those using newly applied physical principles.

Sensors with Future - A look ahead

Technological advances in materials technology also play a significant role. Electronics and optics are refined for achieving better sensing ranges, accuracies, dynamics and resolution together with increased flexibility.

Miniaturization offers a constant challenge. Smaller and smaller sensors with ever better performance data are already available. The high level of electronic and mechanical integration provides the foundation for all future mechatronic approaches.

These challenges from the market are something we experience every day and learn from. Because we don't just sell products – we develop and produce them. And we do basic research to ensure that tomorrow's sensors can operate on principles that none of us have even conceived of yet. The demands you place on us drive this development forward.