Miniature Sensors

Inductive mini-sensors are ideal for position sensing in small compact applications. Balluff miniature sensors offer fully integrated electronics making external amplifiers unnecessary.

Their low weight of 0.7 g permits applications with extreme accelerations. Making them a great choice for high speed applications.

Balluff Inductive mini sensors are characterized by an optimum price/performance ratio. They are easy to install and can be fully integrated even in narrow assemblies such as linear slides, valves and actuators. As a result, position sensing is now possible where there was never before space for a sensor.

Inductive mini sensors are available in ultra-small diameters: including 3 mm though 6 mm.

Product features

• Ideal for compact applications
• Ultra - short housing
• Low weight (0.7 g) for extreme accelerations
• Stainless steel housing for rugged applications

Miniature photoelectric sensors from Balluff are the right choice if small parts need to be detected in limited space with precision and long ranges may be required. Miniature photoelectric sensors are available in self-amplified block or tubular housings or in Balluff's exclusive MICROmote remote amplified sensing heads. The remote versions use "wired fibers" that provide extreme flexibility with virtually no bending radii.

The remote amplifiers are available in several different versions including basic, advanced and premium.

These amplifiers and remote sensing heads make them a perfect technical alternative to conventional fiber optics.

All sensing modes are available including diffuse, background suppression, retro-reflective and through-beam. Also all light sources including red light, pin-point red light, laser and infrared to are available to solve the most challenging applications.

The features

• Block or tubular housings
• Self-contained or remote amplified
• Multiple sensing modes and light sources
• Easy set up and integration

Capacitive mini-sensors are the right choice for part detection in demanding environments where dust, reflections or the material properties and color of an object can influence other sensor technologies. They can monitor stack heights and detect solids and liquids with extreme precision. Granules or liquids can be detected through glass or plastic container walls up to 4 mm thick or in direct contact with the media.

Balluff's miniature capacitive sensors are available in a very compact height of 2.5 mm with a diameter of 10 mm enabling them to be easily mounted into space limited applications. Most sensors utilize stainless steel housings with Teflon sensing faces enabling them to withstand demanding applications. Remote mounted amplifiers with multiple control options and the ability to remote teach makes integration quick and easy.

The features

• Compact sensing head housings
• Remote amplifier for easy set up and integration
• Amplifier can provide analog output
• Detect objects regardless of material or color

Balluff offers ideal solutions for reliable and wear-free position detection for short-stroke cylinders and mini-grippers. Our mini-cylinder switches are especially short and are among the smallest on the market. They have a highly accurate switch point thereby guaranteeing maximum sensor precision, even over short switching distances.

Magnetic mini-cylinder sensors increase the functional reliability and improve machine availability. Electrically rugged, they feature short circuit protection, overload protection and reverse polarity protection. All are backed with Balluff's exclusive LIFETIME warranty.

Special designs for C- and T-slots, with slide in or drop in options.

The features

• Reliable, wear-free position detection
• Multiple slot size options
• Drop in and slide in options
• GMR technology

Balluff small housing ultrasonic sensors offer high resolution and accuracy providing reliable object detection and machine distance measurement.

For challenging measurement tasks, the small ultrasonic sensors can be upgraded with a focusing attachment. This allows measurements to be performed in bore holes with openings of 5mm or greater.

A short delay time and high switching frequency of 125 Hz for fast applications. For simultaneous operation, up to ten sensors can be synchronized making them a great solution for small assembly areas.

The features

• High resolution, high accuracy
• Optional focusing attachment for small part detection
• Discrete and analog output offerings
• Synchronization up to ten sensors
• Five operating scanning ranges

Inaccuracy and mechanical backlash have a negative effect on production quality. Direct measuring systems solve this problem. They detect the current position directly on the carriage or the load support.

Balluff's magnetically coded position and angle measurement systems can ensure precise positioning to eliminate positioning errors. Available in either linear or rotary configurations, the sensing tape and head are incredibly compact providing versatility in mounting. In addition, output signals are available as either incremental or absolute supporting high dynamic position or angle measurement tasks in real-time systems.

The features

• High system accuracy and resolution
• Can be mounted parallel or perpendicular to tape
• Tiny design in a robust metal housing
• Very accurate, up to ± 7 µm with resolutions down to 1 µm
• Very fast, speeds up to 20 m/sec

Balluff's identification products ensure that the correct information is transferred fast and accurately. Accurate information improves the efficiency of processes by eliminating costly mistakes and needless material movement.

Balluff's RFID products leads the way in identification with the largest variety of frequency options to provide the best and most reliable solution. These systems also provide the greatest choices of tag and read/write head options to choose from as well as Balluff's ability to provide customized solutions.

The features

• Compact data carrier
• Unbeatably small antenna designs space limited applications
• Fast data communication, high data security
• High flexibility

In addition to mini-sensors, compact assemblies require connection technology in compact and high-performance design. In this way the miniature design and flexibility of the mini-sensors truly be exploited.

Balluff offers efficient and cost-effective solutions in the form of mini-masters, space-saving passive junction blocks and small valve terminal connectors in IO-Link designs.

IO-Link reduces the work and expense associated with wiring, testing and hardware. With simple, unshielded and economical standard cables, you can install mini-sensors quickly and cost-effectively. Mini-sensors are also quickly and reliably configured through IO-Link connection technology via the controller.

Continuous diagnostics ensure that your systems operate reliably because they facilitate timely maintenance.

The features

• Efficient and economical
• Reduced work and expense associated with wiring, testing and hardware
• Fast and low-cost installation of mini-sensors
• Fast and reliable configuration via the controller
• Reliable system operation through continuous diagnostics

The inductive IO-Link coupler from Balluff in the compact 40x40 housing is ideal for robotics. It combines rapid format changes, freedom of wear and great flexibility.

Mechanical plug connections are rendered obsolete compared to inductive couplers because they transfer these signals without contact.

The IO-Link interface of the compact inductive coupler makes installation extremely simple.

The features

• Contact-free, absolutely reliable signal transfer
• No mechanical wear, thus maintenance free
• Best signal quality
• Rapid format changes
• Simple installation with IO-Link interface