Sensors

Sensors built to answer a simple question: is something there? using whichever detection principle suits the target material, distance, and environment:

• Inductive sensors – non-contact detection of metallic objects via electromagnetic field damping; no mechanical wear, immune to dust and vibration.
• Photoelectric sensors – light-based detection through-beam, retro-reflective, or diffuse for metallic and non-metallic targets alike.
• Ultrasonic sensors – detect objects using reflected sound waves, effective on clear, reflective, or irregularly shaped targets that challenge optical sensors.
• Capacitive sensors – detect both metallic and non-metallic materials such as liquids, powders, and plastics by sensing changes in capacitance.
• Magnetic sensors – detect the presence of a magnetic field, commonly used for piston position sensing in pneumatic cylinders.
• Mechanical precision switches – contact-based limit switches for applications where a mechanical actuation point is preferred or required.

Distance Sensors

Where presence detection answers “is it there,” distance sensors answer “how far” or “how much”:

• Inductive sensors – short-range, high-precision distance measurement on metallic targets.
• Laser distance sensors – precise, longer-range distance measurement using laser triangulation or time-of-flight principles.
• Light section sensors – 2D profile measurement using a laser line, used for shape, height, and position inspection.
• Ultrasonic sensors – distance measurement on targets where optical methods struggle, such as transparent, reflective, or dusty conditions.
• Linear encoders without bearings – position measurement along a linear axis without the wear point a bearing introduces.
• Cable transducers – position and distance measurement via a spooled cable, suited to longer travel distances than a linear encoder alone.

Rotary Encoders

Speed, position, and angle feedback across every duty class, from standard industrial to explosion-protected and marine-rated:

• Absolute encoders – report a unique position value immediately on power-up, with no homing or reference run required.
• Incremental encoders – output pulse signals for speed and relative position feedback, requiring a reference travel at power-on.
• Incremental HeavyDuty encoders – built for continuous, harsh-environment operation with reinforced bearings and corrosion protection.
• Absolute HeavyDuty encoders – combine absolute position feedback with HeavyDuty mechanical construction for demanding industrial duty.
• Bearingless encoders – eliminate the bearing as a wear point entirely, suited to very high-speed or maintenance-sensitive applications.
• Magnetic rotary encoders – use magnetic sensing rather than optical, offering strong resistance to dust, oil, and vibration.
• Tachogenerators and resolvers – self-powered analog speed feedback tachogenerators and robust electromagnetic position feedback resolvers.
• Format alignment – sensing and feedback components used in print, packaging, and web-handling format/registration control.
• Speed switch – threshold-based speed monitoring for over-speed and under-speed protection.
• Inclination sensors – measure tilt angle relative to gravity, used in leveling, safety, and stabilization applications.
• Acceleration sensors – measure vibration and dynamic movement for condition monitoring and machine protection.

Signal Processing

Components that condition, convert, or process sensor signals before they reach a controller, supporting the presence detection and rotary encoder ranges above with the interface hardware needed to integrate them cleanly.

Process Instrumentation

Sensors and instruments for monitoring the physical process itself, not just machine motion:

• Filling level measurement – continuous or point-level sensing for tanks, silos, and hoppers.
• Electronic temperature – digital temperature sensors and transmitters for process monitoring and control.
• Mechanical temperature – dial and bimetal thermometers for direct visual temperature indication.
• Temperature switches – threshold-based switching output for temperature-triggered control or alarm functions.
• Electronic pressure – digital pressure sensors and transmitters for process and hydraulic/pneumatic monitoring.
• Mechanical pressure gauges – dial-indicating pressure gauges for direct visual reading.
• Pressure switches – threshold-based switching output for pressure-triggered control or alarm functions.
• Conductivity sensors – measure the electrical conductivity of liquids, commonly used for concentration or purity monitoring.
• Force and strain sensors – measure mechanical load, tension, or deformation in structural and process applications.
• Process displays – panel-mount displays for visualizing sensor and instrument readings on the plant floor.
• Counters – count events, parts, or cycles for production tracking and maintenance scheduling.

Identification and Image Processing

• Industrial cameras – machine vision cameras for inspection, measurement, and identification tasks on the production line.
• Vision sensors – simplified, application-ready vision systems for straightforward inspection and detection tasks without full custom vision programming.

Accessories

• Sensor accessories – mounting brackets, cables, connectors, and protective housings for the presence detection and process instrumentation ranges.
• Rotary encoder accessories – couplings, mounting flanges, and cables specific to encoder installation.
• Counter accessories – supporting hardware for counter installation and integration.
• Bus system AS-i – AS-Interface bus components for simplified, low-cost sensor networking.
• Industrial cameras/vision sensor accessories – lenses, lighting, mounts, and cabling for machine vision installations.

Applications

• Machine building and factory automation – presence detection and rotary encoders cover the majority of standard machine control feedback needs.

• Process plants – filling level, temperature, pressure, and conductivity instrumentation for monitoring and control loops.

• Quality inspection and identification – industrial cameras and vision sensors for part inspection, sorting, and traceability.

• Retrofits and maintenance stock – a single supplier covering the full Baumer range simplifies sourcing when standardizing spares across multiple sensor types.