This section provides an overview for proximity switch as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 46 proximity switch manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked proximity switch companies as of November, 2024: 1.steute Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, 2.C&K Components, Inc., 3.Zhejiang Wuce Electric Co., Ltd..
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Engaged in research on nitride semiconductor growth using the MBE method at Waseda University Graduate School. After graduating from graduate school in 2016, he joined a non-ferrous metal manufacturer.
Engaged in equipment maintenance and engineering work at metal smelting plants. Moved to a chemical manufacturer in 2022. Engaging in similar tasks.
A proximity switch is a non-contact switch that can detect the proximity of a metallic object.
It detects the proximity of a metallic object using electromagnetic induction, etc., and outputs as a contact point. There are various lineups of power supply requirements and contact configurations required for proximity switches, and they must be selected according to the situation.
Proximity switches are used in factories and other equipment to detect the drive status of machines. Specific uses of proximity switches are as follows:
Machine operation is detected at the above locations and alarms are issued or sequence control is implemented. In recent years, waterproof and heat-resistant products are also available. Since the machine status can be easily detected by attaching a piece of iron, etc., they are often used for large equipment in the iron and steel industry.
There are various types of proximity switches, but inductive proximity switches are the most commonly used. Inductive proximity switches consist of an electromagnetic coil, an oscillator circuit, and a casing.
An electromagnetic coil is a component that generates an induced current in an approaching metal. The electromagnetic coil always outputs a high-frequency magnetic field, and electromagnetic induction is generated when a metal object such as a piece of iron comes close to it. This electromagnetic induction generates an induced current in the metallic object.
The oscillation circuit is a component that feeds back the power output by the electromagnetic coil. The induced current generated inside a metallic object is converted to heat within the metal, resulting in a power loss. The oscillation circuit detects this power loss and sends it to the output circuit. The transmitter circuit and output circuit are configured on the same board, and the output circuit outputs the power as a contact signal to the outside.
The casing is the outer frame that protects these circuit components. The casing is often threaded and secured to the mechanical device with a locknut. The casing is usually filled with resin to insulate the casing from the circuit components.
When using proximity switches, the mounting position must be determined. Proximity switches are non-contacting and output a contact point when they detect the proximity of a metal or other contact object. Positioning of proximity switches means adjusting the proximity distance to the object to be contacted by adjusting the position of the proximity switch.
Proximity switches have a fixed detection distance according to their specifications. The proximity switch output operates when the object to be detected enters this detection range. If the proximity switch is too far away, it will not operate, so it is necessary to determine the proper distance by adjusting the position of the proximity switch.
Products are also available that indicate the response of the proximity switch by emitting LED light. Such products are convenient for positioning because the output operation can be visually observed at close range. It should be noted, however, that the LED emission pattern differs depending on the product. Some products emit light even in locations that are within the detection range but not yet in the output operation range. Such products often emit multiple colors.
For example, there are products that emit orange when the detected object is in the detection range and green when the detected object is brought even closer to the proximity switch for output operation. Therefore, it is important to read the instruction manual of the product to be used carefully .
When a proximity switch malfunctions, a failure of the proximity switch is suspected. There are many possible reasons for the failure, but the two most common causes are as follows:
Power Failure
Check that the power supply to the proximity switch is correct using a tester or similar device. If there is no power supply, the cause is the loss of power. If the power circuit or grounding is not correct, there will be no signal output even if the object is to be detected approaches. In this case, disconnection of the power circuit or ground wire or failure of the power supply unit is suspected.
Misalignment of Proximity Switch
Misalignment of the mounting position may also be a cause. If misalignment causes the switch to move away from the detection range, it can be restored by adjusting the position. However, if the object to be detected comes too close and contacts the proximity switch, the proximity switch may be damaged physically .
If physical damage is the cause, the proximity switch must be replaced. Other possible causes of proximity switch failure include noise and overvoltage.
Proximity switches are mainly used to detect metallic objects. The reason is that they use electromagnetic induction as their operating principle. In order to generate electromagnetic induction, the piece of iron to be detected must be conductive.
However, in recent years, inductive proximity switches have been developed that can sensitively detect even metals that are not conductive.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Comus International, a company founded in 1978 and headquartered in New Jersey, United States, is a manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical products. The company offers a wide range of products that include proximity sensors, tilt and tip-over switches, and solid-state relays. These products are used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation for applications such as motion sensing, position detection, and safety control systems. The company also offers customer services that include technical support and assistance to meet customers’ requirements.
C&K is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and was established in 1928 as a manufacturer of electromechanical switches. The company designs various Push buttons, Toggles, Navigational, Slides, and Rotary switches, along with Smart Card Connectors that are used in vending machines, digital satellite receivers, and other equipment. C&K switches serve a huge market of consumer electronics, transportation, aerospace, and medical to name a few. The High Reliability connectors are also produced to cope with applications that have extreme operating conditions such as space, military, automotive, etc
Yaskawa America, Inc. - Drives & Motion Division, founded in 1967 and located in Waukegan, Illinois, is a manufacturer of AC inverter drives, servo and motion control, and robotic automation systems. They offer a range of products that include industrial AC drives, HVAC drives, machine controllers, gear motors, and articulated robots. Yaskawa's products are used for precise control, automation, and motion capabilities, enhancing efficiency and productivity in diverse manufacturing, industrial, and automation processes. These applications include factory automation, CNC machining, material handling, packaging machinery, and HVAC systems. The company is also ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Haws, founded in 1909 and based in Nevada, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of drinking fountains and bottle fillers. The company provides electric water coolers, emergency eye/ face wash stations, combination shower and eye/face wash, touchless hydration systems, wall-mounted fountains, and tempered water systems. It also offers free shipping of replacement parts and preservatives directly from the warehouse. Haws is an ISO 9001-certified company that provides these solutions at outdoor and indoor government and municipal offices, labs, schools, and universities.
GlobalSpec, based in NY, United States, is an online destination for engineers, delivering the single source for critical engineering content, information, insight, and community for engineers and technical professionals across multiple industries and disciplines. The company's website offers information comprised of news and analysis, products and suppliers, standards directory, and reference library – a gateway to more than 95 million engineering documents, including technical articles, reports, patents, and e-books, and more. They connect industrial marketers with their target audience of engineering and technical, professionals – generating awareness, demand and engagement opportunities at all stages of the buy cycle.
SAI TECH CONTROL, established in 2005, is an Indian manufacturer and supplier based in Pune, Maharashtra, specializing in flow measuring instruments. The company offers an extensive range of products, including capacitive, inductive, optical, and magnetic proximity switches, along with diesel generator (DC) battery chargers, electromagnetic coils, electromagnetic vibrator controllers, and switching mode power supplies (SMPS). Additionally, the company provides digital counters, digital revolutions per minute (RPM) indicators, digital timers, alarm annunciators, and temperature sensors. Its offerings also extend to level sensors and rotary encoders. These products are utilized across diverse industries such as the automobile, chemical, food processing, packaging, and pharmaceutical sectors.
YUEQING YUMO ELECTRIC CO.,LTD, founded in Zhejiang, China, in 2004 is a manufacturer of industrial automation control products. The company's product portfolio includes Programmable Logic Controller, Human Machine Interface, Photoelectric Switch, Proximity Switch, and Switching power supply. Their products find application in textile machinery Machinery, packaging machinery, wind power generation, and industrial assembly automation control field. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation.
Zhejiang Wuce Electric Co., Ltd. founded in Yueqing, Zhejiang, China, is a manufacturer of push buttons and industrial remote control stations. Products offered by the company are XAC pendant control stations, indicator lamps, buzzers, and selector push buttons. Its crane push button with emergency stop has a rubber cable jacket and waterproof seal that is suitable for the open-air environment of circuit control systems like cranes. The company’s products are certified by PSE, CCC, and CE and it has over 50 patents.
DiWi Enterprise Co., Ltd., established in 2001 with headquarters in Taiwan, is a manufacturer of electronic switches and related electronics. The company's product line includes floating switches, magnetic level switches, liquid level switches, liquid level transmitters, and PID controllers used in various industrial devices, tanks, and containers to manage, maintain, and record liquid levels. The company serves many OEM and ODM manufacturers in industries including automotive, shipping, logistics, and material handling, among many others.
Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd., established in 2008, the company is a result of a merger between Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems and the Japanese arm of Schneider Electric S.A., the second largest manufacturer in the same field, is a manufacturer of control instruments, such as electromagnetic switches that use electromagnets to open and close the contact points of electrical circuits. The company have a global presence, offering many power-receiving and distributing devices that can be used in cross-border markets through its wide range of products that conform to major standards in the world.
The Azbil Corporation (formerly the Yamatak Corporation) aims to realize safety, comfort, and fulfillment in people's lives and contribute to global environmental preservation through "human-centered" automation. They provide their customers with timely solutions via an integrated structure that extends from planning and development to maintenance and service, capable of responding rapidly to customer needs.
YUEQING WINSTON ELECTRIC CO.,LTD founded in Yueqing, Zhejiang, China, in 2010, is a manufacturer of low and high-voltage electrical products. The company’s product portfolio includes proximity sensors, switching power supplies, thermostats, frequency inverters, and circuit breakers. Its proximity sensors are devices that use ultrasonic waves for object detection and position sensing. It is an ISO9001:2008 and EU RoHS environmental directives certified company. The company also provides customized solutions to its customers. It is a partner of Sibratec, FANI, and Cartesy.
Sai Control System, established in 1997, headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, is a manufacturer of industrial automation and control products. The product range includes PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) systems, HMI (Human-Machine Interface) panels, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, proximity sensors, and customized automation products. These products offer efficient process control, increased productivity, and real-time monitoring for industrial applications. The benefits include improved production quality, reduced downtime, and enhanced operational efficiency. The company serves industries such as manufacturing, process control, energy, and pharmaceuticals, providing essential automation solutions that optimize production, ensure precise control, and result in cost-effective and optimal operations.
CHEEMI TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED is a manufacturer based in China, specializing in cutting-edge technological solutions. The company's wide range of products includes sensors, transducers, switches, and transmitters. These products are used in various fields such as in vehicles, OEM device manufacturing, measuring apparatus, home appliances, and many more. The company also has a well-established partnership with renowned Universities like Tsinghua University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing Institute of Technology among other universities and research institutes.
Geya is an electrical equipment manufacturer established in China in 2007. It produces electrical control devices, low voltage protection devices, solar energy equipment, and circuit breaker SKDs in compliance with CE, UL, and other international certification standards. The company's ISO 9001-certified factory has a production capacity of over 100,000 parts per month, it offers OEM and ODM services for the development of custom solutions, and it exports to over 30 countries.
Zhejiang Hugong Automation Technology Co., Ltd., founded in Zhejiang Province, China, is a manufacturer of inductive proximity switches since 1986. The company's product portfolio includes Long Distance Proximity Sensors used to detect the presence of metallic objects without physical contact, Din Rail Switching Power Supply, Terminal Block, Digital Temperature Controllers, and Pressure Transmitters. The company serves industries such as Oil and Gas, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Construction, and Power Generation.
steute Technologies GmbH & Co. KG founded in Löhne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 1961, is a manufacturer of electrical sensors and control units. The company manufactures foot switches, optical sensors, magnetic sensors, command devices, and wireless receivers. It has subsidiaries in 11 countries around the world, and sales and service partners in a further 30. At the end of 2012, the company opened a production plant in Shanghai, China and it also employs 450 people worldwide.
TR Electronic, established in 1984 in Trossingen, Germany, is a manufacturer of encoders and industrial automation equipment. The company specializes in absolute encoders, sensors, measuring technology, monitoring, and control systems, as well as machine lighting solutions. The product range includes several optimal-precision encoders and sensors for accurate position and measurement data. These devices offer stability, durability, and optimum-resolution output, making them essential components in manufacturing, automation, robotics, and automotive. The monitoring and control systems result in process optimization and efficiency.
Schmersal GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 1945, by Heinz and Philip Schmersal, is a name in safety technology, is a manufacturer of safety technology solutions, specializing in switchgear and control devices for various industries. With a diverse range of mechanical and electro-sensitive switching devices, they offer an extensive collection of safety switching systems and devices for safeguarding both humans and machinery. The company looks after three key domains: lift technology, automation technology, and safety technology. Their substantial approach position them as a global supplier of safety switching devices, catering to the safety and automation needs of various industries.
Uticor, established in 1968 and headquartered in Iowa, USA, is a manufacturer of PLCs, welding controls, and operator interface technology. The company's products include tough panels, industrial PCs, and an andon LCD industrial display. It employs halt and hass testing for product reliability and manufacturing control. Its tough panels are used for rugged human-machine interface applications, and marquees, including PMD displays and andon LCD industrial displays, serve as visual communication tools in industrial settings. Its uwin SCADA system is used for supervisory control and data acquisition. The company's products are used in automotive electronics, coal mining, and food processing industries.
Baumer Electric AG was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in the city of Frauenfeld, Switzerland. The ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company provides sensor solutions for digitalization, packaging, railway, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. A sample of the company’s sensor product listings includes object detection, distance measurement, force sensors, accessories, and connectivity devices. The company offers product support for setup and installation, product functionality, and optimized product usage.
Celduc Inc. through Celduc Transfo was founded in 1960 as a manufacturer of transformers. Celduc Inc. is based in, France. Celduc Inc. was officially created in 2020 and headquartered in Centerport, New York. Celduc creates electronics and customized products for industries including railway, plastic, packaging, medical, and electronics. Celduc’s main product lines include solid state relays, magnetic proximity sensors, reed relays & switches, and customized products. Customized products are versions of other products adapted for use in industries with special needs such as nuclear power, aircraft, and agriculture.
Monitor Technologies LLC was founded by George Gruber in Port Sanilac, Michigan in 1958. The ISO 9001-certified company is a manufacturer of indicators and control equipment for industries including plastic processing, cement & aggregates, feed processing, grain processing, and food processing. The company sells domestically and internationally through authorized representatives. The company’s products include point level indicators & controls, dust leak indicators & particulate emission trend monitors, inventory management software, and various flow measurement devices.
Founded in 1890 in Missouri, Emerson Electric Co., is a technology and engineering company that provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets globally. Business segments include automation solutions, AspenTech, and commercial & residential solutions segments. The Automation Solutions segment offers measurement and analytical instrumentation, industrial valves and equipment, and process control software and systems. The AspenTech segment provides asset optimization software for enhancing performance through a combination of modeling, simulation, and optimization capabilities. The Commercial & Residential Solutions segment offers residential and commercial HVAC products, system protector and flow control devices, and IoT thermostats.
HASCO, founded in 1924 with headquarters in Germany, is a manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of modular standard mold making equipment, ready-to-mount system components, and tools. The company's product line includes mold steel from European suppliers, machined plates, guiding elements, tool components, and measuring technology. The company also provides the HASCO SET of standard engineering tools and offline software for designers of molds, which includes a library of more than 100,000 mold units.
ISKRA, d.o.o., founded in 1946 and headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a manufacturer and supplier of intelligent industrial solutions and electrotechnical products. Its extensive product line includes energy sector solutions, electrotechnical components, efficient installations, traffic solutions, and telecommunications solutions. These items are deployed across multiple sectors, utlized in process automation, communications, and security systems for power distribution, transmission, and railway and road traffic. Its products are instrumental in software solutions within the energy sector and logistics.
Parker Hannifin Corporation was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Parker Hannifin is a manufacturer and distributor of motion and control technologies and systems for markets including mobile, industrial, and aerospace. Parker-Hannifin operates through two segments: diversified industrial and aerospace systems. Diversified industrial offers sealing, shielding, thermal products and systems, adhesives, diagnostics solutions, and hydraulic, pneumatic, and elctromechanical components and systems or industrial machinery and equipment. The aerospace segment offers control actuation systems and components, engine exhaust nozzles and assemblies, pilot controls, as well as others.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Milwakee, WI. Rockwell Automation provides industrial automation and digital transformation solutions around the world. Rockwell Automation operates through their intelligent devices, software & control, and lifecycle services segments with both hardware and software products and services. The Intelligent Devices segment offers drives, motion, safety, sensing, industrial components, and configured-to-order products. The Software & Control segment provides control and visualization software and hardware, information software, and network and security infrastructure solutions. The Lifecycle Services segment provides consulting, professional services and solutions, and connected and maintenance services through independent distributors.
OMRON Corporation is a Kyoto based electrical equipment manufacturing company founded by Kazuma Tateisi in 1933. OMRON’s product portfolio includes medical equipment like nebulizers and digital thermometers, automated teller machines for the finance industry to AC, DC and custom control systems for the oil and gas industries. The company has over 30,000 employees and offers its products and services in 120 countries. It primarily serves the healthcare, energy, casino, and automated test equipment industries.
Altech Corporation, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Flemington, New Jersey, is a supplier and distributor of electronic and control components and is ISO 9001 certified. The company provides a broad line of products, including programmable controllers, monitoring relays, and terminal blocks, used in instrumentation, industrial control, and automation applications. The company’s enclosed disconnect switches are available in different materials like stainless steel, plastic, and aluminum and have a use rating of 16A to 150A/600V AC. The products are all RoHS and REACH compliant and meet diverse national and international standards like IEC, CSA, and UL.
Creative Electronics, founded in India in 1992, is a supplier of Mark Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Reflective Sensor, and Proximity Switches. The company is mainly engaged in High-performance mark sensors for detecting registration marks on various materials, proximity sensors with different sensing principles, including inductive, capacitive, and ultrasonic, Sensors used to detect the presence or absence of objects using reflected light, and a range of proximity switches suitable for diverse industrial applications.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | steute Technologies GmbH & Co. KG |
7.4%
|
2 | C&K Components, Inc. |
6.5%
|
3 | Zhejiang Wuce Electric Co., Ltd. |
5.6%
|
4 | Haws |
5.6%
|
5 | DiWi Enterprise Co.,Ltd |
5.6%
|
6 | Comus International |
5.6%
|
7 | CHEEMI TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED |
4.6%
|
8 | Schmersal GmbH & Co. KG |
4.6%
|
9 | Yaskawa America, Inc. - Drives & Motion Division |
4.6%
|
10 | Winston Electric Co.,LTD |
3.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the proximity switch page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
India | 8 | 30.8% |
China | 7 | 26.9% |
United States of America | 5 | 19.2% |
Japan | 3 | 11.5% |
Taiwan | 1 | 3.8% |
Germany | 1 | 3.8% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 3.8% |
68 products are listed.
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