At a Glance. Balluff's sensor portfolio solves detection, identification, positioning and inspection. The right family depends on what you detect and what you need back: metal presence → inductive BES; any object (metal or not) → photoelectric BOS; smart, configurable, multi-sensor → IO-Link master BNI + IO-Link sensors; product/asset ID → RFID BIS; continuous position → magnetostrictive BTL5; visual inspection / robot guidance → vision BVS-E. This guide walks the decision flow.
1. Balluff Sensor Families Side-by-Side
| Family | Technology | Detects / Provides | Typical Range | Stock Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BES M12 / M18 / M30 | Inductive proximity | Metal presence (ferrous/non-ferrous) | 2–40 mm | BES M12, BES M18, BES M30 |
| BOS 18M | Photoelectric | Any object (metal/plastic/liquid) | 0.1–4 m | BOS 18M |
| BNI EIP-508 | IO-Link master | Aggregates IO-Link sensors to EtherNet/IP | — | BNI EIP-508 |
| BIS M-125 | RFID (13.56 MHz) | Tag read/write, product ID | up to ~120 mm | BIS M-125 |
| BTL5-S | Magnetostrictive linear | Continuous position (absolute) | 25–5000 mm | BTL5-S |
| BVS-E | Machine vision | Inspection, code reading, robot guidance | field-of-view dependent | BVS-E |
2. Decision Flow — Which Balluff Sensor Do You Need?
- What are you detecting?
Metal only → inductive (BES). Any material → photoelectric (BOS). Product ID → RFID (BIS). Position along a stroke → linear (BTL5). Visual defect / code → vision (BVS-E). - METAL detection — what target distance?
< 4 mm → BES M12; 4–8 mm → BES M18; 10–40 mm → BES M30. - NON-METAL or long distance?
Photoelectric BOS 18M — choose diffuse / retro-reflective / through-beam by distance and target reflectivity. - Need smart features (config, diagnostics, multi-parameter)?
Use IO-Link sensors + BNI EIP-508 master for EtherNet/IP integration. - Product / tool / carrier identification?
RFID BIS M-125 with writable tags. - Continuous absolute position (hydraulic cylinder, press)?
Magnetostrictive BTL5-S — non-contact, wear-free. - Visual inspection, 1D/2D code, robot guidance?
Vision BVS-E.
3. Inductive vs Photoelectric — The Classic Choice
| Aspect | Inductive (BES) | Photoelectric (BOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Detects | Metal only | Any object |
| Range | 2–40 mm (short) | 0.1–4 m (long) |
| Environment immunity | Excellent (dust, oil, water) | Needs clean optics (lens) |
| Mounting | Flush / non-flush | Bracket, through-beam pair |
| Cost | Lower | Slightly higher |
| Washdown | IP67/IP69K available | IP67 with sealed optics |
4. IO-Link Value — Why Add a Master
IO-Link upgrades a dumb sensor into a smart one: parameter download on product changeover, live diagnostics (temperature, runtime, signal quality), and multi-parameter output. The BNI EIP-508 master aggregates up to 8 IO-Link ports and exposes them over EtherNet/IP to the PLC — a single cable run replaces discrete wiring and lets you reconfigure sensors remotely.
5. Quick FAQ
Q: BES M12 flush vs non-flush — what's the difference?
Flush (shielded) can be mounted into metal; non-flush (unshielded) has a longer sensing distance but needs a metal-free zone around the face.
Q: Can BIS M-125 read through metal?
No — RFID (13.56 MHz HF) is attenuated by metal. Use on-metal tags for metallic carriers.
Q: BTL5-S — is it wear-free?
Yes, magnetostrictive position sensing has no contacting wiper; the position magnet floats over the rod.
Q: Does BVS-E need a PC?
Balluff BVS-E smart cameras run the inspection on-board; a PC is optional for setup and monitoring.
6. Related Balluff Products in Stock
- Balluff BES M12 — Inductive proximity sensor.
- Balluff BES M18 — Inductive proximity sensor.
- Balluff BES M30 — Inductive proximity sensor.
- Balluff BOS 18M — Photoelectric sensor.
- Balluff BNI EIP-508 — IO-Link master.
- Balluff BIS M-125 — RFID system.
- Balluff BTL5-S — Linear position sensor.
- Balluff BVS-E — Machine vision system.
Need help selecting the right Balluff sensor for your machine? Request a quote with your target, distance, output type and environment; our engineers will recommend the exact Balluff model and mounting.