Balluff Expands Portfolio With New Signal Towers and Fork Sensors

Balluff has expanded its industrial automation portfolio with two product families aimed at improving machine status indication and object detection. The first product announced is the SmartLight Black Line signal tower series, followed by next-generation fork sensors designed to simplify installation while providing greater flexibility for modern production systems.

Balluff is expanding both its signaling and sensing product lines. SmartLight Black Line introduces flexible machine status indication through IO-Link and process-data control, while the new fork sensor family provides entry-level, standard, laser, and infrared options for applications ranging from simple presence sensing to precision positioning.

Balluff’s SmartLight Black Line signal towers provide clear, bright machine status indication. Image used courtesy of Balluff

SmartLight Black Line Signal Towers

Balluff's SmartLight Black Line signal towers are designed for high-visibility machine status across large production areas or in bright industrial environments. The towers are available in 2-, 4-, and 6-segment versions, with optional sound modules, and support IO-Link 1.1 communication for direct integration into machine controls.

An Ultimate mode enables the signal towers to be controlled directly through process data, reducing setup compared to traditional parameter-based operation. Additional display modes, including fill level, runlight, flexible display options, and an integrated StrobeLight function, allow machine states to be displayed in different ways depending on the application.

The SmartLight Black Line signal towers operate between 18 VDC and 30.2 VDC, feature an IP65 enclosure rating, support COM3 IO-Link communication, and function in temperatures from -25°C to 50°C. Balluff positions the SmartLight family for production lines, large machine installations, safety-related equipment, and retrofit applications where improved machine visibility is needed.

The new Balluff fork sensor family offers plug-and-play installation with options for standard, laser, and infrared sensing applications. Image used courtesy of Balluff

New-Generation Fork Sensors

Balluff also introduced a completely updated fork sensor family that ranges from economical Entry Line models to higher-performance IO-Link, laser, and infrared versions. All models share the same mechanical design, allowing existing installations to be upgraded without changing mounting hardware or sensor alignment.

The Entry Line targets cost-sensitive applications using a simple plug-and-play design, visible red light, and fork openings of 30 mm, 50 mm, and 80 mm. Sensors detect objects regardless of color or surface and use a zinc die-cast IP67 housing for industrial environments.

For applications requiring higher performance, the standard models add IO-Link communication, switching frequencies up to 5 kHz, improved repeatability, better ambient light immunity, contamination monitoring, remote configuration, and integrated pulse extension for capturing short-duration events. Balluff also offers laser variants for higher positioning accuracy and detection of very small features, along with infrared models designed for dirty or dusty operating environments.

Balluff’s optical fork sensors are ideal for determining part presence, identifying misalignments, or detecting features such as holes or slots. Image used courtesy of Balluff

Advancing Signal and Sensor Technology

With its SmartLight Black Line signal tower series and its new fork sensor family, Balluff is expanding two core areas of industrial automation. The SmartLight series provides more flexible machine status indication through IO-Link and process-based control, while the updated fork sensors give engineers a broader range of detection options without changing existing mechanical layouts. Together, the new products are aimed at simplifying installation while improving machine visibility, sensing performance, and overall system flexibility.