World Technology Assessment of Pressure, Flow, and Level Sensors Reveals Market Growth.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 18, 1996--In general the sensor market is relatively well established, but according to the strategic market analysis conducted by Frost & Sullivan, there are several new factors influencing the market.

The recent market assessment review World Sensor Technology Assessment: Pressure, Flow, and Level summarizes interviews conducted throughout the sensor industry revealing the emerging face of the sensor market.

This assessment of the market takes an in depth look at three target areas based on over forty technologies available in the market. These areas include: pressure sensors, flow sensors, and level sensors.

The world wide market for pressure sensors was $2.4 billion in 1995 and is expected to expand to $2.79 billion by 1997. The more recent development within this category include: silicon micromachined pressure sensors, (especially captive and resonating types), and fiber optic pressure sensors. Additionally there is some development in vacuum gauges, but at this point the technology is still limited.

The worldwide market for flow sensors was $3 billion in 1995 and is predicted to expand to $3.24 billion by 1997. The area within this market which has experienced the most development is mass flow sensors, both Coriolis and thermal types. Other developments occurred in the vortex flow meters market with the introduction of direct mass measurement capabilities. Future opportunities are also being explored in the field of ultrasonic technology.

The Level sensors worldwide market was $1 billion in 1995 with overall growth rates of 5 to 6%. Developments in this market segment are mainly concentrated in the non-contacting technologies such as ultrasonic and microwave (radar). Other developments occurred in the vibrating level sensors such as tuning forks.

There are several key technologies which have contributed to the growth in the sensor market. These technologies include: miniaturization of sensors, developments in electronics and software in order to develop smart sensors that can offer multivariable capabilities, self-diagnostics features, and self-calibration features. Trends have also steered towards non-contacting sensors such as ultrasonic and radar. Additional developments have occurred in the standardization of the communication protocol (fieldbus) for digital interface between sensors and control systems.

The companies involved in the research include: ABB Kent-Taylor Ltd, Amtek Inc., Bailey-Fischer & Porter Company, Balzers Pfeiffer North America, Bindicator, Bourns Inc., Brooks Instrument Division, Camino NeuroCare Inc., Controlotron Corporation, Data Instruments Inc., Delco Electronics, Desco Corporation, Dresser Industries, Drexelbrook Engineering Company, Druck Inc., Dwyer Instruments, Dynisco Instruments, Dytran Instruments Inc., EG&G Corporation, Elsag Bailey Process Control NV, EMCO, Endress & Hauser International Holding AG, Fisher-Rosemount Inc., Fluid Components International (FCI), Foxboro Company, Fuji Electric Corporate R&D Ltd., Granville-Phillips Company, Honeywell Inc., Johnson Yokogawa Corporation, Kavlico Corporation, Kistler Instrument Corporation, Krohne-America Inc., Leeds & Northrup, Leybold Inficon Inc., Lucas NovaSensor, Meriam instrument, Micro Motion Inc., Milltronics Inc., MKS Instruments Inc., Mobrey Group, Motorola Inc., PCB Piezotronics Inc., Photonetics Inc., Qualimetrics Inc., Saab Marine Electronics AB, Schaevitz Sensors, Schlumberger Industries, Siemens AG, Siemens Components Inc., Silicon Microstructures Inc., Smith Meter Incorporated, Travis Corporation, Texas Instruments Inc., TN Technologies, Transicoil Inc., TSI Inc., Varian associates Inc., Vega Grieshaber KG, and Wika Instrument Corporation.

Technologies reviewed by the research team include: silicon micromachined pressure sensors, fiber optic pressure sensors, mass flowmeters, vortex flowmeters, micropower impulse radar technology, and ultrasonic technology.

Frost & Sullivan is an international marketing consulting company that monitors the sensor industry for market trends, market measurements, and strategies. This ongoing research is utilized to update a series of research publications such as No. 5100-32: U.S Industrial Gas Sensor Markets, and to support industry participants with customized consulting needs. Free executive summaries of all Frost & Sullivan reports are available to the press.

Report: 5514-32 Publication Date: September 1996 Price: $2495

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