World-first manufacturer of IO-Link pencil probes

We are delighted to showcase Peter Hirt GmbH as the recipient of our Manufacturing Company of the Month

Peter Hirt GmbH is an industry-leading manufacturer of highprecision Linear Ball Bearing, Displacement Transducers and OEM high precision mechanical assemblies and parts.

Established in 1943, the primary focus was on trading activities. Over the years, the family-owned company has evolved steadily into a secondgeneration provider of innovative products and solutions to a diverse range of applications including: semiconductor manufacturers, optical system producers, and metrology providers and integrators. The linear ball bearings and probes are versatile, therefore suitable for a variety of applications beyond any single industry.

The primary headquarters are close to the flourishing economic city of Zurich in Switzerland, which operates multiple production and assembly facilities across the country. With an ever-increasing international outlook, distributors worldwide supply the international probe and sensor division products.

With a view to ongoing excellence, Peter Hirt GmbH specialises in three key areas:• High-precision linear bearings – the oldest product line, known for its precisely defined preload and exceptional quality.• Pencil probes – designed for diverse applications across various industries.• OEM parts and subassemblies – Custom-manufactured solutions tailored to meet specific client requirements.

We caught up with CEO Daniel Hirt to find out more about this Swiss powerhouse company, “We operate in the field of high-precision micromechanics, focusing on niche products. Our expertise includes the production of miniature, high-quality components, such as advanced probes with integrated electronics. PETER HIRT is known for its extensive knowledge in manufacturing and assembling small-sized products.

“Our linear ball bearings provide unmatched precision and play-free positioning, meeting the highest quality standards. Moreover, we manufacture these products according to each customer’s specific requirements, ensuring tailormade, high-precision solutions.

“With the growing digitisation of sensors, we are proud to be, as far as we know, the first manufacturer to offer IO-Link pencil probes. Nearly all our probes are now available with this technology, providing exceptional measurement stability and linearity, as well as seamless integration into SPS/PLC systems.

“Our linear bearing solutions have seen great success this year, enabling customers to achieve precise positioning in their machinery and apparatus, alongside the growing market acceptance of our digital IO-Link probes.”

IO-Link Probes are precision-designed for a diverse range of applications, with seamless digital integration and the enhanced separability sensor to cable at the measuring point lowers the installation effort.

In the circular economy era, it’s important that every company contributes to sustainability best practice. Peter Hirt GmbH provides stability and longevity for customers, with many product lines remaining available for 20 years or more. Simultaneously, the team are committed to continuously improving the production processes, particularly through advancements in automation and robotics.

“Looking to the future, we plan to continue refining our production processes to deliver even higher precision products, faster response times, and enhanced flexibility for small series. Additionally, we are expanding our pencil probe product range, along with dedicated accessories to further enhance model versatility.”

For further information or to speak to the sales team, see the contact details and website below:T +41 44 251 24 39info@peterhirt.chwww.peterhirt.ch/en