What Solartron Metrology does

Solartron Metrology is a UK-headquartered manufacturer of precision linear measurement sensors and associated instrumentation, founded in 1946 and operating today as a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE: AME), within AMETEK's Ultra Precision Technologies division. The company designs and assembles its products at its Bognor Regis, West Sussex facility and distributes them through seven direct regional sales offices (UK, France, Germany, China, USA, Japan, and Thailand), an authorised distributor network, and an own webstore.

The product portfolio centres on contact and non-contact linear measurement: LVDT displacement transducers, digital pencil probes, optical linear encoders, specialist transducers such as block gauges and parallel flexures, a non-contact laser triangulation unit (Orbit LT), and a wireless gauging solution (WiGauge). These are unified by the proprietary Orbit Digital Measurement Network — Orbit3 and the 2025 flagship Orbit5ync — which can link up to 200-250 sensors on one modular stack and stream data at up to 3,906 readings per module per second to PCs, PLCs, and readouts via Orbit Gauge Software 5. Published performance includes repeatability up to 0.05µm under sideload, probe durability tested to 13 million cycles and validated at hundreds of millions of cycles in field conditions, and Ultra Feather Touch probes with 0.3N tip force for delicate materials such as glass, rubber, and semiconductor wafers.

Solartron serves precision manufacturing industries, with primary applications in aerospace & defence (turbine blades, aircraft components), electric vehicles (battery, motor, drivetrain), and automotive (gears, bearings, precision parts), and secondary applications in bearings, glass, electronics & semiconductors, medical devices, machining centres, process automation, and packaging. The business model is primarily hardware sales with supplementary software licensing (OGS5) and customised solutions, including high/low-temperature, alkaline-resistant, and marine-grade variants. Pricing is opaque and quote-based, sales run through regional field offices and distributors, and the company employs 51-100 people under Vice President and Managing Director Tim Bache.

Name

Solartron Metrology

Legal name

Solartron Metrology Limited

Website

https://solartronmetrology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Solartron Metrology is a UK-based, AMETEK-owned manufacturer of precision linear measurement sensors — including LVDT transducers, digital probes, and the Orbit Digital Measurement Network — serving quality control in aerospace, automotive, EV, and precision manufacturing industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Linear Measurement Sensors & Instrumentation

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519), Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Metrology, Inspection & Machine Tool Accessories (CMMs, Probing, Gauging) (IMAHADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD), Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC), Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM)

Keywords

• Precision linear measurement sensors
• LVDT displacement transducers
• Digital gauging probes
• Industrial dimensional measurement
• Orbit measurement network

Headquarters

HQ city

Bognor Regis

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Precision Measurement Hardware: Sale of precision linear measurement sensors including digital and analogue gauging probes, displacement transducers, LVDT sensors, pencil probes, specialist transducers, non-contact sensors, and accessories. Products are manufactured in their UK facility.
2. Software Licenses and Upgrades: Orbit Gauge Software 4.0 and related software products sold with licensing, registration, and upgrade options. Software drivers for PC integration.
3. Custom Solutions and Accessories: Customised sensor designs and accessories including high/low temperature tolerances, alkaline-resistant materials, polymer bearings, FEP cables, marine grade cases, and other customisations for specific applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solartron Metrology manufactures and sells precision linear measurement sensors and associated instrumentation for industrial quality control and machine control. Its portfolio includes LVDT displacement transducers, digital gauging pencil probes, specialist transducers, optical linear encoders, non-contact laser sensors (Orbit LT), wireless probes (WiGauge), the Orbit Digital Measurement Network (Orbit5ync/Orbit3) for sensor networking, and Orbit Gauge Software for SPC data collection, all assembled at its UK facility in Bognor Regis. Products are targeted at industrial manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, EV, medical, bearings, glass, electronics, and machining applications requiring tight-tolerance, high-reliability measurement.

Product overview

Solartron Metrology offers a comprehensive portfolio of precision linear measurement sensors and associated instrumentation. The portfolio is organized around several core product families: DP-I Integrated Electronics Sensors (sensors with built-in electronics); the Orbit Digital Measurement Network (Orbit5ync and Orbit3) which serves as the core networking platform enabling digital calibration, networking, and output to PCs, PLCs, and readouts; Gauging Pencil Probes (including Standard Gauge Probes, Low Tip Force Probes, and Compact/Narrow Body Probes); Specialist Transducers (Block Gauges, Linear Encoders, Flexures & Mini Probes); Displacement Transducers (S Series, Optimum Series, G-Type, Miniature Displacement); Non-Contact Measurement (Orbit LT laser sensors); Wireless Measurement (WiGauge); Software (Orbit Gauge Software 5 for data collection and SPC); Displays & Readouts; and Controllers & Modules (Air Gauge modules, PLC interfaces). The Orbit network serves as the unifying platform connecting sensors to data outputs, while specialized probes and transducers address specific measurement applications from delicate materials to harsh industrial environments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DP-I Integrated Electronics Sensors Displacement sensors with integrated electronics built directly into the probe, simplifying installation and reducing wiring complexity for precision measurement applications in industrial quality control.
• Orbit5ync Flagship digital measurement network platform enabling connection and management of up to 200 sensors with digital calibration, networking, and output capabilities to PCs, PLCs, and readouts for industrial measurement applications.
• Orbit3 Digital Measurement Network Digital measurement network platform for networking multiple sensors, enabling synchronized data collection and output to various systems including SPC software for industrial measurement and quality control.
• Standard Gauge Probes (Orbit Digital Measuring Probes) Digital pencil probes serving as the industry workhorse, offering excellent resolution, high linearity, high data speed, and long-life precision bearings for general industrial gauging applications.
• Low Tip Force Gauge Probes Specialized pencil probes with ultra-low contact force (Ultra Feather Touch technology, 0.3N) designed for measuring delicate materials including glass, rubber, and semiconductor wafers without surface damage.
• Compact and Narrow Body Gauge Probes Space-saving gauge probes designed for installation in confined measurement locations where standard probe bodies cannot fit, for OEM and in-machine gauging applications.
• Block Gauges Specialist gauging sensors designed for diameter checks and precision measurement of bearing rings and similar components in industrial quality control applications.
• Linear Encoders Optical linear encoders providing high-precision linear position measurement for CNC machines, coordinate measuring machines, and precision manufacturing equipment.
• Flexures & Mini Probes Specialized transducers including Parallel Flexures and Mini Probes designed for bearing measurement, offering high durability, replaceable tips and compact form factors for confined measurement spaces.
• S Series Displacement Transducers Robust displacement transducers featuring stainless steel casing, high precision bearings, and excellent sideload capability, designed for tough industrial environments with customizable options for hostile conditions.
• Optimum Series Displacement Transducers High-performance displacement transducers optimized for precision measurement applications requiring excellent linearity and reliability.
• G-Type Displacement Sensors Displacement sensors designed for general-purpose industrial measurement applications with robust construction and reliable performance.
• Miniature Displacement Transducers (SM/MD/DF Series) Compact displacement sensors (SM Series, MD Series, DF Series) designed for applications with limited space constraints while maintaining high precision measurement capability.
• Orbit LT Non-Contact Laser Sensor Laser triangulation non-contact sensor for measuring surfaces where physical contact is not feasible, featuring compact size and adaptive surface adjustment for precise results on shiny, reflective surfaces.
• WiGauge Wireless Gauging Probe Wireless gauging probe enabling cable-free measurement for improved flexibility in gauge design and operation, reducing installation complexity for flexible gauging applications.
• Orbit Gauge Software 5 (OGS5) Comprehensive gauge software for networking hundreds of measurement points, outputting data in various SPC formats, with sequencing functions, automation handshaking, and pre-loaded formulas for complex measurement applications.
• Displays & Readouts Digital readout units for displaying measurement values from connected sensors, providing operator interface for real-time measurement monitoring.
• Air Gauge Modules & Controller Modules Pneumatic gauge interface modules and related controller modules for integrating air gauge and other technologies into the Orbit measurement network for high-precision dimensional measurement.
• PLC to Orbit Interface Gateway Gateway modules enabling communication between the Orbit digital measurement network and PLC systems via Profinet, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT and Modbus for industrial automation integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sensors deliver repeatability up to 0.05µm even under sideload conditions
• +4 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• AMETEK InccoreOthersSolartron Metrology is part of the Ultra Precision Technologies division of AMETEK Inc, a leading Global Manufacturer of electronic instrument and electromechanical devices with annual sales of over $6 billion USD. AMETEK provides corporate backing, global reach, and operational infrastructure while Solartron maintains its precision manufacturing heritage and brand identity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ifm electronic: German manufacturer of industrial sensors and IO-Link connectivity including position and process sensors for factory automation. Overlaps with Solartron's displacement sensing and PLC/network integration, with strong traction in automotive and process automation.
• Balluff: German industrial sensor and connectivity specialist offering displacement, position, and identification sensors plus IO-Link and industrial network infrastructure. Comparable to Solartron on displacement/linear measurement and on network-level integration to PLCs and IIoT systems.

Direct peers

• Mitutoyo: Japanese global leader in precision dimensional metrology - micrometers, calipers, CMMs, probe systems, and linear encoders. Highly comparable to Solartron across linear measurement and gauging, with broader brand recognition in industrial quality control.
• Heidenhain: German manufacturer of high-precision linear encoders, angle encoders, and length gauges - including LVDT-class displacement sensors. Direct overlap with Solartron's linear encoders and displacement transducer product lines for CNC and machine tool markets.
• Renishaw: UK-based global leader in precision measurement including CMM probes, fixed-gauge probing, laser encoders, and inline gauging. Directly comparable to Solartron's gauging probes, encoders, and Orbit-class networked sensor platform serving aerospace, automotive, and medical manufacturers.
• Micro-Epsilon: Germany-based specialist in displacement, position, and dimensional sensors including LVDTs, eddy current, capacitive, laser triangulation, and optical encoders. Closely comparable to Solartron's displacement transducers and non-contact laser triangulators (Orbit LT).
• Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (Mahr): Major metrology vendor offering CMMs, optical and tactile probes, and dimensional measurement sensors through brands including Mahr. Overlaps with Solartron's gauging and displacement sensor portfolio for precision manufacturing quality control.

Broad incumbents

• Keyence: Global Japanese industrial sensor and measurement giant offering laser displacement sensors, vision systems, and inline gauging. A broader incumbent that overlaps with Solartron's non-contact laser triangulation and in-line gauging offerings, but with a much wider sensor portfolio spanning automation, vision, and microscopy.
• SICK AG: Major German industrial sensor manufacturer including displacement, distance, and position sensors across factory automation, automotive, and process industries. Comparable as an incumbent sensor provider serving overlapping automotive and process-automation end markets, though broader in scope than Solartron's gauging core.
• ZEISS Industrial Metrology: Provides CMMs, optical systems, and metrology software primarily to aerospace and automotive OEMs. Overlaps with Solartron's precision gauging and CMM-related probe solutions as part of a much larger metrology portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solartron_met
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solartron-metrology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solartron Metrology