Siko supplier in Romania
Linear position transducers and encoders for machinery
Founded in 1963 · Headquarters: Buchenbach, Germany
Who is Siko and what does it make?
Siko is a German manufacturer of position transducers and displacement sensors, based in Buchenbach near Freiburg. The company was founded in 1963, starting from handwheels with an analogue position indicator, and today offers a range of positioning sensors. From the portfolio we can quote digital and analogue position indicators, magnetic linear encoders, absolute and incremental rotary encoders, pull-wire transducers and inclinometers for mobile machinery.
What sets Siko apart technically is the shift, over recent decades, from classic precision mechanics to contactless magnetic measurement — a solution more resistant to vibration and dirt than optical scales, yet accurate enough for most industrial machine applications. The pull-wire encoder series is a compact alternative to rigid measuring rods where mounting space is limited or the stroke is long. The range also includes variants certified for safety circuits, with SIL2 and PLd ratings, useful on machines where position feeds directly into the emergency-stop chain.
In Romania, Siko makes sense for retrofitting machine tools, for mobile construction machinery whose hydraulic cylinders must be positioned electronically, and for packaging lines where the encoder has to withstand constant dust and vibration. Integration is usually handled by the automation engineer who designs or upgrades the machine.
What do we supply from the Siko range?
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| MagLine Magnetic Linear Encoders | Family of linear position sensors based on contactless magnetic measurement, in incremental and absolute versions. Designed for compact mounting on machine-tool axes, positioning tables and machines where space is limited. With no direct mechanical contact between the reader and the tape, they cope well with dust and production-floor vibration. For a quotation, the customer needs to state the required measuring stroke, the desired resolution and the controller's communication interface (CANopen, PROFINET, EtherCAT, IO-Link or analogue output). |
| Absolute and Incremental Rotary Encoders | Rotary transducers for monitoring angular position on drive axes, motors and gearboxes. Absolute versions retain the true position after a power interruption, removing the need for a reference run on restart. They are used frequently on conveyors, indexing mechanisms and machine axes where quick restart of production matters. For a quotation we need the shaft type (solid or hollow), the electrical interface required and the resolution per revolution. |
| Pull-wire transducers | Encoders based on the pull-wire principle, which convert the linear movement of a retractable cable into a position signal, without a rigid rod mounted along the whole stroke. Useful on mobile machinery, cranes and hydraulic cylinders with long strokes, where mounting an optical or magnetic scale would be cumbersome. The customer must specify the maximum stroke needed and the type of electrical output (analogue or digital) so the right model can be sized. |
| Inclinometers | Inertial tilt sensors for measuring the angle on one or two axes, used for levelling platforms, crane booms and construction machinery that must know their position relative to the horizontal at all times. They withstand the constant vibration typical of mobile machinery. For a quotation, the customer states the number of measuring axes needed and the communication interface compatible with the on-board controller. |
Why Siko?
- Contactless magnetic measurement — MagLine encoders do not wear mechanically and tolerate dust, oil and vibration better than optical scales
- Safety-certified variants — SIL2 (IEC 61508) and PLd (ISO 13849) ratings for direct integration into emergency-stop circuits
- Pull-wire transducers — a compact solution for long strokes, where a rigid measuring rod does not fit
Which Siko codes and series are requested most often?
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| MagLine incremental linear | family of magnetic linear encoders for incremental position measurement |
| MagLine absolute linear | family of magnetic linear encoders with absolute position output |
| Absolute rotary encoder | range of rotary encoders with absolute position signal |
| Incremental rotary encoder | range of rotary encoders with incremental rotation signal |
| Rotary safety encoder | variant of rotary encoders certified for safety functions |
| MagLine bearingless encoder | bearingless encoders for direct motor feedback |
| Pull-wire transducer | family of pull-wire transducers for linear displacement measurement |
| Safety pull-wire transducer | variant of pull-wire transducers certified for safety applications |
| Static inclinometer | sensors for measuring the static tilt of a piece of equipment |
| Dynamic IMU inclinometer | inertial sensors for dynamic tilt measurement |
| Senzor magnetic MS | passive magnetic sensor, requires external evaluation electronics |
| Senzor magnetic MSK | active magnetic sensor with standardised output interface |
| Senzor magnetic MSC | variant of active magnetic sensor from the MagLine family |
| Senzor magnetic LEC | active magnetic sensor for reading magnetic tapes |
Where is Siko equipment used?
- Machine tools — positioning of axes and work tables
- Construction machinery — positioning of hydraulic cylinders on excavators and loaders
- Lifting and cranes — monitoring of boom angle and hook position
- Packaging and labelling — positioning of application heads on high-speed lines
- Robotics and automation — position feedback for handling axes
- Woodworking — positioning of cutting bars and stops
How do we supply Siko in Romania?
We bring in the Siko range from EU supply sources, made to order, usually in 1–4 weeks. Our confirmations depend on the configuration: send the code from the label of your current sensor or the application parameters (stroke, resolution, protocol). Not every variant is held on permanent availability.
Variants with functional-safety certification are usually ordered on request, and we state their availability in the quotation.
Frequently asked questions about Siko
What is the difference between incremental and absolute SIKO encoders?
Incremental encoders generate a step-counting signal and need a zero reference at start-up, so they suit applications where the position is reset every cycle. Absolute encoders keep the true position even after a power interruption, with no reference run needed. The choice depends on the application: incremental where the position can be reset, or absolute for positioning reliability without a reset.
How does a SIKO MagLine magnetic sensor work?
A MagLine magnetic sensor reads a magnetised tape or ring mounted on the shaft or the travel rail, converting the detected magnetic field into a position signal. Passive versions, such as the MS series, need external evaluation electronics, while active versions, such as MSK or LEC, already include the standardised output interface. Magnetic technology tolerates dust, oil and vibration well in industrial environments.
What applications use SIKO pull-wire transducers?
Pull-wire transducers turn the linear movement of a retractable cable into an electrical position signal. They are used on cranes, aerial work platforms, overhead cranes and mobile machinery where fitting a conventional linear encoder is not practical. Safety versions are also available, certified to stop the machine in case of a cable or sensor fault.
Do you supply SIKO sensors in Romania?
Yes, we bring in to order the encoders, magnetic sensors, pull-wire transducers and inclinometers from the range described above, based on the manufacturer's public technical documentation; this range is supplied to order and not held on the shelf. Lead time on order is usually 1–4 weeks, depending on the model and the configuration requested. For an accurate quotation, send the sensor type, the measuring stroke or angle and the output interface required.
How do I request a Siko quotation?
Send the Siko code from the nameplate and the quantity; we reply in English with availability and the lead time written in the quotation.
Request a quoteUpdated: 12 November 2026 · Sources: SIKO GmbH (manufacturer documentation)