Balluff is presenting a newly developed optical multifunction sensor. According to the manufacturer, it combines four optoelectronic sensor principles in one housing and can be switched via IO-Link to use the most reliable detection method depending on the application. In addition, the sensor detects real operating states, collects and processes information and provides more data via IO-Link than just the pure switching signal. Detection signals are already prepared and pre-processed in the sensor. This reduces the load on the system control and reduces data traffic on the fieldbus systems. Diagnostic functions provide information on service life, operating hours and function reserve. According to the manufacturer, this allows trends and irregularities to be detected long before critical operating states occur and preventive maintenance measures to be planned in a tailored manner.