Imagine this: your crane is designed to safely lift heavy materials, but one day it fails to maintain stability and drops the load. This situation could have been avoided with the right technology in place, such as a high-quality inclinometer.

Inclinometers are precision sensors that measure the angle of tilt or slope in various settings. They are frequently used in industries like construction, engineering, transportation, and even renewable energy, where precision and safety are paramount. In this blog, we’ll look at how inclinometers are used in different industries and how they enhance the safety, precision, and overall efficiency of your solutions.

What is an inclinometer?

Before diving into the specific applications of an inclinometer, let’s clarify what an inclinometer is. Simply put, an inclinometer is a sensor that measures how tilted or sloped an object is in relation to gravity. The measurements are usually presented in degrees or as a percentage of the tilt. These sensors are great at detecting changes in angle, which makes them vital for high-precision tasks.

DIS Sensors’ inclinometers

Our inclinometer can be used in many different applications. This is because our inclinometers can be placed anywhere and easily adapt to different designs. The output of our inclinometer consists of two parts: one that measures the tilt (static/slope) and another that measures movement (dynamic/acceleration). The sensor always combines these two parts in its readings. Our inclinometer typically has a standard frequency range of 10 Hz, however this can be adjusted to a lower range if needed. The precision of our inclinometers is (depending on the model and range) as high as ±0.04°.

Top 7 inclinometer applications across industries

1. Handling and lifting

Inclinometers are needed in handling and lifting operations, especially with cranes and hoisting equipment. By measuring the angle of tilt, these sensors help operators maintain stability during lifts, preventing accidents and equipment failure. For example in:

Construction sites
In construction sites, cranes equipped with inclinometers can ensure that loads are lifted and positioned safely, reducing the risk of tipping or dropping loads.

Boom lifts and cherry pickers
Inclinometers from DIS Sensors have an important application in boom lifts and cherry pickers. These platforms rely on inclinometers to monitor tilt and ensure that the platform remains level while elevated. The inclinometer helps operators know if the platform reaches unsafe tilt angles, especially when extended at high elevations or uneven ground. DIS Sensors offers a wide range
of inclinometers for this application, including many with SIL2/PLd certificate.

2. Sustainable energy

What do windmills and inclinometers have in common? Inclinometers are perfect for precise and constant monitoring of the angle relative to gravity, ensuring the ideal alignment for windmills and other machines in the sustainable energy industry. For example in:

Offshore wind power plants
In offshore wind farms, inclinometers track the tilt of turbine towers affected by waves and strong winds, helping maintenance teams maintain optimal alignment. So, when it comes to safeguarding the long-term performance of your wind power assets, you can count on inclinometers to keep everything in balance.

DIS Sensors offers various inclinometers that are certified compliant with SIL2 (IEC 62061) and PLd (as per EN ISO 13849). This certification makes these sensors suitable for use in safety applications like off shore wind power plants. The sensors are available in both the standard QG65 reinforced plastic housing and the QG76 stainless steel housing.

3. Medical Appliances

Inclinometers are used in medical appliances to enhance accuracy, improve safety, and provide real-time data for better patient outcomes. For example in:

Rehabilitation and physical therapy equipment
DIS Sensors’ inclinometers are commonly integrated into physical therapy and rehabilitation devices to monitor the precise angles of body movements. They help track the range of motion in joints during exercises, providing valuable feedback to patients and therapists.

Surgical equipment and patient positioning
When surgical procedures require the patient to be positioned at very specific angles to facilitate accurate treatment, inclinometers are embedded in surgical tables and beds. In this way they can precisely adjust and maintain these positions, improving surgical precision and patient safety. Inclinometers are also used in monitoring systems that can alert staff to any unintentional shifts during surgery.

4. Marine and water management

In the marine and water management industries, inclinometers are used for monitoring stability. This ensures safe operations and protects infrastructure in challenging environments. For example in:

Floating oil rigs
On floating oil rigs, our inclinometers help detect even slight tilts due to underwater currents or machinery movements, ensuring the rig remains level and reducing the risk of equipment damage or oil spills.

Canal and flood barrier maintenance
In water management systems, inclinometers monitor the tilt of flood barriers, gates, and canal walls, helping to detect and prevent structural degradation over time, ensuring that water control systems remain operational and reliable in managing water levels and flow​

5. Agricultural vehicles 

Have you ever wondered how equipment stays precise, even on sloped fields? In agricultural vehicles, inclinometers ensure safety and operational efficiency on challenging terrains. For example in:

Enhanced precision in crop planting and harvesting
Inclinometers help agricultural equipment maintain consistent depth and angle during planting, ensuring seeds are sown at the correct depth and spacing, even on sloping fields. During harvesting, inclinometers allow equipment to make adjustments to maintain optimal harvesting angles, preventing crop loss and ensuring efficient processing. By keeping everything aligned, inclinometers help make the whole operation smoother, safer, and more productive, no matter the terrain.

6. Construction machines

Like agricultural vehicles, construction machines need to stay precise on challenging terrains. Inclinometers enhance safety, accuracy and efficiency in tasks executed in construction terrains. For example in: 

Stabilizing cranes, excavators and bulldozers
In equipment like cranes, excavators, and bulldozers, inclinometers measure the tilt to ensure that machines remain stable, especially when operating on slopes or uneven ground. Our inclinometers have different outputs like CANopen, J1939 and analog, providing real-time data on tilt, inclinometers help operators keep the equipment within safe operational limits, minimizing the risk of tipping or losing control. 

Automatic leveling and stabilization
In some advanced construction machines, inclinometers are part of automatic leveling systems that adjust the machine’s stance to keep it level even on inclined surfaces. For instance, certain models of graders and pavers use inclinometers to ensure a perfectly level road surface during paving operations, enhancing both safety and accuracy. This automation reduces the need for manual adjustments, improving both safety and productivity.

7. Production machines

Have you ever wondered how production machines maintain such high precision and consistency? In production machines, inclinometers provide feedback on the orientation of robot arms and automated machinery, especially when precision and repeatability are crucial. For example in:

Automated assembly lines
In automated assembly lines, DIS Sensors’ inclinometers track the tilt and position of robotic arms to maintain precise assembly angles, enhancing efficiency and ensuring product quality across a large volume of parts.

Assisting in preventative maintenance
Inclinometers contribute to predictive maintenance programs by monitoring the tilt and stability of production machines over time. If an inclinometer detects a gradual shift in alignment or a recurrent tilt, it can signal potential issues, prompting maintenance before a breakdown occurs. 


So, what have we learned from this blog? Inclinometers are essential sensors that measure the angle of slope or elevation concerning gravity, making them invaluable across a wide range of industries. Whether you’re in construction, renewable energy, or manufacturing, our inclinometers provide the precision and reliability you need to enhance safety and performance.

At DIS Sensors, we design and manufacture these advanced sensors in-house in the Netherlands, ensuring the highest standards of quality. Our products are then distributed through a network of trusted partners, ready to meet your specific needs.

Curious to see how our inclinometers can work for you? Explore our inclinometer page to learn more!