Corporate History

Dr. Kurt Lion of M.I.T. started Lion Precision in 1958 to provide capacitive sensing solutions to industry. Over the years, our pursuit of solutions has resulted in unique application specific products. In most cases, these products had a powerful and lasting impact on the industry they served.

1963 - Spring Gage

Lion Precision worked with spring makers and developed the world’s first “spring gage”—an instrument that measures the length of springs during production. Today, nearly all spring coilers use spring gages and the vast majority of those gages carry the Lion Precision logo. To support our increased focus on finding more revolutionary solutions, the spring gage product line was sold to Larson Systems in 2003.

1992 - Spindle Error Analyzer

Lion Precision, working in conjunction with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), developed the Spindle Error Analyzer (SEA). SEA uses Lion Precision high-performance capacitive sensors to measure precision spindles used in machine tools and hard-disk drives. Proprietary software analyzes the error motions and thermal drift of the spindle to anticipate its ability to perform its designated function. Today, these systems are used worldwide in over a dozen countries.

1994 - LRD2100 Clear Label Sensor

The LRD2100, the world’s first and most popular clear-label sensor, revolutionized the packaging industry. Users soon discovered that the LRD2100 provided a better solution for opaque labels as well. Today, nearly 10,000 Lion Precision label and packaging sensors are in use throughout the world.

1998 - Targa-II Dynamic Runout Tester

The TARGA II Dynamic Runout Tester measures high-speed drill spindles for the medical and printed-circuit board industries. High-speed spindle builders and users across the globe use the TARGA II to maintain peak production performance.