1026578 Sick

What does this sensor do?

This unit is a contrast sensor designed to detect differences in contrast between a target mark and its background. It is commonly used where reliable mark recognition is needed on fast-moving materials such as labels, packaging film, paper or printed products.

What applications is it typically used for?

It is typically used for print mark detection, label positioning, packaging registration, web tracking processes and other automated machinery tasks where a clear contrast difference must be identified quickly and consistently.

What is the sensing distance?

The sensor offers a sensing distance of up to 40 mm from the leading edge of the lens. Different lens options can also be used for 10 mm, 20 mm and 40 mm sensing arrangements, depending on the installation requirement.

What light source does it use?

It uses an RGB LED light source with wavelengths of 470 nm, 525 nm and 640 nm. This helps the device select the most suitable emitted light for detecting contrast on different coloured marks and backgrounds.

How is the sensor adjusted?

The unit is adjusted using a teach-in button and a static 2-point teach-in process with manual fine adjustment. During setup, the sensor learns the mark and the background, then sets the switching threshold between the two for dependable detection.

Does it have a display or visual indication?

Yes. It includes a yellow function indicator and a green bar graph. The bar graph shows detection reliability during teach-in, making it easier to judge whether the contrast difference is strong enough for stable operation.

What electrical supply does it require?

The sensor operates on 10 to 30 V DC. Current consumption is less than 130 mA without load, making it suitable for many standard industrial control circuits.

What output type does it provide?

This version provides a PNP switching output with a maximum output current of 100 mA. It also includes a PNP teach-in input for external setup control.

How fast is the switching performance?

It is designed for fast detection tasks, with a switching frequency of 10 kHz and a response time of 50 µs. This makes it well suited to high-speed machinery and rapid mark detection duties.

What connection does the sensor use?

The device uses a 5-pin M12 male connector. The connection arrangement is: pin 1 brown for L+, pin 3 blue for M, pin 4 black for output Q, pin 5 grey for teach-in, and pin 2 white not connected.

What is the enclosure rating?

It has an IP67 enclosure rating, which means it is built for demanding industrial environments where resistance to dust ingress and temporary water exposure is important.

What is the housing made from?

The housing is made from metal with zinc die-cast construction. This gives the sensor a solid, durable build for industrial mounting positions.

What are the physical dimensions?

The housing dimensions are 30.4 mm x 53 mm x 80 mm, and the unit weighs approximately 400 g. This helps when checking space requirements for replacement or new installation.

What temperature range can it operate in?

The operating ambient temperature range is -10 °C to +55 °C. For storage, the specified range is -25 °C to +75 °C.

Can the light emission side be changed?

Yes. The light emission can be arranged on the long side or short side of the housing, and the lens position can be exchanged to suit the mechanical layout. This gives added flexibility when integrating the sensor into compact equipment.

What accessories are commonly used with this sensor?

Common accessories include alternative lenses for 10 mm, 20 mm and 40 mm sensing distances, plus M12 connection leads and mounting hardware. For installations using the Sick 1026578, these options can help match the sensor to the machine layout more effectively.