Sensors & transducers S
ensor specialist SICK has released the W12NextGen range of photoelectric sensors with enhanced detection capabilities, delivering intelligent usability even in harsh conditions. Building on the hugely popular W12 series, the robust W12NextGen harnesses SICK’s innovation and sensor expertise to provide even greater precision, versatility and repeatability, with a range of new features. SICK is continually innovating and the W12NextGen universal detection solution harnesses the company’s expertise, processing power and proprietary algorithms for superior performance across a wide array of industrial applications. In addition, the W12NextGen is the first SICK photoelectric sensor with a true digital twin and features new industry-leading Hybrid LED technology for better positioning, as well as state-of-the-art spot size recognition (SSR) for retro-reflective sensors. With easy setup and operation, and smart connectivity, it is enclosed in a rugged metal housing and built to last.
EASY TO USE W12NEXTGEN MEETS CHALLENGING APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The W12NextGen provides outstanding detection performance even with high ambient light and reliable detection of critical objects. OpticalExperts facilitate detection at high speed, including very dark, shiny, flat, uneven, transparent or perforated objects, and those at different or difficult angles. Equipped with ClearSens for reliable detection of transparent objects and LineSpot for structured and uneven surfaces, W12NextGen sensors perform in even the most challenging environmental conditions, such as extraneous/high ambient light, shock, vibration or high/low temperatures. A new teach-in process, including foreground and background suppression, allows for fast setup on the device, while AutoAdapt technology allows the sensor to adapt to changing conditions. Despite its advanced capabilities, the W12NextGen is simple to order, use and teach. The BluePilot user interface features a push- turn button for easy parameterization or SICK SOPAS software can be used via IO-Link for precise commissioning. An intuitive interface assists with fast installation and configuration, and a range of compatible accessories are
A NEW PHOTOELECTRIC SENSOR FOR SUPERIOR RELIABILITY, ACCURACY AND VERSATILITY
The latest addition to its portfolio from sensor specialist SICK provides reliable, accurate and robust detection in even the most complex and challenging conditions for high performance industrial automation.
available. W12 supports digitization with smart features and rich diagnostic and process data via IO-Link (temperature, distance, receiver level, alarm output, teach quality). Long lasting components and durable metal housing make the W12NextGen the most robust proximity diffuse sensor with TwinEye Technology, providing high chemical, thermal, and mechanical robustness.
W12NEXTGEN BUILDS ON SICK’S PHOTOELECTRIC SENSOR EXPERTISE The iconic W12 has been one of the standout photoelectric sensors. Technological advances have led to an update that takes it to the next level, meeting the needs of OEMs and end users across industry. The robustness and reliability of detection provided by the W12NextGen and the extensive range of variants make it ideally suited to a vast array of sectors, including consumer goods, machine builders, material handling, and automotive OEMs and parts suppliers. W12NextGen is a full range product family, featuring diffuse proximity, retroreflective, and through-beam sensors. Multi-mode sensors (WTM12, WLG12) provide universal application opportunities with one device, meaning a single inventory line and easy setup and commissioning. The ApplicationSelect mode enables hardly imagined ranges on low-remission objects and at large detection angles.
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Applications for the W12NextGen sensor are endless, they vary from detecting water bottles in shrink packaging and detection of filled bottles in wet environments, to tear strip detection on transparent foil, objects in different detection ranges to prevent production line jams, detection of flat, uneven or glossy objects on conveyors, filling level of storage racks for material handling or material infeed, and monitoring of sorter tipping. Meanwhile, the W12NextGen’s digital twin enables OEMs and end users to model and develop whole production lines or machines, and it interacts with PLCs for design and virtual commissioning.
David Hannaby, SICK portfolio sales manager, Presence Detection, says, “Exceptionally good, reliable and robust, the W12 family has led the market for decades. The W12NextGen photoelectric sensor takes an enormously popular and highly successful product to the next level. We have once again applied SICK’s decades of experience in customer-specific projects to innovative, high-end solutions that meet complex industrial requirements. The W12NextGen sensor harnesses technological progress in a single sensor to set new benchmarks in precision and reliability, and deliver uncompromising performance to the most challenging applications.”
SICK
www.sick.com February 2026 Instrumentation Monthly
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