NEXT-GEN CONFECTIONERY MACHINERY
demand. Bio-based packaging, energy- autonomous systems and closed resource cycles are key areas of development. Data- driven services, predictive maintenance as a service, and flexible production capacities on demand are changing the value chains.. Syntegon is actively shaping this future – through in-house research and development and close dialogue with customers and partners. The aim is to develop technologies that are not only highly innovative, but also economically viable and sustainable. At the core of the Factory of the Future is the intelligent connection between people, machines and data – for efficient, sustainable and future-ready production. This vision is the future that Syntegon is building together with its customers.
Accuracy and versatility Sensor manufacturer SICK has expanded its photoelectric sensor portfolio with the launch of the W12NextGen range, introducing enhanced detection capabilities designed for demanding industrial automation environments, including high-speed confectionery and packaging applications. Announced on 5 December 2025, the
AUTOMATION IS NO LONGER OPTIONAL – IT HAS BECOME A NECESSITY, NOT ONLY TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY, BUT TO SECURE PRODUCTION ALTOGETHER
W12NextGen builds on the established W12 series, which has been widely used across food, consumer goods and manufacturing sectors. According to SICK, the new generation is intended to deliver more reliable and precise object detection under challenging conditions such as high ambient light, vibration, temperature fluctuations and complex product surfaces. The W12NextGen is the first photoelectric
technological expertise, industry know-how and a focus on measurable results.
The Factory of the Future as a Continuous Process The Factory of the Future is not a fixed goal, but rather an ongoing evolution. Autonomous production lines are already a reality in many companies. Self-optimizing processes that independently respond to changing conditions and continuously improve performance are on the verge of a breakthrough. Sustainability will continue to gain momentum – driven by innovative materials, new technologies and growing
sensor from SICK to feature a full digital twin, allowing OEMs and machine builders to simulate sensors during machine design and virtual commissioning. The range also introduces Hybrid LED technology for improved alignment and positioning, along with spot size recognition (SSR) for retro- reflective applications. These features are aimed at improving repeatability and reducing setup times in high-throughput production environments. Designed to handle difficult detection
tasks, the sensors are equipped with SICK’s OpticalExperts technologies, enabling reliable identification of dark, shiny, flat, uneven, transparent or perforated objects, even at high speeds or challenging angles. Additional functions such as ClearSens support the detection of transparent materials, while LineSpot technology is intended for structured or uneven surfaces— common characteristics in confectionery packaging and wrapped products. The W12NextGen range also includes a revised teach-in process with foreground
and background suppression, as well as AutoAdapt functionality, which allows sensors to adjust automatically to changing conditions on the production line. Configuration can be carried out directly on the device using SICK’s BluePilot push-turn interface or via SOPAS software through IO- Link. Diagnostic and process data, including temperature, distance and signal quality, can be accessed to support predictive maintenance and digital production strategies. Housed in a metal enclosure, the
sensors are designed for long-term use in environments exposed to cleaning chemicals, moisture and mechanical stress. SICK says the construction is intended to meet the robustness requirements of food and confectionery processing lines, where uptime and hygiene are critical. The W12NextGen family includes diffuse
proximity, retro-reflective and through- beam variants, as well as multi-mode sensors that combine several detection principles in a single device. This approach is aimed at simplifying inventory management for machine builders and end users, while offering greater flexibility during commissioning and line modifications. Typical applications cited by SICK include detecting wrapped confectionery products on conveyors, monitoring fill levels, identifying transparent films and foils, and preventing line jams by detecting objects at varying distances. The availability of a digital twin also allows sensors to be integrated into virtual line layouts and connected to PLCs during early stages of machine development. Commenting on the launch, David Hannaby, Portfolio Sales Manager for Presence Detection at SICK, said: “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.”
He added that the new range brings
together recent advances in sensor technology to address increasingly complex automation challenges, particularly in applications requiring high precision and reliability. As confectionery production becomes complex and less forgiving
more
of downtime or variability, next- generation machinery is being judged on intelligence and integration as much as mechanical performance.
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025/26 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • 45
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