SICK HL18-P4B3BA Photoelectric Sensor and Reflector

HL18-P4B3BA is a compact retro-reflective photoelectric sensor from SICK’s HL18 Sure Sense line, designed for reliable object detection on conveyor and packaging lines. Housed in a blue M18 body (16.2 mm width × 45.5 mm height × 31.8 mm depth) with side/head mounting (24.1–25.4 mm collar), it operates on 10–30 V DC and provides a PNP output via a 4-pin M12 cable assembly. The sensor employs visible red illumination (631 nm) with a PinPoint LED, and requires a PL80A reflector for operation. Its sensing range extends from 0.03 m to 5 m, with a maximum switching distance up to 6.5 m when used with the reflector, and a light spot of roughly 130 mm × 260 mm at the 6.5 m distance. The PL80A reflector is the recommended companion target for stable retro-reflective sensing. The HL18-P4B3BA is rated for a long service life, approximately 100,000 hours at +25 °C. This combination makes it suitable for detecting cartons, boxes, and other conveying-line items on varied surface finishes, including dark or shiny materials, in industrial environments where compact form factor and straightforward wiring are valued.