SICK VL18L-4P324 Retroreflective Photoelectric Sensor

The SICK VL18L-4P324 is a retroreflective photoelectric sensor in the V18 family that detects targets at practical distances up to 30 m using a laser light source. It provides a PNP switching output through a 4-pin M12 connector and operates on a 10–30 V DC supply, making it compatible with common industrial control circuits. Built for demanding environments, the device is IP67 rated and uses a Class 1 laser for safe operation. A dual-lens system supports reliable sensing with a reflector while enabling optimized minimum-distance performance, and it offers light/dark switching with teach-in adjustment for quick setup. The VL18L-4P324’s cylindrical form factor and rugged construction suit space-constrained installations on conveyors, packaging lines, and other automated systems where retroreflective sensing of reflective labels, cards, or metal parts is required. Typical applications include parts-present/absent detection on conveyors, pallet or stack detection in sorting lines, and packaging verification where a retroreflective target is used to generate a stable return signal.