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Datalogic / Datasensing S40 series machine vision sensor
Datalogic / DatasensingPhotoelectric sensors
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Datalogic / Datasensing S40 Series Miniature Photoelectric Sensors

S40

The S40 series is a family of miniature ABS-housed photoelectric sensors (IP67) offered as an ordering family (S40-...) covering polarised retroreflex (to 2.5 m / laser to 6 m on R2), diffuse proximity (0.5...30 cm), background suppression (15...100 mm) and through-beam models, all with visible red 660 nm LED emission, plus 650 nm red-laser (Class II) variants for proximity, background suppression and retroreflex offering down to 0.2 mm resolution. Detection range and sensitivity are set by an EASYtouch push-button Teach-in or remotely by cable. Outputs are selectable NPN or PNP (100 mA, short-circuit protected) with dark/light programmable operating mode; response time is 0.5 ms (125 us for laser B03/C03) and switching frequency up to 1 kHz (4 kHz laser). Sensors run on 10...30 Vdc with M8 4-pole connector or 2 m cable and operate from -20 to +60 C.

Brand
Datalogic / Datasensing
Sensor type
Photoelectric
Sensing method
Retroreflective (polarised), diffuse proximity, background suppression, through-beam
Light source
Red LED 660 nm / red laser 650 nm (Class II)
Range / distance
Up to 6 m (laser polarised retroreflex on R2); 2.5 m LED retroreflex; 0.5...30 cm diffuse; 15...100 mm background suppression
Response time
0.5 ms (125 us for laser B03/C03 versions)
Switching frequency
1 kHz max (4 kHz for laser B03/C03 versions)
Output type
NPN or PNP, 100 mA max, short-circuit protected
Resolution
0.2 mm on focus point (laser proximity / background suppression); 1 mm laser retroreflex
Supply voltage
10...30 Vdc, reverse polarity protection
Connection
4-pole M8 connector or 2 m Ø3.5 mm cable
Housing material
ABS housing, PMMA lens
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Technical overview

The S40 is not a single sensor but a miniature cubic photoelectric family from Datalogic, packed into a 32 x 20 x 12 mm ABS housing with a PMMA lens and rated IP67. Because it is offered as an ordering family, the same body covers four distinct optical principles: polarised retroreflective, diffuse proximity, background suppression, and through-beam. That choice is the most important design decision you make. Polarised retroreflex (with a reflector) reaches 2.5 m on the red 660 nm LED versions and up to 6 m on the 650 nm Class II laser R2 variant, and is the workhorse for detecting any opaque object crossing a beam. Diffuse proximity (0.5 to 30 cm) sees the target directly without a reflector but is sensitive to surface colour and finish, while background suppression (15 to 100 mm) ignores whatever sits behind the target -- the right pick when a part must be detected against a busy or reflective backstop. Through-beam, with separate emitter and receiver, gives the longest and most reliable detection of opaque objects and is the most forgiving of dirt and surface variation.

As a switching device, the S40 is built to act as a trigger rather than a measurement instrument. Response time is 0.5 ms with a switching frequency up to 1 kHz, dropping to 125 us and 4 kHz on the laser B03/C03 versions -- fast enough to flag small parts or gaps on a moving line and to hand a clean edge to a PLC or a vision system's external trigger input. The output stage is selectable NPN or PNP, rated 100 mA and short-circuit protected, with a programmable dark/light operating mode so you can invert the active state in software instead of rewiring. Setup is done at the sensor: an EASYtouch push-button Teach-in captures the detection range and sensitivity, and the same teach can be driven remotely over the cable, which matters when the sensor ends up in a position you cannot easily reach by hand.

The laser variants change what this family is good for. A 650 nm red laser (Class II) is available on the proximity, background-suppression and retroreflex models, tightening the spot to a resolution of 0.2 mm on the focus point for proximity and background suppression (1 mm on laser retroreflex). That fine spot lets the S40 catch small features, narrow leads, thin edges or precise part-present/part-absent conditions that a wide LED beam would smear over. Electrically it is undemanding: 10 to 30 Vdc with reverse-polarity protection, a 4-pole M8 connector or a 2 m cable, and an operating range of -20 to +60 C. At 10 g for the connector version it is light enough to mount on moving tooling, grippers or tight fixtures where a larger barrel sensor would not fit.

Best for

  • Part-present / part-absent triggering on packaging and assembly lines, where the 0.5 ms response and 1 kHz switching keep up with fast indexing
  • Using the laser background-suppression or proximity model (0.2 mm focus-point resolution) to detect small features, thin edges or narrow leads against a cluttered backstop
  • Long-reach object detection in logistics and sortation using polarised retroreflex (to 2.5 m LED, 6 m laser R2) with a reflector, or through-beam for the most reliable opaque-object detection
  • Washdown-adjacent packaging and food-and-beverage stations where the IP67 ABS housing and -20 to +60 C range hold up
  • Mounting on moving tooling, grippers or space-constrained fixtures thanks to the 32 x 20 x 12 mm cubic body and 10 g connector version

Selection notes

  • Pick the optical principle first: retroreflex needs a reflector and gives long reach; diffuse proximity needs no reflector but is sensitive to target colour and finish; background suppression rejects a busy backstop; through-beam (separate emitter/receiver) is the most reliable for opaque parts. The S40 ordering code, not a setting, determines this.
  • Choose LED versus laser by spot size and range: red 660 nm LED suits general detection to 2.5 m retroreflex, while the 650 nm Class II laser tightens the spot to 0.2 mm resolution and extends polarised retroreflex to 6 m on R2 -- but as a Class II laser it carries eye-safety handling considerations.
  • Match the output to your controller: NPN or PNP is selectable and rated 100 mA short-circuit protected, with a programmable dark/light mode, so plan the load and the active-state logic up front rather than rewiring later.
  • Decide on connectorisation: the 4-pole M8 connector version is 10 g and serviceable, while the 2 m cable version is heavier (up to 40 g) and fixed; the EASYtouch teach can be triggered remotely over the cable when the mounting position is hard to reach.
  • Confirm the environment fits the ratings: IP67 and an ABS housing with PMMA lens suit packaging and food-beverage washdown-adjacent zones, but the -20 to +60 C operating window and plastic optics should be checked against high-heat, aggressive-chemical or high-pressure washdown stations.

Specifications: General
BrandDatalogic / Datasensing
Sensor typePhotoelectric

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceUp to 6 m (laser polarised retroreflex on R2); 2.5 m LED retroreflex; 0.5...30 cm diffuse; 15...100 mm background suppression
Response time0.5 ms (125 us for laser B03/C03 versions)
Switching frequency1 kHz max (4 kHz for laser B03/C03 versions)
Resolution0.2 mm on focus point (laser proximity / background suppression); 1 mm laser retroreflex

Specifications: Interface
Connection4-pole M8 connector or 2 m Ø3.5 mm cable

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage10...30 Vdc, reverse polarity protection

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperature-20 to +60 C (storage -20 to +80 C)
IP ratingIP67

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodRetroreflective (polarised), diffuse proximity, background suppression, through-beam
Light sourceRed LED 660 nm / red laser 650 nm (Class II)

Specifications: Output
Output typeNPN or PNP, 100 mA max, short-circuit protected

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialABS housing, PMMA lens
Dimensions32 x 20 x 12 mm (miniature cubic)
Weight10 g max (connector version); 40 g max (cable version)

Frequently asked questions

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