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Datalogic / Datasensing S8 / S8N series machine vision sensor
Datalogic / DatasensingPhotoelectric sensors
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Datasensing S8 / S8N Compact Photoelectric Sensor

S8

The S8/S8N is a compact (14x42x25 mm) photoelectric sensor series spanning through-beam (0-25 m), polarized retroreflective (0.1-5 m), coaxial retroreflective for transparent objects, diffuse proximity (0-500 mm), laser/LED background suppression, contrast (color-mark), and luminescence sensing modes. Light sources include red LED (660 nm), Class 1 red laser (645-665 nm) for spots under 1 mm, RGB LEDs for contrast, and a 375 nm UV LED for luminescence; response time goes down to 20 us with switching frequency up to 25 kHz. It is powered at 12-30 Vdc with PNP or NPN N.O. outputs, or fully configurable PNP/NPN/Push-Pull on IO-Link COM2 V1.1.2 models, and connects via M8 4-pole connector or M12 pigtail. Housings are ABS or AISI 316L stainless steel, rated IP67 (IP69K on stainless-steel S8-M models) for washdown food, beverage, cosmetics and pharmaceutical environments.

Brand
Datalogic / Datasensing
Sensor type
Photoelectric (incl. contrast/color-mark, luminescence variants)
Sensing method
Multiple: through-beam, polarized retroreflective, retroreflective for transparent, diffuse, background suppression, contrast
Light source
Red LED 660 nm / Class 1 red laser 645-665 nm (also RGB LEDs, UV LED 375 nm)
Range / distance
Up to 25 m (through-beam); 0.1-5 m retroreflective; 0-500 mm diffuse; 20-300 mm background suppression
Response time
Down to 20 us (0.02 ms); typ. 50 us-1 ms by model
Switching frequency
Up to 25 kHz (contrast model S8...W13); 500 Hz-10 kHz other models
Output type
pnp_npn (Push-Pull only on IO-Link ...OZ models)
Communication
IO-Link COM2 V1.1.2, 2.3 ms cycle time (dual channel, no jitter)
Supply voltage
12-30 Vdc (reverse-polarity protected, 2 Vpp max ripple)
Connection
M8 4-pole connector, or 150 mm cable + M12 4-pole connector (pigtail)
Housing material
ABS plastic or AISI 316L stainless steel (INOX); window PMMA, lens PC
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Technical overview

The Datasensing S8/S8N is a compact 14 x 42 x 25 mm cubic photoelectric sensor family from Datalogic, and its defining trait is breadth: a single mechanical footprint covers through-beam, polarized retroreflective, coaxial retroreflective for transparent objects, diffuse proximity, laser/LED background suppression, contrast (color-mark), and luminescence sensing. That means an integrator can standardize on one body, one mounting pattern, and one wiring scheme across a machine while choosing the sensing principle that fits each station. Ranges scale with the principle chosen: up to 25 m in through-beam, 0.1-5 m in polarized retroreflective, 0-500 mm in diffuse, and 20-300 mm in background suppression, so the same part-number logic spans long-distance presence detection down to tight near-field edge and gap checks.

The light source determines what the sensor can resolve. A 660 nm red LED handles general presence and proximity, while the Class 1 red laser (645-665 nm) produces a spot under 1 mm for small-part detection, narrow targets, and precise edge triggering where an LED spot would be too diffuse. RGB LEDs drive the contrast (color-mark) variants for registration-mark detection on packaging webs, and a 375 nm UV LED supports luminescence sensing of fluorescing marks or coatings. Speed is matched to the task: response time goes down to 20 us (0.02 ms) and switching frequency reaches 25 kHz on the contrast model (S8...W13), which is the regime needed to catch registration marks on fast-moving film; other models sit in the 500 Hz-10 kHz, 50 us-1 ms band that suits general counting and triggering. As a discrete sensor the S8 returns a switched on/off state rather than a measured distance, so it is wired as a presence detector or trigger source, not as an analog measurement device.

Electrically the S8 runs on 12-30 Vdc with reverse-polarity protection and tolerates up to 2 Vpp ripple, making it forgiving of typical machine supplies. Standard models provide a PNP or NPN normally-open output; the IO-Link (...OZ) models add COM2 V1.1.2 communication with a 2.3 ms cycle time (dual channel, no jitter) and let the output be configured as PNP, NPN, or Push-Pull. IO-Link is the path to remote parameterization, automatic recipe download on device replacement, and diagnostics back to the controller. Connection is via an M8 4-pole connector or a 150 mm cable terminating in an M12 4-pole connector (pigtail). Housings are ABS plastic or AISI 316L stainless steel (INOX) with a PMMA window and PC lens; the plastic versions are rated IP67, and the stainless-steel S8-M models reach IP69K, which together with the food-grade INOX construction is what qualifies them for high-pressure, high-temperature washdown in food, beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical lines. The trade-off is mass: roughly 12 g for connector versions, 50 g for the pigtail, and up to 70 g for the S8-M stainless body. Operating temperature is -10 to +55 C (storage -20 to +70 C).

Best for

  • Long-distance presence and through-feature detection up to 25 m on conveyors, gates, and pallet stations using the through-beam variant
  • Small-part and narrow-target detection or precise edge triggering with the Class 1 red laser delivering a sub-1 mm spot
  • Registration-mark / color-mark detection on fast-moving packaging webs using the RGB contrast model at up to 25 kHz switching
  • Reliable detection of clear and transparent objects (bottles, film, blister packs) via the polarized and coaxial retroreflective modes
  • Washdown presence detection on food, beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical lines using the IP69K AISI 316L stainless-steel S8-M body

Selection notes

  • Pick the sensing principle to the task: through-beam for the longest range (up to 25 m) and most reliable detection, polarized/coaxial retroreflective for transparent objects, diffuse (0-500 mm) for near-field presence, and background suppression (20-300 mm) where you must ignore varying backgrounds.
  • Choose the light source deliberately: the 660 nm red LED suits general detection, the Class 1 red laser (645-665 nm) is for sub-1 mm spots and small targets, RGB is for contrast/color-mark work, and the 375 nm UV LED is specifically for luminescence sensing. The 25 kHz / 20 us speed is tied to the contrast model, not every variant.
  • Decide between standard discrete I/O and IO-Link early. Standard models give a fixed PNP or NPN N.O. output; only the IO-Link (...OZ) models offer configurable PNP/NPN/Push-Pull plus remote setup, recipe download on replacement, and diagnostics over COM2 V1.1.2 at a 2.3 ms cycle time.
  • Match the housing to the environment: ABS at IP67 for general machinery, AISI 316L stainless (S8-M) at IP69K for high-pressure washdown and food/pharma hygiene. Confirm the -10 to +55 C operating window covers your installation.
  • Plan the connection and mass: M8 4-pole connector (about 12 g) for the lightest install versus the M12 pigtail (about 50 g) or the heavier stainless S8-M (up to 70 g). Supply must sit within 12-30 Vdc with no more than 2 Vpp ripple.

Specifications: General
BrandDatalogic / Datasensing
Sensor typePhotoelectric (incl. contrast/color-mark, luminescence variants)

Specifications: Performance
Range / distanceUp to 25 m (through-beam); 0.1-5 m retroreflective; 0-500 mm diffuse; 20-300 mm background suppression
Response timeDown to 20 us (0.02 ms); typ. 50 us-1 ms by model
Switching frequencyUp to 25 kHz (contrast model S8...W13); 500 Hz-10 kHz other models

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationIO-Link COM2 V1.1.2, 2.3 ms cycle time (dual channel, no jitter)
ConnectionM8 4-pole connector, or 150 mm cable + M12 4-pole connector (pigtail)

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage12-30 Vdc (reverse-polarity protected, 2 Vpp max ripple)

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperature-10 ... +55 C (storage -20 ... +70 C)
IP ratingIP67 (IP69K only on AISI 316L stainless-steel S8-M models)

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodMultiple: through-beam, polarized retroreflective, retroreflective for transparent, diffuse, background suppression, contrast
Light sourceRed LED 660 nm / Class 1 red laser 645-665 nm (also RGB LEDs, UV LED 375 nm)

Specifications: Output
Output typepnp_npn (Push-Pull only on IO-Link ...OZ models)

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialABS plastic or AISI 316L stainless steel (INOX); window PMMA, lens PC
Dimensions14 x 42 x 25 mm (compact cubic)
Weight12 g max connector vers.; 50 g pigtail; up to 70 g (S8-M)

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