SICK 6048404 UM18-218126111 4–20 mA Ultrasonic Distance Sensor

Technical Overview

The SICK UM18-218126111 is a straight-axis M18 ultrasonic distance sensor with a 120–1,000 mm operating range and separate 1,300 mm limiting range. Its typical 200 kHz transducer provides distance feedback through one teachable, invertible 4–20 mA output with 12-bit analog resolution. Temperature compensation supports the specified ±1% measurement accuracy, referenced to the current reading, while target reflectivity, size and alignment determine the detection area. Response is 80 ms with a 20 ms output time; subsequent analog smoothing can increase response time. An M12 five-pin plug connects supply, analog signal and multifunction input for teaching, synchronization or multiplexing. The nickel-plated brass housing provides IP65/IP67 protection and green/orange indication on a 10–30 V DC supply.

Straight M18 ultrasonic sensor with 120–1,000 mm operating range, teachable 4–20 mA output, temperature compensation and M12 five-pin plug.

Key Features

120–1,000 mm operating range; 1,300 mm limiting range

Typical ultrasonic frequency 200 kHz; straight sending axis

Resolution ≥0.069 mm; ±0.15% repeatability subject to stated conditions

±1% measurement accuracy relative to current reading; temperature compensation

One teachable, invertible 4–20 mA output; 12-bit analog resolution

Load ≤500 Ω; at supply ≤20 V, load limited to ≤100 Ω

80 ms response; 20 ms output time; analog smoothing can increase response

Multifunction input for external teach, synchronization and multiplexing

M18 × 1 nickel-plated brass housing; M12 five-pin plug; IP65/IP67

10–30 V DC; ≤1.2 W without load; −25 to +70 °C operation

Technical Specification Matrix

Parameter	Value
Functional principle	Ultrasonic distance measurement
Operating range	120–1,000 mm
Limiting range	1,300 mm
Detection-area conditions	Range depends on object reflection properties, size and alignment; diagram examples use aligned 500 × 500 mm plate and Ø27 mm pipe
Resolution	≥0.069 mm
Repeatability	±0.15% of current measured value; minimum value ≥resolution
Measurement accuracy	±1% of current measured value
Temperature compensation	Provided; can be disabled; uncompensated drift 0.17%/K
Response time	80 ms; subsequent analog smoothing may increase response time by up to 200%, depending on application
Output time	20 ms
Typical ultrasonic frequency	200 kHz
Analog output	One 4–20 mA current output; teachable and invertible; 12-bit resolution
Analog load	≤500 Ω; when supply ≤20 V, maximum load ≤100 Ω
Multifunction input	One MF: external teach, synchronization, multiplexing; Connect+ communication shown in connection diagram
Synchronization	Up to 20 sensors, as specified in current exact datasheet
Multiplexing	Up to 20 sensors without cross talk under configured multiplex operation
Reset	Factory-default reset supported
Power supply	10–30 V DC; reverse-polarity protected; Class 2 short-circuit-protected network, maximum 8 A
Power consumption	≤1.2 W without load
Initialization time	<300 ms
Indication	Two LEDs: green supply, orange switching/analog output
Protection class	III
Housing design	Cylindrical; straight sending axis
Mounting thread	M18 × 1
Housing material	Nickel-plated brass; transducer polyurethane foam and glass epoxy resin
Mounting detail	Fixing nuts, 24 mm across flats; drawing axial length 52.7 mm
Connection	M12 five-pin male connector
Pin assignment	1 BN=L+; 2 WH=QA; 3 BU=M; 4 BK=not assigned; 5 GY=MF
IP rating	IP65 / IP67
Operating temperature	−25 to +70 °C
Storage temperature	−40 to +85 °C
MTTFD	101 years
DCavg	0%
Physical Weight (kg)	0.025

Parameter

Value

Functional principle

Ultrasonic distance measurement

Operating range

120–1,000 mm

Limiting range

1,300 mm

Detection-area conditions

Range depends on object reflection properties, size and alignment; diagram examples use aligned 500 × 500 mm plate and Ø27 mm pipe

Resolution

≥0.069 mm

Repeatability

±0.15% of current measured value; minimum value ≥resolution

Measurement accuracy

±1% of current measured value

Temperature compensation

Provided; can be disabled; uncompensated drift 0.17%/K

Response time

80 ms; subsequent analog smoothing may increase response time by up to 200%, depending on application

Output time

20 ms

Typical ultrasonic frequency

200 kHz

Analog output

One 4–20 mA current output; teachable and invertible; 12-bit resolution

Analog load

≤500 Ω; when supply ≤20 V, maximum load ≤100 Ω

Multifunction input

One MF: external teach, synchronization, multiplexing; Connect+ communication shown in connection diagram

Synchronization

Up to 20 sensors, as specified in current exact datasheet

Multiplexing

Up to 20 sensors without cross talk under configured multiplex operation

Reset

Factory-default reset supported

Power supply

10–30 V DC; reverse-polarity protected; Class 2 short-circuit-protected network, maximum 8 A

Power consumption

≤1.2 W without load

Initialization time

<300 ms

Indication

Two LEDs: green supply, orange switching/analog output

Protection class

III

Housing design

Cylindrical; straight sending axis

Mounting thread

M18 × 1

Housing material

Nickel-plated brass; transducer polyurethane foam and glass epoxy resin

Mounting detail

Fixing nuts, 24 mm across flats; drawing axial length 52.7 mm

Connection

M12 five-pin male connector

Pin assignment

1 BN=L+; 2 WH=QA; 3 BU=M; 4 BK=not assigned; 5 GY=MF

IP rating

IP65 / IP67

Operating temperature

−25 to +70 °C

Storage temperature

−40 to +85 °C

MTTFD

101 years

DCavg

Physical Weight (kg)

0.025

Industrial Applications

1. Monitoring the diameter of a wound material roll

A winding station can aim the ultrasonic axis at the roll surface and feed the 4–20 mA signal into external diameter-calculation logic. The controller converts the taught distance span using the installed geometry. Setup keeps the surface within 120–1,000 mm, verifies the actual target response and selects control timing using the 80 ms response and any configured analog smoothing.

Problem Solved

A taught surface-distance signal gives external winding control a roll-size reference, helping track changing material diameter as the roll builds or unwinds.

Roll diameter 4–20 mA External calculation

2. Measuring the position of a slowly moving panel

A handling fixture can present a sufficiently reflective panel along the straight ultrasonic axis and send its distance value to an external analog input. The taught output span maps the required travel interval to 4–20 mA. Commissioning assesses panel size and alignment, the ±1% accuracy relative to the current reading, and the analog-input load at the selected supply voltage.

Problem Solved

An analog distance value gives external handling control a panel-position reference, helping monitor slow travel relative to the installed sensor without mechanical contact.

Panel position Taught span Analog load

3. Coordinating adjacent ultrasonic measurement points

A machine with adjacent compatible measurement points can use the multifunction inputs for configured synchronization or multiplexing. The current exact datasheet supports up to 20 sensors and describes multiplexing without mutual cross talk. External acquisition schedules each 4–20 mA observation for the chosen operating arrangement, accounting for the output time and application-dependent analog smoothing.

Problem Solved

Coordinated ultrasonic operation separates neighboring measurement activity, helping external acquisition obtain distance signals from several configured sensing points with reduced mutual acoustic interference.

Adjacent sensors Synchronization Multiplexing