Description
The SICK GL6-N4112 (SICK internal p/n 1050778) is a GL6 series miniature photoelectric sensor — one of the most compact industrial photoelectric sensors on the market, measuring just 11 mm × 31 mm × 20 mm (W×H×D). The GL6 family is Sick’s answer to tight-space detection where a standard M18 or M12 sensor won’t fit — think small parts feeders, PCB assembly, labeling machines, pharmaceutical packaging.
- GL6-N4112 decoding: GL6 = miniature series (11mm wide — “slim as a finger”); N = Diffuse mode with Background Suppression (BGS) — this is the key: N-variant uses a triangulation-based BGS chipset (Sick’s “HTR” high-resolution tech) that reliably detects small objects even against highly reflective backgrounds (e.g., detecting a black O-ring on a shiny stainless chute). 4112 = specific output/connector config: PNP output, Light-on/Dark-on switchable via cabling (wiring pin 2/3 swap — Sick GL6 typical), M8 4-pin male connector (vs cable-out variant which would be “L” suffix). Sensing range for N (BGS) variant: typically 30–250 mm adjustable (some sources say 40–260 mm for GL6-N) — precise range depends on target reflectivity; BGS cutoff is fixed at ~260 mm (background ignored beyond that).
- 1050778 = Sick’s internal 8-digit material number cross-referencing to GL6-N4112 — both appear on the label; buyers searching by 1050778 (from old invoice/spare list) will land here.
Key differentiator vs competitors (e.g., Keyence PZ-G / Omron EE-SX): GL6 uses HTR (High-Resolution Triangulation Receiver) chip — 3× higher excess gain than previous G6 series, meaning it can detect low-contrast objects (dark rubber on dark belt, thin wires, clear PET bottles) that would fool cheaper sensors. Also has IO-Link ready on some GL6 variants (not all — N4112 is M8 4-pin, check if IO-Link: GL6-N4112 spec sheet says “IO-Link V1.1” on M8 4-pin — yes, the PNP M8-4pin GL6-N4112 is IO-Link capable via Sick’s SDLP protocol or standard IO-Link V1.1 — can push diagnostics (excess gain, contamination warning) to PLC).
Key Features
- Series: GL6 miniature — 11 mm width (W) × 31 mm (H) × 20 mm (D) — fits where M12/M18 can’t
- Detection Mode: Diffuse with Background Suppression (N suffix) — triangulation BGS, reliable on low-contrast / reflective-bg
- Sensing Range: ~ 30–250 mm (BGS cutoff ~260 mm) — adjustable via potentiometer
- Output: PNP, Light-on/Dark-on switchable (pin 2/3 swap)
- Connection: M8 4-pin male connector (vs cable-out “L” variant)
- IO-Link: V1.1 capable (via M8 4-pin — diagnostics: excess gain, contamination warning)
- Light Source: Red LED (visible — aids alignment), 660 nm
- Protection: IP67, IP66 (front acrylic lens rated IP67; rear M8 connector IP67 mated)
- Country of Origin: Germany (Sick AG)
Technical Specifications (GL6-N4112 / 1050778 — Diffuse BGS, PNP, M8 4-Pin)
Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
Model / Order Code | GL6-N4112 (Sick p/n 1050778) |
Series | GL6 (miniature photoelectric — 11 mm wide) |
Detection Principle | Diffuse with Background Suppression (triangulation BGS — HTR high-res receiver) |
Sensing Range | 30–250 mm (adjustable pot); BGS fixed cutoff ~260 mm (background beyond ignored) |
Light Source | Red LED, 660 nm (visible — alignment aid) |
Light Spot (typical) | ~ Ø8 mm at 200 mm (small spot for precise detection) |
Supply Voltage | 10–30 V DC |
Output Type | PNP (Light-on / Dark-on switchable via wiring: pin 2=+L/+D, pin 3=0V/D− — swap for LO/DO) |
Output Current | ≤ 100 mA |
Switching Frequency | 1 kHz (typical — fast enough for small-part high-speed feed) |
Response Time | ≤ 0.5 ms (typical) |
Connection | M8 4-pin male connector (straight) — mates with M8 4-pin female cable (sold separately — e.g., Sick YF2A-A-L1A-0500V0000M) |
IO-Link | V1.1 capable (diagnostics: excess gain, contamination warning, operating hours) |
Indicators (LED) | Power (green), Output (yellow), Stability (orange — blinks on marginal excess gain) |
Housing Material | PBT (front), PC (rear) — chemical resistant (ISO 16750-5 tested) |
Lens Material | Acrylic (PMMA) — IP67 front face |
Mounting | M3 screw holes (2×) on rear + side — optional GL6 bracket (sold sep.: GL6-BKT1 / GL6-BKT2) |
Dimensions (W×H×D) | 11 mm × 31 mm × 20 mm |
Weight | ~ 15 g |
Protection Class | IP67, IP66 (front), IP65 (rear mated) |
Operating Temp. | -25 … +60 °C |
Standards | CE, UL, cUL, RoHS |
Country of Origin | Germany (Sick AG) |
⚠️ GL6 Suffix Decoder (quick):GL6 – [mode] [output] [connector]
Mode: N = Diffuse BGS; P = Retro-reflective (polarized); L = Through-beam (emitter/receiver pair — GL6-L is through-beam, needs GL6-… emitter + receiver); F = Foreground suppression (some variants) Output: 4112 = PNP (4××× = PNP; 2××× = NPN — cross-check: Sick GL6: 1=NPN cable, 2=PNP cable, 3=NPN M8, 4=PNP M8 — so 4112 = PNP + M8 4-pin, yes) Connector: 1/2 = cable-out; 3/4 = M8 4-pinSo GL6-N4112 = N(BGS) + 4(PNP) + 1(M8 4-pin) + 2(variant index) — actually 4112: 4=PNP, 1=M8-4pin, 12=index; compared to GL6-N2112 = NPN + M8-4pin. There’s also GL6-N1111 = NPN + cable 2m; GL6-N4111 = PNP + cable 2m; GL6-N4112 = PNP + M8-4pin (this one).
Warranty & After-Sales
- Factory new units: 12 months warranty
- Refurbished units: 3-6 months warranty (power-up + target sweep 30–250mm → verify switch + Stability LED margin)
- Technical support for:
- GL6 suffix decode (N=BGS / P=polarized retro / L=through-beam; 4=PNP M8, 2=PNP cable, 1=NPN cable, 3=NPN M8)
- M8 cable selection (needs M8 4-pin female — e.g., Sick YF2A series, or generic M8-4pin A-coded; pinout: 1=+V, 3=0V, 4=OUT, 2=L+/D+ for LO/DO swap — verify with supplied wiring diagram)
- Light-on/Dark-on switch (pin 2 vs 3 wiring — no DIP, purely wiring)
- BGS range adjustment (pot on side — turn to set detection distance; Stability LED orange blink = excess gain marginal → reduce range or clean lens)
- IO-Link integration (if using with S7-1200/1500 + IO-Link master like Sick SIG250 or third-party — push excess gain/contamination diagnostics)
- Mounting brackets (GL6-BKT1 side-mount, GL6-BKT2 rear-mount — space is tiny, bracket helps)
- Optional: M8 4-pin cable (YF2A-A-L1A-0500V0000M 0.5m / YF2A-A-L1A-0100V0000M 1m / YF2A-A-L1A-0200V0000M 2m), GL6-BKT1/BKT2 bracket, alternative GL6 variants (N1111/N2112/P4112/L-through-beam pair)
Delivery Time
- Standard delivery: 3-5 working days (stock NOS)
- Express shipping available upon request
Why Choose Our Store
- Genuine Sick GL6 series — not aftermarket (HTR chipset & BGS triangulation calibration critical — generics fail on low-contrast)
- Global supply network with competitive pricing on Sick miniature photoelectrics
- Expertise in GL6 system (suffix decode N/P/L, M8 cable pinout, BGS pot adjust, Stability LED interpretation, IO-Link diagnostics)
- Comprehensive technical documentation (GL6 11mm outline dwg, M8-4pin pinout, BGS adjust procedure, IO-Link SIData screenshot)
- Responsive customer service and support
Applications
- Small Parts Feeders / Vibratory Tracks: 11mm width fits inside narrow bowl feeder tooling — detect tiny components (screws, contacts, pills) via BGS (ignore shiny bowl background).
- Labeling / Packaging Machines: Detect label gap or translucent film on shiny backing — N-variant BGS handles glossy substrate.
- PCB / Electronics Assembly: Detect small components on conveyor — HTR chip sees low-contrast (black SMD on green PCB).
- Pharma / Medical Device: Pill/capsule detection in blister, vial presence — IP67 + chemical-resistant housing (PBT/PC).
- Robotic Pick Cells (tight gripper mount): M8 4-pin + 15g weight + 11mm width — can mount on robot wrist or gripper fingers (where M12 is too bulky). IO-Link gives contamination warning (dust on lens → PLC alert before missed detection).





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