SICK at SPS 2026: creating value together

Safety technology, machine vision, and digitalization will be the focus of SICK’s exhibition at SPS 2026, taking place November 24–26, 2026, in Nuremberg. On display will be industrial, customizable safety solutions for the intelligent protection of hazardous points and access points. In addition, innovative code readers and AI-powered machine vision solutions for 2D and 3D quality control will be featured. With SICK’s IIoT platform Sentio, visitors to the booth (Hall 7 A, Booth No. 340) can also experience how scalable, digital solutions can be built for the simple and intuitive integration of IO-Link sensors. Furthermore, SICK demonstrates the added value generated by the networking of sensor data. Track & Traceability solutions also enable seamless material tracking within the flow of goods. In addition, SICK experts will be available to answer visitors’ questions regarding the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). 

This November, the Smart Production Solutions SPS 2026 trade fair—as an inspiration source and innovation platform—will once again showcase the full spectrum of smart and digital automation—from simple sensors to intelligent solutions. “With the guiding principle ‘We create value together,’ we present ourselves as a holistic partner with cross-industry and innovative solution expertise for future-proof automation and digitalization,” says Tobias Güttler, Vice President of Product Management at SICK Vertriebs-GmbH in Düsseldorf. “Whether it’s a single sensor application or a high-performance system solution—we support our customers throughout the entire engineering process and lifecycle of our solutions. In doing so, we work with them to address the current challenges posed by the Machinery Regulation and the Cyber Resilience Act right from the start.”

Customized Safety Solutions for Safe Human-Material Discrimination

Intelligently and efficiently securing hazardous points and access points on machines—this is the challenge addressed by SICK’s safety sensors and individually adaptable safety solutions. For example, the Safe Adaptive Access (SAA) system solution—a non-contact electro-sensitive protective device for material flow systems—monitors the infeed and outlet zones of machines with hazardous movements. Among other features, it offers a safety function for distinguishing between people and material that operates without external signals or sensors. The SAA—which consists of two microScan3 safety laser scanners, a SIM1200 interface, and a FlexiNet safety controller—complies with type 4 / SIL3 / pl d (Performance level and supplement in accordance with the current state of the art per EN ISO 415-8) and is characterized, on the one hand, by the dynamic and automatic adaptation of the protective fields to the height, width, and position of the conveyed goods, e.g., cartons on pallets. As a result, the SAA offers maximum flexibility in implementing sophisticated, flexible, and work-oriented protective measures in automated material-handling plants. 

The DCM4 extension module from SICK provides smart safety functions for deTec4 safety light curtains. The feature set includes smart functions such as blanking (Fixed and Floating Blanking), smart restart interlock, and advanced reduced resolution in the Advanced version. These features increase the productivity of safety light curtains in applications involving safe finger and hand detection. As an alternative to muting, the DCM4’s OPR (Object Pattern Recognition) can safely monitor access to hazardous areas even during active material flow. In addition, it enables reliable differentiation between people and material while the protective field is active, thereby ensuring the safe passage of pallets, transfer cars, and mobile robots.

The new Flexi Net safety controller, certified up to PL e, was developed for stationary and mobile applications in modern machines and networked plants. Its scalable control architecture allows for CPU expansion with up to twelve modules, such as Flexi-IOs and Flexi-Gateways, as well as the networking of multiple machines within a production line. To simplify the implementation of complex applications, Flexi Net supports a configuration of up to 512 function blocks in the logic—with TÜV-certified blocks significantly accelerating validation and thereby reducing the effort required for the intensive conformity assessment. All smart sensors and process peripherals (signal transmitters) can be flexibly integrated into the safety controller—and Safe Motion, via integrated HTL inputs and application-specific function blocks, also meets the requirements of mobile robotics in industrial and logistics processes. 

Other safety topics featured at the SICK booth include realistic simulation and efficient hazardous area safeguarding for mobile robots and vehicles in indoor and outdoor areas through proven safety solutions and intelligent software, as well as safe human-robot interaction through comprehensive safeguarding of robot movements, as well as reliable object identification in pick-and-place processes.

SICK safety technology in line with the MR and CRA

With the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), two sets of regulations relevant to the mechanical engineering and automation industries will come into effect in 2027. The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 primarily addresses safety—that is, the physical and functional safety associated with the placing on the market and operation of machines. However, unlike the previous Machinery Directive, it actively addresses the aspects of software control, artificial intelligence, and networked machines—and, by requiring protection against the corruption of safety-related hardware and software, also sets requirements for cybersecurity. Starting December 11, 2027, the CRA — a second regulation — will become mandatory, establishing minimum standards for the cybersecurity of products with digital elements.

With a mandatory cybersecurity strategy, SICK has been developing products for digital infrastructure for many years that comply with the currently recognized and standards-based state of the art in terms of data security. For all new products with digital elements, SICK follows a CRA-compliant product development process. For SICK’s safety technology products and system solutions, this means that, on the one hand, they meet the functional safety requirements in accordance with their PL and SIL classifications as specified in the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, which will apply from January 20, 2027. With the Flexi Series safety controllers, for example, SICK is a pioneer in implementing the new CRA requirements for industrial automation solutions.

AI-powered quality control with intelligent machine vision solutions 

At SPS 2026, SICK will present SICK Nova 3D, the 3D version of the SICK Nova software platform for machine vision. It enables the evaluation of 3D sensor data without traditional programming, using graphically configurable analysis tools. To do this, SICK Nova 3D uses spatial information for object and quality inspection, such as volume, position, shape, or surface structure. With the help of Nova 3D Intelligent Inspection, AI-based inspection can thus be performed using the 3D data. The software runs on vision solutions such as Ruler3000, Visionary-T Mini, and LMS4000—and thus supports various technologies such as 3D image processing and LiDAR. 

The Lector82x is a compact, image-based code reader for automatic identification in industrial and logistics processes. Its reliable code capture at short reading distances and high depth of field allows it to be used even in confined installation conditions. At the same time, the device ensures seamless integration into automated plants thanks to a sophisticated connection concept, industrial ruggedness, and extensive interfaces.

Sentio by SICK: the IIoT platform for shaping digital transformation

The reliable collection, integration, and analysis of data form the basis for monitoring and improving processes as well as for getting started with the digital transformation. SICK supports companies with the IIoT platform Sentio. Its multi-stage end-to-end concept encompasses efficient engineering and device management as well as the interoperable and seamless integration of SICK hardware and software into existing systems. With its IIoT platform Sentio, SICK reduces the complexity companies face when selecting the right technologies for digitizing processes. With Sentio Integration , for example, scalable digital solutions for the simple and intuitive integration of IO-Link sensors can be created on the basis of the SICK gateway portfolio, including the IO-Link gateway SIG300. Sentio Insights enables the visualization and analysis of sensor data across the entire portfolio, from simple IO-Link sensors to complex track-and-trace solutions. Another example of flexible integration is the SICK CorivaHub. As part of the Sentio portfolio, it serves as a real-time localization system (RTLS) for industrial applications, enabling seamless material tracking within the flow of goods. 

For more information visit: sick.com/

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