microScan3 Safety Laser Scanner

Overview

The SICK microScan3 represents the third generation of SICK's safety laser scanning technology, incorporating safeHDDM (safe High-Definition Distance Measurement) — a time-of-flight measurement system that fires multiple laser pulses per angular step and uses statistical evaluation to distinguish real objects from dust, steam, or ambient light artefacts. This makes the microScan3 significantly more resistant to false trips in challenging environments (welding spatter, paint mist, paper dust) compared to first-generation safety scanners that used single-pulse amplitude detection.

With 275° scan angle and a protective field range of up to 9 metres, a single microScan3 can guard large robot cells or AGV paths without the blind spots associated with shorter-range scanners requiring multiple overlapping devices. Up to 128 configurable protection and warning field sets can be stored in the scanner and switched dynamically via discrete I/O or safe fieldbus — allowing the AGV's speed-dependent protective field size to shrink as the vehicle slows, maximising throughput while maintaining SIL 2 safety integrity at all speeds.

The microScan3 Core variant offers direct OSSD (Output Signal Switching Device) outputs for simple relay chain integration. The microScan3 Pro adds EtherNet/IP and PROFINET safe fieldbus interfaces, enabling direct integration with Allen-Bradley GuardLogix or Siemens S7-1500F without intermediate relay modules. SICK's Safety Designer software manages field set configuration, validation, and documentation generation for the safety assessment submission.

Key Features

• safeHDDM — Ambient-Light Immune Detection — Multi-pulse statistical measurement rejects single-photon noise from sunlight, welding arcs, and other scanners operating in proximity. Unlike amplitude-based scanners that can false-trip on reflective tape or shiny floors, safeHDDM detects the 4 cm × 4 cm minimum object (leg diameter for human detection per IEC 61496-3) reliably in glossy or low-contrast floor conditions.
• 128 Switchable Field Sets — AGV Speed Adaptation — Store up to 128 combinations of protection and warning fields. For AGVs, configure field sets for: straight travel (long narrow field), cornering (wider side fields), and reverse (rear field). Switch field sets using 5 digital inputs (32 combinations) or via EtherNet/IP implicit messaging. Field switching time is certified safe at <120 ms.
• MTTF 100 Years — Electrolytic-Free Design — SICK's design philosophy for the microScan3 targets MTTF (Mean Time To Failure) of 100 years at 40°C ambient, eliminating electrolytic capacitors that are the primary life-limiting component in most electronics. This dramatically reduces scheduled replacement intervals in plants running continuous 3-shift production.
• SICK Safety Designer — Integrated Validation — Safety Designer's drag-and-drop field drawing tool, automatic stopping distance calculation (ISO 13855), and integrated documentation generator reduce commissioning time significantly. The tool automatically computes the minimum safety distance from response time + braking time and draws the required protective field boundary — eliminating manual distance calculations that are a common source of compliance errors.

Technical Specifications

Application Areas

• Collaborative robot (cobot) cell perimeter guarding
• Autonomous mobile robot (AMR/AGV) speed-dependent guarding
• Press brake and bending machine rear guarding
• Stationary machine access area guarding (replacing fixed fencing)
• Conveyor transfer point pedestrian detection
• Warehouse loading dock truck presence detection