Wenglor has launched the U1KM series, a compact ultrasonic sensor line that packs MEMS transducer technology, IO-Link 1.1 communication, and a 3,000 mm sensing range into what the company calls a "miniature housing." The line targets installations where space is tight, including robotic grippers, conveyor systems, and packaging equipment that larger ultrasonic sensors cannot fit into.
The U1KM detects objects between 50 mm and 3,000 mm away, with distance measurement starting at 250 mm. Because it relies on ultrasonic rather than optical sensing, it can detect transparent, reflective, dark, and irregularly shaped objects regardless of surface finish or ambient light, a common failure point for photoelectric sensors working against shiny or dark targets.
Engineers running multi-sensor lines will care about the U1KM's ability to detect up to five objects simultaneously, plus its support for both multiplex and synchronous operation, which limits interference when several units are mounted close together. That combination can cut the number of sensors a line needs for pallet detection, fill-level monitoring, or stack height measurement.
The sensor communicates over IO-Link 1.1, letting integrators configure settings, pull diagnostic data, and monitor detected objects remotely rather than at the device itself. The same link provides live feedback during setup, making it easier to confirm detection zones without physically rechecking each sensor after mounting.
Wenglor built the U1KM around a MEMS ultrasonic transducer, which the company says improves electromagnetic compatibility while holding sensing performance steady in electrically noisy industrial settings. The series carries an IP62 rating and connects through an M8 four-pin connector, with PNP, NPN, or antivalent PNP switching outputs available to match existing machine control wiring.
The U1KM adds to Wenglor's existing ultrasonic sensor portfolio rather than replacing it, aimed specifically at packaging, logistics, robotics, and machine automation setups where the company's larger ultrasonic housings have not fit. Wenglor has not disclosed pricing or a firm shipping date for the series.
