EandM is an authorized SICK distributor serving manufacturers, system integrators, and industrial facilities across the West Coast—California, Oregon, and Washington.
The Two Scanner Families
Both scanner families are anchored by SICK's patented safeHDDM® technology, generating up to 88,000 pulses per revolution compared to roughly 500 pulses on standard traditional laser scanners.
This immense pulse density allows internal digital signal processors to confidently filter out ambient plant floor anomalies like heavy dust particles, localized weld sparks, stray oil mist, and extreme lighting shifts, entirely preventing false line trips. Where they diverge is the form factor and networking depth: the nanoScan3 offers an ultra-compact footprint, while the microScan3 offers longer operational range and safety network flexibility.
nanoScan3
World's Lowest-Profile Safety Scanner
When envelope constraints dictate your machine layouts, this is the solution. Standing just 80 mm tall with a compact 107 mm × 118 mm footprint, you gain safeHDDM® reliability and complex field configurations inside a ultra-miniature hardware build. Ideal for low-slung AMR chassis and tight stationary cells.
microScan3
The Heavy-Duty Industrial Workhorse
When broad scanning coverage and native safety bus integrations drive your specifications, look here. Available in both Core and Pro variants, the microScan3 protects wide fields up to 9 meters and interfaces smoothly with multiple advanced fieldbus environments. Best for massive AGV platforms and multi-zone cells.
Side-by-Side Specifications Matrix
| Technical Parameter |
nanoScan3 |
microScan3 |
| Chassis Height Profile |
80 mm Compact Envelope |
112 mm |
| Max Safe Protective Range |
3 meters |
4 m / 5.5 m / 9 m Extended Range |
| Max Measurement Data Distance |
27 meters |
40 m / 64 m Extended Range |
| Available Physical OSSD Pairs |
0 (Network only) up to 2 pairs |
0 (Network only) up to 4 pairs More Ports |
| Supported Safe Protocols |
Local I/O, EFI-pro, CIP Safety |
Local I/O, EFI-pro, CIP Safety, PROFIsafe, FSoE Full Stack |
| Horizontal Scanning Arc |
275° |
| Max Configurable Field Profiles |
8 fields / 128 fields (depends heavily on variant selection) |
| Max Monitoring Case Loops |
4 / 8 / 128 dynamic cases (depends heavily on variant selection) |
| Base Sensor Response Window |
≥ 70 ms (calculated by localized resolution settings) |
Worth Knowing — Shared Platform Core: The nanoScan3 is engineered directly on the microScan3 firmware platform. It runs the exact same high-precision safeHDDM® pulse engine inside a dramatically streamlined physical package. The structural tradeoffs are restricted to absolute protective range and safety bus protocol options. Crucially, both hardware families interface with simple safety relays, standalone safety controllers, and our centralized EFI-pro network.
Siting Application Profiles
| Target Siting Field |
Recommended Family |
Application Rationale |
| Small AMRs & Mobile Carts |
nanoScan3 |
The 80 mm chassis profile clears clearance spaces that larger housings physically block. Integrated EFI-pro connections eliminate complex multi-conductor cabling paths. |
| Automotive Assembly Lines |
microScan3 |
Demands long protective ranges and concurrent multi-zone safety tracking. safeHDDM® data filtering prevents nuisance line dropouts caused by weld flashes or oil mist. |
| Stationary Robotics Workcells |
nanoScan3 |
Compact footprint fits neatly inside tight collaborative-robot mounts while preserving full warning field, protective field, and edge contour tracking cases. |
| Large Heavy AGV Decks |
microScan3 Pro |
Extended safety zones up to 9 m paired with 128 configurable fields are critical for fast braking profiles. Interfaces directly over PROFIsafe, FSoE, and CIP Safety. |
| Packaging & Palletizers |
Application Dependent |
Both systems comfortably protect hazardous zones around stretch wrappers or stack lines; select the nanoScan3 where machine framing restricts access space. |
The Summary Framework: How to Pick
Choose the nanoScan3 If:
- Your mounting position cannot physically house a standard industrial scanner frame.
- You are engineering low-slung, ultra-compact AMR or mobile shuttle drivetrains.
- A safe protective boundary radius of 3 meters or less covers your hazard calculations.
Choose the microScan3 If:
- Your risk calculations demand clear protective boundaries past 3 meters (up to 9 m).
- You are building larger AGV platforms that require long-distance optical measurement feedback data.
- The safety architecture requires native bus connections over PROFIsafe or FailSafe over EtherCAT (FSoE).
The Only Elite Gold SICK Distributor on the West Coast
Elite Gold is the highest tier of partnership distinction SICK awards its distribution network. EandM is the only West Coast commercial channel to maintain this layer, translating directly to elite product selection support, onshore inventory reservoirs, and technical field assistance across California, Oregon, and Washington facilities since 1955.
Dedicated Safety Specialists on Staff
Local Regional Logistics Reserves
No-Cost Safety Designer Tech Support
Accelerated Commercial Quote Desks
5 Minutes to Green: microScan and nanoScan Siting Guide
Watch our step-by-step video outlining active configuration and mounting changes across both scanner families.
Not Sure Which SICK Scanner Fits Your Application Footprint?
Connect directly with an EandM SICK product specialist today. We will walk through your cell layout parameters, verify warehouse inventory lot availability, and process an exact rapid quote for your lines.
Contact a Safety Specialist