DavidBrown

This configuration seems to work for me, although I have some questions : 
1) It works perfectly whithout enabling the external encoder. Although I Always thought an external encoder needs to be enabled. Can there still be a good reason to enable the external encoder object, although it seems to work also without enabling?

Yes for me also it's working fine without enable encoder

If you're going to do encoder reference (home) thes it's must required encoder enable

2) For the encodertype I had to select 'Incremental' although I write an aboslute position value to the datablok.

I'm using absolute encoder and I have selected it's as absolute..why you have selected it as incremental ?

Hi DavidBrown,

you only need to enable an external encoder if you want to do passive homing for an incremental encoder. However, since you own an absolute encoder, you can't passive home, so don't mind MC_Power 

The SICK ATM60 is a 13 Bit multiturn encoder. You have to set your encoder type to "Cyclic absolute". Set your fine resolution to 0.

Also for reference here is a good FAQ on how to setup your TO for your external encoder:

How can you realize the encoder configuration for the “positioning axis” technology object?