These new standard fiber units allow for more stable detection by incorporating the lens units, in addition to easy and reliable installation with the hexagonal shape.

At manufacturing sites, factors that hinder the stable detection capabilities of fiber sensors include accumulation of dust particles on the lenses, which interrupts light, and damage to the fiber cables that was caused by something being tangled in the cables as well as stress on the cables. Fiber units can accidentally be damaged, for example, on sites where the operators' knowledge about the characteristics of optic fiber cables varies. We have a significant number of requests for reliable fiber units, especially from customers who want to expand their presence around the world.

This new fiber unit integrates a lens with the aperture angle of 15 degrees. It helps greatly increase the incident light level even if the emission light level is the same as before, and it realizes stable detection in dusty environments. The build-in lens fiber units are available with a versatile M4 through-beam model and an M6 diffuse-reflective model. These new models do not require the measures to be taken when a lens falls off or is missing due to vibrations, or the torque management when mounting a lens that often occurred on conventional models with external lens attachment, and thus they can contribute to the great reduction of the maintenance workload on site. Moreover, we adopt the hex-shape design for the unit, which enables you to connect cables neatly, and it reduces the risk of cable damage caused by something being entangled in the cables. Anyone can install sensors at ease.

We are planning an expansion of product lineup that fits customers' needs including a retro-reflective model of hex-shaped fiber unit build-in lens series which is ideal for detection of transparent objects in the future.

(*1) A fiber unit is a sensing part of a fiber sensor. The fiber sensor consists of a fiber unit and a fiber amplifier unit.

Main Specifications

Type:                                                     Standard

                            Build-in lens, Through-beam model    Build-in lens, Reflective model

                            E32-LT11N 2M                         E32-LD11N 2M

Size:                       M4                                   M6

Bending radius of cable:    Flexible R2                          Flexible R2

Aperture angle:             15 degrees                           15 degrees

Sensing distance*1, *2

                      SHS:  920 mm                               100 mm

                       HS:  3,450 mm                             360 mm

                      STD:  4,000 mm*3                           520 mm

                     GIGA:  4,000 mm*3                           1,260 mm

Minimum sensing object*1:   0.03 mm dia.                         0.03 mm dia.

Ambient temperature range:  -40 to 70 degrees Celsius            -40 to 70 degrees Celsius

*1. When Smart Fiber Amplifier Unit E3NX-FA is used

*2. The sensing distances of E32-LD11N 2M are for gloss white paper.

*3. The fiber length is 2 m on each side, so the sensing distance is given as 4,000 mm.

About OMRON

Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, OMRON Corporation is a global leader in the field of automation. Established in 1933, Omron has more than 35,000 employees in over 35 countries working to provide products and services to customers in a variety of fields including industrial automation, electronic components, social systems, healthcare, and the environment. The company has regional head offices in Singapore (Asia Pacific), Beijing (Greater China), Amsterdam (Europe, Africa, and the Middle East), Chicago (the Americas), Gurgaon (India), and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

For more information, visit OMRON's website at http://www.omron.com/

Source: OMRON Corporation