- New Models Connect to Database Directly and Accelerate Leveraging Big Data and IoT at Production Sites -

OMRON Corporation (TSE: 6645, ADR: OMRNY) announced on November 19 that it will release the Database Connection CPU Units NJ101-9020 (number of controlled axes: 0) and NJ101-1020 (number of controlled axes: 2) on December 1 to join the Machine Automation Controllers NJ101-series as controllers to play core roles in manufacturing innovation by leveraging big data and IoT initiated by the site. OMRON will exhibit the NJ101 Database Connection CPU Units at the System Control Fair 2015 to be held at Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center) from December 2 (Wed) to 4 (Fri).

The entry model NJ101-series with a simple hardware performance enables application functionalities and solutions of the Sysmac Automation Platform (*1) to be adopted in existing production equipment and general systems. It was released in April 2015 and has been adopted in existing production equipment and general systems at various production sites.

In addition to the functions of the NJ101-series, the new NJ101 Database Connection CPU Units are also equipped with a function to collect and utilize information at production sites. The Units can be directly connected to a variety of databases including a Microsoft SQL Server without special software or middleware. Users are not required to have ICT-related programming knowledge to construct a system. The programming using ladder language, which is widely used at production sites, enables data utilization in manufacturing processes. The users can start big data utilization and IoT introduction in the manufacturing processes easily on a small scale for productivity enhancement, predictive maintenance, and constructing a quality traceability system by installing the Unit to their existing equipment afterward.

In today's globalized manufacturing environment, diverse and complex challenges arise and need to be overcome. The global market rapidly changes, and companies are under increasing pressure to supply products in a timely manner that satisfies a wide variety of consumer needs. There is an increasing need on a global basis to leverage IoT, big data, and other latest ICT at manufacturing sites. Understanding detailed operating conditions of manufacturing equipment and processes timely is getting increasingly important. Anticipating changes in the needs of manufacturing innovation, OMRON released the NJ501 Database Connection CPU Units in April 2013 to provide solutions for product quality enhancement using large amounts of machine data at production sites and for quick production process improvement. The new NJ101 Database Connection CPU Units enable OMRON to contribute to achieving site-driven "evolving factories". The Units will accelerate big data utilization in a wider range of manufacturing processes and equipment, enhance product quality and productivity, and feed back information to the manufacturing site to prevent a line stop in advance due to equipment or machinery failures.

OMRON adds robotics technology to our advanced, world-leading sensing and control technology cultivated over many years, and merges the two and the latest information technology to evolve automation and to be committed to innovating manufacturing sites with manufacturing companies all over the world who are challenging new manufacturing.  

(Main Features)

The Database Connection CPU Units are equipped with direct connection to a database on the Sysmac Automation Platform in one controller. This provides the following three values.

1. Reliability:     Machine data is directly stored from the control program to a database without omission or leak.

2. High speed:   High-speed connection sends data at a maximum speed of every 20 msec (*2). Machine data can be collected and stored by the control period.

3. Simplicity:     Function blocks provide database connection instructions. Database connection is possible only with the variables and function blocks.

Also, using the Vision System FH-series together enables construction of a system to save machine data linking with inspection images.

(Main Specifications)

- Product name: NJ101 Database Connection CPU Units

- Specifications:

- -I/O capacity/ maximum number of configuration units (maximum number of expansion racks): 2,560 points/40

- -Program capacity: 3 MB

- -Memory capacity for variables:

   0.5MB: Retained during power interruptions.

   2MB: Not retained during power interruptions.

- -Number of motion axes:

   0.5MB: 0

   2MB: 2

- Current consumption (A):

   5 VDC: 1.90

   24 VDC: -

- Model:

   0.5MB:NJ101-9020

   2MB: NJ101-1020

- International standards: UC1,N,L,CE,KC

- Connectable database

- -Microsoft SQL Server

- -Oracle Database

- -IBM DB2

- -MySQL

- -Postgre SQL (Newly supported)

- -Firebird

*1 Sysmac automation platform:

OMRON's latest integrated automation platform is dedicated to providing complete control and management of automation plants under one software. Programming based on global standards and global open networks allows for building the globally standardized system.

At the core of this platform, the Machine Controller series offers synchronous control of all machine devices and advanced functionality such as motion, robotics and database connectivity. This multidisciplinary concept allows you to simplify solution architecture, reduce programming and optimize productivity.

*2 For NJ501 series

(Reference)

OMRON booth location at "System Control Fair 2015": Booth number No.S1-01 at West Hall 1, 1F

The OMRON booth will have three major sections under the concept of "Bring innovation to manufacturing sites by three 'i's, " which are intelligent (information innovation), integrated (control evolution), and interactive (cooperation of human and machines) to propose new value for manufacturing innovation.

Visitors can experience the introduction of our latest approaches to utilize big data at our factory, and displays of the further evolved Sysmac Automation Platform, actual machine models including partner corporations' equipment, and a complex model simulating a production line.

About OMRON Corporation

OMRON Corporation is a global leader in the field of automation based on its core technology of sensing and control. OMRON's business fields cover a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial automation and electronic components to automotive electronic components, social infrastructure systems, healthcare, and environmental solutions. Established in 1933, OMRON has over 39,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in more than 110 countries and regions. In the field of industrial automation, OMRON supports manufacturing innovation by providing advanced automation technologies and products, as well as through extensive customer support, in order to help create a better society. For more information, visit OMRON's website at: http://www.omron.com/

* Sysmac is a trademark or registered trademark of OMRON Corporation in Japan and other countries for OMRON factory automation products.

* Other company names and product names in this document are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.