- Realizes Stable Operation of Equipment through Precise Detection of Various Objects, Including Shiny, Black, and Transparent Ones -

OMRON Corporation, based in Kyoto, Japan, globally launched the Light Convergent Reflective Sensor "B5W-LB series" which can be embedded in industrial equipment. The "B5W-LB series" adopts OMRON's unique lens structure combining four types of aspherical lenses and realizes stable detection with a wide sensing range regardless of colors and materials such as shiny, black, and transparent surface.

(Image1: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201907269140/_prw_PI1im_U3l5LLMB.jpg)

Recently, advances have been made in a wide range of industrial equipment such as packagers and coffee makers, and they have become increasingly sophisticated and multifunctional. As a result, needs are growing for sensors that can accurately detect products without being affected by the design of containers and packages. Conventional reflective sensors (*1) embedded in equipment have been adopted on the premise that detection is carried out under specific conditions based on the color and material of the object to be detected. However, there was a problem of unstable detection when the object was changed or added.

By adopting the means of "detection by the light convergent reflective method" (*2) that has been used for sensors mainly for factory manufacturing facilities, "B5W-LB series" sensors are not affected by a change of object color and/or material, contributing to a reduction of malfunctions. On the other hand, sensors using the light convergent reflective method have a narrower range of distance for detecting an object, and may overlook a product that is not in its predetermined position. The "B5W-LB series" sensors adopted OMRON's unique lens structure combining four types of aspheric lenses, ensuring a wider detection range and allowing stable detection even if product positions vary.

OMRON will continue to actively promote research and development to realize automation of various applications with sensors, contributing to solving customers' problems.

Major Applications:

https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201907269140/_prw_PI2fl_azQz0LQK.jpg

Main Features

- Stable detection of mirror, black, and transparent objects. No need for a setting change for each object to be detected, contributing to higher usability.

- Reliable detection of an object regardless of its color and/or background, reducing malfunction and contributing to customer satisfaction.

- OMRON's proprietary lens structure combining four types of aspheric lenses ensures a wide detection range which is less susceptible to an object's positional shift, and contributes to stable operation of equipment.

(Image2: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201907269140/_prw_PI3fl_mqySM5cJ.jpg)

Release date

Japan: June 2019

Global: July 2019

Notes:

(*1) A sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object by emitting light to the object and receiving the reflected light

(*2) Principle of light convergent reflective sensor

The sensor receives light reflected from an object to be detected for detection of the presence of the object. It has an optical system that limits the emitting beam and the light-receiving area, and detects only an object at a certain distance from itself (the overlapping area of the emitting beam and the light-receiving area).

(Image3: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201907269140/_prw_PI4fl_yMW9y87h.jpg)

About OMRON Corporation

As a leading company of automation focusing on "Sensing & Control + Think," OMRON is currently engaged in a wide range of businesses including industrial automation, electronic and mechanical components, automotive electronic components, social systems, solutions and service, healthcare, and environment solutions, among others. Founded in 1933, OMRON now has approximately 35,000 employees worldwide and provides products and services in 117 countries. It is headquartered in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, western Japan, and its CEO is Yoshihito Yamada.

For details please visit: https://www.omron.com/