Kyoto, Japan -- OMRON Corporation (TSE: 6645, ADR: OMRNY) today announced the release in November of a new group of ZW series confocal fiber displacement sensors.

ZW series confocal fiber displacement sensors:

Controllers with EtherCAT
Sensor heads (2 models with measuring distances of 7 mm and 30 mm)

Following the Sysmac automation platform^*1 launch in July 2011, OMRON further expands the Sysmac lineup with the addition of new confocal fiber displacement sensors with EtherCAT interfaces to the ZW series released in February 2012. Connection with controllers and drive devices, such as servomotors, via ultra-high-speed open network EtherCAT enables flexible, high-speed machine control.
Ultra-compact sensor heads with measuring distances of 7 mm and 30 mm will also be released to enhance the sensor head lineup which currently features 20-mm and 40-mm models.

The Sysmac automation platform has reduced the need for wiring work and has enabled centralized management with one single EtherCAT network allowing connection of the NJ series machine automation controller with vision sensors, AC servomotors/drivers, inverters, and I/O terminals. The addition of the ZW series confocal fiber displacement sensors to the Sysmac automation platform makes machine construction more convenient than ever.

The new sensors will be exhibited at "SPS/IPC/DRIVES" to be held in Germany in November 2012. Please visit the OMRON booth to witness the fast and highly accurate performance of Sysmac Studio software-controlled machines equipped with the ZW series sensors,

*1. Sysmac automation platform
Complete machine control through one software suite and one seamless connection with a variety of I/O devices. Machine and motion programming is fully compliant with IEC 61131-3, and the dedicated software suite features functions such as programming, motion designing, and network setting allowing easy control of all connected devices and freeing users to engage in further production innovation.

OMRON Releases New ZW Series Displacement Sensors for EtherCAT with Compact Sensor Heads