OMRON Corporation (HQ: Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto. President and CEO: Yoshihito Yamada) announced the global release in October of its new E3AS-HL CMOS Laser Sensor^*2 with the industry-first sensing technology that significantly improves detection capability. Reliable detection of difficult-to-detect targets helps eliminate the need for time-consuming installation design and adjustment at equipment commissioning without dependence on human experience and skills.

E3AS-HL CMOS Laser Sensor using the industry-first sensing technology

In order to satisfy various consumers' needs, products have become more diversified and got shorter life cycles. As a result of advanced equipment and shortage of skilled workers, quick equipment commissioning and stable operation are critical issues at manufacturing sites. Nowadays manufacturing workers need to avoid crowded spaces and close contact with others and refrain from traveling in order to protect them from COVID-19, which leads to greater demand for being independent of experience and skills of people. In order to reduce equipment design and installation time, there is a growing need for reflective photoelectric sensors*3, which are widely used in detection of conveyed objects, because they require no receivers or reflectors. However, since detection using conventional reflective photoelectric sensors is affected by the target color, material, or surface, human experience and skills are required to design and adjust the sensor installation for each target. This issue often arises in the automotive and food industries where various targets with complex shaped and glossy surfaces are detected, and therefore its applications are limited.

The new E3AS-HL CMOS Laser Sensor can reliably detect targets that cannot be detected with reflective photoelectric sensors. Its industry-first sensing algorithm for high-speed sampling at 10,000 times per second and OMRON's unique accumulation processing increases sensitivity by amplifying the slightest amount of light bounced off the target. The manufacturing technology adjusts the receiver lens position in the sensor to the micrometer^*4 level, enabling reliable detection of any target color, material, and shape. These technologies allow the E3AS-HL　Sensor to reliably detect curved and irregular shaped glossy automotive parts and multi-colored and glossy food and packages. The E3AS-HL Sensor can be used where reflective photoelectric sensors were used and helps significantly reduce the time required to adjust the sensor installation position and angle and the threshold values.

OMRON set forth a strategic concept called "innovative-Automation" consisting of three innovations or "i's"--"integrated" (control evolution), "intelligent" (development of intelligence by ICT), and "interactive" (new harmonization between people and machines). OMRON currently has the most comprehensive automation product portfolio in the world that spans the spectrum of ILOR+S (input, logic, output, robotics + safety), providing the foundation for the innovation of manufacturing by the automation. By improving system commissioning and stable operation using the E3AS-HL Sensor, OMRON continues to solve problems at manufacturing sites including labor shortages and accelerates the materialization of "innovative-Automation" together with its client companies.

Features

Reliable detection of difficult objects reduces equipment design and commissioning time
Minimizing the effects of the shapes and surfaces of targets enables reliable detection of the wide variety of targets. The line beam type is more robust against the effects of surfaces. The E3AS-HL Sensor reliably detects automotive parts, food, and packages which were previously difficult to detect, reducing the time required to select a different sensor for each target and adjust the sensors.

Reliable detection of automotive parts with curved and irregular surfaces

Reliable detection of food and packages with irregular shapes and various colors
Increased equipment design flexibility reduces design time
The capability to detect the slightest amount of light bounced off the target allows the E3AS-HL Sensor to be mounted at a wide angle, making design of advanced and complex equipment easy. The E3AS-HL Sensor also eliminates the need for previously required reflectors to detect cans and plastic bottles, facilitating design of multi-lane conveyor lines.

Install regardless of parts shape and angle

Design detection of cans and plastic bottles without reflectors
Antifouling coating on sensing surface ensures stable operation even in harsh environments (Patent Pending^*5)
A dirty sensing surface can cause false detection due to the principle of photoelectric sensors. The E3AS-HL Sensor has an industry-first antifouling coating on the sensing surface which prevents water droplets, oil, and dust from sticking to the sensing surface and keeps the lens from fogging as well. This reduces false detections and cleaning frequency in oil mist, dusty, and steamy environments.
OLED display and teaching enable easy, quick, and optimal setting
The highly visible OLED display and the teaching method allow virtually anyone to set optimal settings without relying on human experience or skills. Moreover, easy-to-read setup menu, at-a-glance detection display, and easy-to-standardize operability make remote instructions simple, which will be helpful even while travel is restricted due to COVID-19.

Wide viewing angle allows reading from an angle

Detected value and threshold level at a glance

Single teach button prevents inconsistent settings

(*1) Industry-first Laser Class 1 CMOS laser sensor equipped with an FPGA. Based on OMRON investigation in September 2020.
(*2) CMOS laser sensor is a type of reflective photoelectric sensor. It uses the triangulation principle and has a laser emitter and CMOS image sensor receiver.
(*3) Photoelectric sensors detect objects (presence or passing) using optical properties. When emitted light is interrupted or reflected by the sensing object, the amount of light that arrives at the receiver changes, and the presence or passing of an object is detected.
Photoelectric sensors are classified into three types.

Through-beam type: The emitter and receiver are installed opposite each other. When a sensing object passing between the emitter and receiver interrupts the emitted light, it reduces the amount of light that enters the receiver. This reduction in light intensity is used to detect an object.　
Retro-reflective type: The emitter and receiver are integrated. Install a reflector on the opposite side. When a sensing object passing between the emitter and reflector interrupts the emitted light, it reduces the amount of light that enters the receiver. This reduction in light intensity is used to detect an object.
Reflective type: Integrated emitter and receiver capture the amount of light reflected when an object passes through and detect it. Installation of the receiver and reflector are not necessary, allowing for greater design flexibility and reduction of installation work.

(*4) Micrometer is one thousandth of a millimeter. 1 micrometer = 0.001 millimeter
(*5) "Patent pending" means that OMRON applied for a patent in Japan, and "Patented" means that OMRON obtained a patent in Japan. (As of August 2019)

About "innovative-Automation"
As a leader in industrial automation, OMRON has extensive lines of control components and equipment, ranging from vision sensors and other input devices to various controllers and output devices such as servomotors, as well as a range of safety devices and industrial robots. By combining these devices via software, OMRON has developed a variety of unique and highly effective automation solutions for manufacturers worldwide. Based on its reservoir of advanced technologies and comprehensive range of devices, OMRON set forth a strategic concept called "innovative-Automation!" consisting of three innovations or "i's": "integrated" (control evolution), "intelligent" (development of intelligence by ICT), and "interactive" (new harmonization between people and machines). OMRON is now committed to bringing innovation to manufacturing sites by materializing this concept.

About OMRON Corporation
OMRON Corporation is a global leader in the field of automation based on its core technology of "Sensing & Control + Think". OMRON's business fields cover a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial automation and electronic components to social systems, healthcare, and environmental solutions. Established in 1933, OMRON has about 30,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in around 120 countries and regions. For more information, visit OMRON's website: http://www.omron.com/

Contact (media):: Brand Communications Department
OMRON Corporation
TEL: +81-75-344-7175
Contact (product information):: Sensor Division, Product Business Division HQ.
Industrial Automation Company
OMRON Corporation
TEL: +81-75-344-7022

OMRON Releases E3AS-HL Laser Sensor Using the Industry-first*1 Sensing Technology That Eliminates Reliance on Experience and Skills