Product category:
Vision and Colour Sensors
News Release from: Omron Electronics | Subject: E3X-DAN fibre optic amplifier
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 25 December 2000
New amplifier adds more to fibre optic
sensor
Omron has produced a highly flexible amplifier for fibre optic sensing heads, building in a host of innovative features and providing an analogue output in addition to the standard digital one
Omron has produced a powerful and highly flexible amplifier for fibre optic sensing heads, building in a host of innovative features and providing an analogue output in addition to the standard digital output, whilst still being cost competitive with standard amplifiers In common with the previous generation sensor, a key feature of the E3X-DAN is the provision of analogue output, which is provided in addition to the NPN or PNP digital output, making the sensor a highly flexible option
In addition, the E3X-DAN builds in a host of innovative new features including an Auto Power Control (APC) function which guarantees stable detection over time.
In all photoelectric sensors, the incident level of the LED will deteriorate with time, and with traditional designs this results in detection eventually becoming unstable.
Omron has solved this problem by applying APC circuits in the fibre head, which continually monitors the LED output and steadily increases the power over time to maintain stable operation.
This makes the E3X-DAN ideal for applications where a high degree of sensitivity is required.
Another industry first is the provision of a zero reset function.
Using this function, the digital display value can be instantaneously reset to zero whenever required.
By setting reference values to zero, threshold settings can be made while monitoring differences in incident level.
Also, if the threshold has already been set, when the zero reset is executed the threshold with shift at the same time.
Other features include an initial reset function which provides a simple method for restoring factory settings, and a monitor focus function, which allows the voltages used for monitor output to be changed between 1V and 5V.
A further innovation is a new connector option which requires only one power line to be connected via a master cable, and which allows up to 15 further devices to be slaved off this single supply.
This not only significantly reduces wiring effort, it also allows space to be used more efficiently and reduces costs.
Any possibility of mutual interference when a number of amplifiers are close mounted is eliminated by the use of optical communications.
Programming of E3X-DAN sensors has been simplified with the introduction of a mobile programming console.
Note only does this allow setting and teaching operations to be formed where the action is at the tip of the fibre rather than from the amplifier, it also allows simultaneous tuning of a group of amplifiers, saving time in setup.
In addition, settings can be quickly copied to other groups.
The remote console incorporates a full set of operation keys and function indicators, as well allowing incident level and threshold level to be displayed simultaneously.
The console is fully programmable with a range of functions, including a function lock feature, which disables any functions that are not required.
Whilst the amplifier itself is highly compact, it builds in the largest LED display of any competing amplifier, giving a 6mm character height.
The E3X-DAN also offers three display modes, allowing users to toggle between a digital incident level display, a digital percent display or an analogue display.
In all cases, the display can be 'flipped' allowing it to be easily read regardless of what orientation the amplifier is mounted in.
Users can select from three high performance modes of operation, including super-long-distance mode and super-high-speed mode.
Standard mode provides powerful combination of long sensing distance and high speed of response.
A full range of sensing heads is available for the E3X-DAN, providing characteristics matched to the broadest spectrum of applications.
Alongside the innovative new connection option, cable versions and M8 versions are also available, including an IP66 option. Request a free brochure from Omron Electronics ...
• Omron Electronics: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
