- Stable Detection of Different Material Components Made of Aluminum, Needed 
for Lighter-Weight Automobiles, and Iron -

OMRON Corporation globally launched E2EW Series Full Metal Proximity Sensors on 
July 1, 2019, which boast the world's longest sensing distances (*1). The 
sensors enabled both detection stability for different material components and 
durability with the full metal body. They help enhance productivity in the 
automotive industry, where downtime leads large production opportunity losses, 
by reducing risks of sudden stoppages due to sensors that occur in the welding 
processes for automobiles.

(Image1: 
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201906267951/_prw_PI1fl_WIfStMe3.jpg)


The automotive industry needs lighter weight of automobiles in accordance with 
the trend of electric vehicles and low fuel consumption, encouraging the 
material change in automotive components from iron to aluminum. This will 
increase mixed production lines containing iron and aluminum. Full-metal 
proximity sensors are mainly used in harsh welding processes. However, previous 
full-metal proximity sensors have short sensing distances. In particular, the 
sensing distance for aluminum is shorter than the one for iron. Therefore, 
higher accuracy is required for installing proximity sensors for aluminum than 
for iron, making the design, start-up, and maintenance of production lines 
complicated. With skilled labor shortages becoming severer, however, demand is 
growing for ways to maintain and enhance facility operation rates without 
relying on human experience or skills.

The newly released E2EW Series enables both stability with the world's longest 
sensing distances and durability with the full metal body. These sensors boast 
the long sensing distances, approximately twice (*2) as long as previous models 
for iron, and six times (*3) as long as previous models for aluminum, meaning 
equivalent sensing distances to detect iron and aluminum components. In 
addition, OMRON's unique technologies to prevent coating abrasion allow 60 
times longer-lasting spatter resistance (*4) than previous models. The E2EW 
Sensors with their durable body and long sensing distance increase sensor 
installation flexibility, and they help enhance productivity by streamlining 
production lines which require skills from the start-up and operation to 
maintenance.

Features
1. Equivalent and world's longest sensing distances for both iron and aluminum 
The equivalent sensing distances enable common design for sitting position 
detection in mixed production lines containing both iron and aluminum 
components. Furthermore, the long sensing distances are approximately twice as 
long as previous models for iron, and are approximately six times as long as 
previous models for aluminum, meaning less false detection even for unsteady 
sensing objects, resulting in reductions of unexpected facility stoppages.

(Image2: 
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201906267951/_prw_PI2fl_21B9fWRQ.jpg)


2. Increased spatter resistance, lasting 60 times longer than previous models
For spatter environments, models with fluororesin coating are available. The 
abrasion resistance of fluororesin coating 60 times higher than that for 
previous models reduces the deterioration of coating performance after the 
maintenance for spatter cleanups and replacement frequency of sensors.

(Image3: 
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201906267951/_prw_PI3fl_dcVFCeN8.jpg)


3. IoT-enabled models with IO-Link
Models equipped with IO-Link provide understanding of the detection level and 
temperature changes of proximity sensors from a single location in real time. 
Visualizing on-site conditions that may not be visible to the naked eye makes 
it possible, for example, to expect spatter accumulation amounts by the 
detection level changes and to plan for the appropriate timing of cleaning.

(Image4: 
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/201906267951/_prw_PI4fl_7hoA2a6S.jpg)


Notes:
(*1) World's longest sensing distance: Based on June 2019 OMRON investigation.
(*2) Approximately twice: Comparison with OMRON E2EF products.
(*3) Approximately six times: Comparison with OMRON E2EF products.
(*4) 60 times longer-lasting spatter resistance than previous models: 
     Comparison with OMRON E2EF-Q products. Based on June 2019 OMRON 
     investigation.
(*5) Comparison with OMRON E2EF-Q products.
(*6) After use: Brush 10 times by using a metal brush vertically and
     horizontally for each maintenance. Repeat 6 times.

OMRON set forth a 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. By enhancing the lineup of 
automation control devices, OMRON continues to pursue remarkable enhancements 
in productivity for the global manufacturing industry and accelerates the 
materialization of "integrated" and "intelligent," which are the key to 
realizing "innovative-Automation" together with its client companies.

About "innovative-Automation"
Recently, OMRON has developed a manufacturing innovation concept, called 
"innovative-Automation." With this concept, OMRON is currently committed to 
bringing innovation to manufacturing sites through three key innovations, or 
three "i's." Through these innovations in the area of automation, OMRON aims to 
enable significant productivity improvements in manufacturing sites in order to 
achieve high-value-added manufacturing. With the first "i," "integrated" 
(control evolution), OMRON will seek to advance automated control technology so 
that virtually any operator, even inexperienced operators, can effortlessly 
perform work that previously required the expert skills of experienced workers. 
With the second "i," "intelligent" (development of intelligence by ICT), OMRON 
seeks to create constantly evolving equipment and production lines. By adopting 
a wide range of control devices and artificial intelligence (AI), machines can 
learn through experience and maintain themselves in optimal condition. For the 
third "i," "interactive" (new harmonization between people and machines), OMRON 
pursues the development of a new harmonious relationship between human 
operators and machines. Working together in the same workspace, machines will 
be able to assist human operators by recognizing human thoughts and behavior.

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 
automotive electronic components, social infrastructure systems, healthcare, 
and environmental solutions. Established in 1933, OMRON has over 36,000 
employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in 117 countries. 
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. OMRON is 
based in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto. Its CEO is Yoshihito Yamada. For more information, 
visit OMRON's website at: http://www.omron.com/

Source: OMRON Corporation