Country for PR: Japan
Contributor: Kyodo News JBN
Thursday, April 20 2023 - 16:00
AsiaNet
OMRON Launches NX502, New Controllers with Advanced Information Control and Safety Control
KYOTO, Japan, Apr. 20, 2023 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

- Contributing to Achieving High Production Quality and Improving Energy 
Productivity -

OMRON Corporation headquartered in Kyoto, western Japan, will globally release 
the NX-series NX502-1x00 CPU Units (hereinafter referred to as "NX502"), 
automation controllers with advanced information control and safety control, 
and the NX-EIP201 EtherNet/IP (TM) Units (hereinafter referred to as 
"NX-EIP201"), simultaneously on April 24, 2023.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/202304144894-O6-p8hSED45

Image1: Product of units
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202304144894/_prw_PI1fl_Puna64F4.jpg


With the growing importance of ESG management, efforts to achieve carbon 
neutrality are becoming more active at manufacturing sites. In addition, 
manufacturing sites involved in products that are undergoing remarkable 
technological innovation, such as xEVs and digital devices, are facing the 
challenge of building lines that can respond to rapid yield improvement and 
flexible equipment design in order to respond to sudden fluctuations in demand.

The NX502 CPU Units and NX-EIP201 EtherNet/IP Units utilize OMRON's unique 
advanced information processing, communications technologies and large-capacity 
memory to realize real-time analysis and process modularization (*1). This 
contributes to the reduction of resource disposal losses at production sites 
and the shortening of lead times when changing lines.

Main Features
1. World's highest precision (*2) data collection and large-capacity transfer 
capabilities reduce resource disposal losses at production sites

With high-precision data collection capability with a jitter of 1 microsecond 
or less and data transfer capacity approximately four times that of 
equivalent-class controllers (*3), production-related data (temperature, 
pressure, flow rate, etc.) can be analyzed and reflected in processing 
conditions in real time. It realizes rapid improvement of processes that cause 
defective products and reduces resource disposal losses at various production 
sites.

Image2: Graphs of production-related data
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202304144894/_prw_PI7fl_10c0N78k.jpg


- Application example: Crystal-manufacturing process required for precise 
product processing
In order to produce high-quality crystals, production-related data must 
fluctuate in real time depending on conditions, and there is a problem that 
manufacturing quality is not stable due to the limitations of communications 
performance, which is a bottleneck. The high information-processing capability 
of the NX502 enables early identification of the cause, which leads to 
improvements in production conditions and contributes to stable mass production 
of crystals.

2. NX-series first integrated control technology (*4) for large-scale and 
high-speed safety reduces lead times when changing production lines
The integrated control technology advanced by the NX502 and NX-EIP201 allows 
users to control large-scale production lines with module division through up 
to 8 network system separations and up to 254 safety connections (*5). This 
makes it possible to adjust and check partial processes with minimal impact on 
overall operations even on large lines and maximizes energy productivity by 
significantly reducing lead times when changing lines.

Image3:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102197/202304144894/_prw_PI8fl_EFE9ZbXD.jpg


- Application example: Body frame-welding line handling a wide variety of 
products
Due to the diversification of market needs, when it is necessary to add or 
change processes while mixed production of various vehicle models is required, 
it is necessary to minimize lead time by stopping only the relevant parts. The 
NX502 and NX-EIP201 can separate network systems, including safety. The 
products can flexibly respond to detailed changes in manufacturing sites, such 
as the addition of welding processes, and contribute to improving production 
efficiency.

OMRON has been contributing to the improvement of productivity at manufacturing 
sites by leveraging its strength in control technology under the concept 
"innovative-Automation." The company aims to achieve sustainable manufacturing 
sites, such as carbon neutrality in production, in addition to improving 
productivity at manufacturing sites from now. OMRON will enrich the future for 
people, industries and the globe by innovative automation.

Notes:
(*1) Modularization means dividing each process in the production line into 
functional units and making it easy to change flexibly.
(*2) Based on OMRON's research as of March 31, 2023.
(*3) Comparison with OMRON's NJ501. Based on its research as of March 31, 2023.
(*4) OMRON's unique multi-core technology simultaneously realizes information 
processing, safety processing, and control.
(*5) Safety communications standards "CIP Safety (TM)" and "FSoE (Safety over 
EtherCAT (R))"

- EtherCAT (R) and Safety over EtherCAT (R) are registered trademarks and 
patented technologies, licensed by Beckhoff Automation GmbH, Germany.

- EtherNet/IP (TM) and CIP Safety (TM) are trademarks of ODVA.

Introducing "innovative-Automation"
OMRON is advancing a unique "innovative-Automation" concept, creating new types 
of automation that drive the manufacturing revolution forward at the same time 
as realizing coexistence with the global environment and a sense of purpose for 
all workers, as well as contributing to the growth of sustainable industries. 
As it looks to the future of manufacturing, OMRON will pursue novel approaches 
to productivity in the form of "Autonomation beyond human abilities" and 
"Advanced collaboration between people and machines," underpinned by "Digital 
engineering transformation" in order to enrich the future for people, 
industries and the globe by innovative-Automation.

About OMRON Corporation
OMRON Corporation is a leading automation company with its core competencies in 
"Sensing & Control + Think" technology, and is engaged in a wide range of 
businesses including industrial automation, healthcare, social systems, and 
device & module 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, please visit the OMRON's website: 
https://www.omron.com/global/en/


Source: OMRON Corporation