Omron ZX2 laser sensor

Omron’s ZX2 laser sensor has a dynamic range of 2 million times, and is designed to provide stable measurements for any colour or surface condition, including metals, substrates, elastomers and transparent materials, using Omron’s HSDR-CMOS (high speed and dynamic range) image sensor and a stepless laser power adjustment algorithm.

A line beam is used in addition to an emitter beam to ensure stable and reliable measurement even for workpieces moving at high speed and when dealing with rough surfaces. The combined action of the line and emitter beams helps to average out the amount of reflected light and to offset the amount of received light and to enable stable measurements for moving objects.

With its Smart Tuning capability, the ZX2 automatically sets parameters such as exposure time optimised for each workpiece by use of a single button. This reduces the need for time-consuming manual settings even for applications with multiple mixed workpieces or varied workpiece surface conditions.

The sensor’s IP67 protective structure is robust enough for use even when exposed to dust or water. A robot cable is used as standard between the head and amplifier, which means that the sensor is reliable and safe to use within the moving parts of machinery.

As a UV bond is used to fix the optical components rather than screws, stress can be controlled and ensure a temperature characteristic of 0.02% FS/°C. This means that if the room temperature varies 1°C, the measured value varies 0.02% FS (corresponding to only 4 µm for the Model ZX2-LD50).