ZP-L

We at OMRON believe that we are now at a time where laser displacement sensors should be selected for their usability.
Our new ZP-L Series products are equipped with a carefully designed user interface, as well as detection accuracy.
They’re packed with creative features that allow engineers to cut back on time and effort unknowingly spent when working with displacement sensors.

ZP-L delivers a wide dynamic range*1 that delivers stable detection of a wide range of workpieces, from black polished workpieces (such as the painted surface of a car body), which reflect little light, to metal workpieces, which reflect a lot of light.

ZP-L has a wide angle characteristic, powered by its wide dynamic range and OMRON’s unique sensing algorithms.
It can measure an area of up to approximately 85°,*3 allowing for flexible installation. For example, in cases where sensors cannot be installed directly above the target workpiece, ZP-L can be positioned diagonally and still deliver reliable measurement.

When selecting or replacing your laser displacement sensors, be sure to check the following three performance attributes.

Note: Representative ZP-L Series performance values

When measuring moving workpieces, laser displacement sensors, by their nature, are impacted by workpiece surface conditions, and variations in measurement values may exceed the resolution set forth in their specifications.

*1. “Dynamic range” is a metric that indicates the range of detectable workpiece types, expressed as the ratio between the
　　reflectance of the most reflective detectable workpiece and that of the least reflective detectable workpiece.
*2. Compared with OMRON’s ZX2 Series.
*3. Representative example for workpieces with metal surfaces. Shape or material of measured object may impact
　　measurement.
　　Please check in advance using actual devices.
*4. Best-performing in class of laser displacement sensors for detecting around 10 μm to 1 mm (according to OMRON
　　investigation in November 2024).

Amplifier units for previous laser displacement sensors used segment displays, which made it difficult for workers to know which item they were configuring without referencing their manuals. ZP-L amplifier units are equipped with OLED displays, which are capable of much richer presentation, allowing for easy-to-understand menu displays that save you the time of searching through your manuals for the right page.

ZP-L’s display supports four languages, so that on-site workers at local factories can understand its configuration. Error displays have been carefully designed as well. The details of the error and the required action can be shown in different languages on the OLED display, allowing on-site first responders to take smooth action and enabling faster recovery.

The configuration screen is ingeniously designed to prevent users from losing track of where they are in their configuration process. Its layout, which works in coordination with button operation, allows for intuitive operation.

*1. “Patent pending” and “Patented” refer to patent status in Japan (as of November 2024).

With ZP-L, you can check sensor conditions without impacting the equipment’s control operations, just by connecting the PC with the support software Wave Inspire ZP installed to the switching hub. There’s no need for data loggers, or to program PLCs for operation checks. The support software Wave Inspire ZP can be downloaded for free. Please refer to the system configuration page in the data sheet for details.

Sensor configurations can be saved to the support software Wave Inspire ZP, which means you can compare your current sensor configuration with that at the time of setup. It also means that you can quickly find any changes that may have been made to your usual sensor configuration. Once you find the changes, you can reverse them with just a single click.

You can copy the saved settings when replacing or expanding the amplifier unit at once.

Previously, testing upon setup required that measurement values be monitored using upper-level systems such as PLCs or tools such as data loggers, which took time and effort. With ZP-L, you can complete configuration and monitoring in just three minutes after connecting the sensor to the support software Wave Inspire ZP.

Data for testing must be of high simultaneity and retrieved in high speed. ZP-L is equipped with a system that is meticulously designed to deliver high sensing simultaneity (3 μs) and high-speed (1 ms) data retrieval.

ZP-L delivers high-quality data verification, even in cases using multiple sensor units. The timing of data measurement for all sensors connected to amplifiers is synchronized to within 3 μs, allowing you to conduct verifications without worrying about timing deviations.

ZP-L can also be used to verify high-velocity events.
It can retrieve measurement values in 1-ms intervals, which can then be used to draw charts on your PC screen that closely depict actual equipment behavior.

*1. Communication unit ZP-EIP required for connection with PC.
*2. “Patent pending” and “Patented” refer to patent status in Japan (as of November 2024).

Equipment is getting smaller, which means less space inside the equipment for sensor installation. With ZP-L, we were able to achieve our ambition to create a product that delivers both advanced accuracy and compact size, especially in the height direction, where space tends to be more restricted. The sensor head is also lighter, allowing for easier equipment rigidity design.

Large indicator lights in two locations (at top and back of senso head) easily visible from all directions.

When an amplifier unit is switched to configuration mode, the indicator lights on the sensor head connected to it blinks in blue, making it easy to find, without the tedious task of tracing the cable.

Previous products required the effort-consuming task of designing and preparing brackets for mounting your sensors, and making fine optical axis adjustments when installing them. The ZP-L Series offers mounting brackets that allow you to easily make optical axis adjustments in three directions: height, horizontal, and angular.

We offer highly bend-resistant extension robot cables for customers who need cables with high bend resistance.
Our robot cables are perfect for moving parts of common machines such as cableveyors and loaders.

ZP-L sensor heads have CB certification, a standard for lasers, which means that when you use them in your equipment, it doesn’t need to be applied for laser certification.

We offer slave amplifier units that help you reduce wiring when using multiple sensors. Power can be supplied from the master unit, which means slave units don’t need to be wired for power. You can also save cable termination effort by using slave units without cables for units that don’t output judgment.

*1. Best-performing in class of laser displacement sensors for detecting around 10 μm to 1 mm (according to OMRON
　　investigation in November 2024).
*2. In case of ZP-LS025/-LS050/-LS100.
*3. Test results are from tests conducted by OMRON and should be used only as reference information, not as guaranteed
　　values when using products in actual customer settings and conditions thereof.

In developing ZP-L, OMRON took a deep dive into the internal structure and production process of CMOS image sensors to custom-develop high-speed, high-sensitivity, low-noise CMOS image sensors that maximize performance.

OMRON successfully developed and applied unique technologies that deliver micrometer-level automatic lens adjustment and nanometer-level fixing in the ZP-L production process. Together, these technologies minimize variations in adjustment and assembly, thereby reducing variations in performance between individual sensor units.

As a general rule, improving sensor accuracy means using larger optical components, such as lenses and CMOS image sensors. This creates a trade-off between improving accuracy and reducing size. To resolve this dilemma, ZP-L uses a sealing technology using adhesives, which, compared to more conventional sealing methods using screws and gaskets, allows for more efficient use of chassis space. It is thanks to this technology that ZP-L is able to deliver high accuracy while having the smallest chassis in its class.

ZP-L delivers significantly higher sensitivity compared to previous products, through its unique process of integrating received light waveforms. This process amplifies the slightest light, allowing for stable detection even when the head is installed in a tilted position.

*1. Best-performing in class of laser displacement sensors for detecting around 10 μm to 1 mm (according to OMRON
　　investigation in November 2024).
*2. “Patent pending” and “Patented” refer to patent status in Japan (as of November 2024).