Industrial Sensors
After decades of manufacturing world-class optical sensors under the SUN-X brand, Panasonic began applying their own branding to its industrial sensor products portfolio more than five years ago. Engineers worldwide who have used these sensors over the course of their careers know they can still rely on that same high level of quality and performance.
Today, Panasonic’s industrial sensors are known throughout the global OEM equipment market for their compact size (Panasonic’s EX-Z sensor packages are available as small as 3mm thick – the world’s thinnest), consistent performance, reliability, and value.
Panasonic’s online Sensors Product Finder Tool is available here: https://www.panasonic-electric-works.com/productfinder-sensors/?axr81
HG-C series Micro Laser Distance Sensor
Reliable 10 micrometer precision
Suitable for applications where a measurement of 1/100mm is required, the HG-C series from Panasonic is one of the industry’s most exciting developments in laser-based sensing in years.
Most laser-based sensing solutions are complex to use and prohibitively expensive. Ask your local Automation Southwest sales engineer how the HG-C sensor can surprise you with it’s stellar combination of performance and low cost.
Click to view a YouTube video showing sample applications and performance for the HG-C series: https://youtu.be/Xqc7q2mSRSE
PM-25/45/65 Micro Photoelectric Sensors
With a wide variety of shapes and connectivity configurations, Panasonic’s U-shaped PM-series sensor family allows OEM machine designers the flexibility and value to apply sensing to areas that would have been too costly before.
Their wide 6mm sensing opening and easy installation with M2 or M3 mounting screws allow these versatile sensors to be included in all types of automation equipment designs.
All types are available as either PNP or NPN output (depending on the part number) and include both Light ON or Dark ON signal outputs.
EX-Z series Ultra-Minute Optical Sensors
With a breakthrough technology in reducing the physical size of photoelectric sensors, the new EX-Z series of sub-miniature sensors from Panasonic are simply the smallest photoelectric sensors available on the market today.
The world’s thinnest sensor dimension of 3mm (0.118 in) has been achieved by utilizing new semiconductor packaging technology that does not use wire bonding. The small unit size allows installation of sensors in a narrow space where only a conventional fiber sensor head could be installed before. The built-in amplifier also saves on installation space.
The EX-Z sensors feature an IP67 protective rating to allow their use in process areas where water is used or splashed. All EX-Z sensors are available as either Light ON or Dark ON and PNP or NPN. Sensing ranges up to 500mm, depending on model.
FX-series Digital Fiber Optic Sensors
Panasonic’s history of success in fiber optic sensing is unmatched in the automation industry. Through decades of reliable fiber optic products under the SunX brand, to today’s most advanced fiber optic sensing units with advanced features (including built-in communications options), the FX-family of fiber optic sensors from Panasonic covers all areas and applications where fiber optic sensing makes sense.
The newest Digital Fiber Sensor FX-550 series from Panasonic offers the industry’s highest emission power (3x higher than competitors’ solutions and 1.6 times longer sensing range than conventional models.
Click HERE for more examples of Panasonic’s fiber optic sensor heads, bodies, and mounting options.
HG-S series Contact Measuring Sensors
When optical sensing is wrong for your measuring application, touch sensing is the clear choice. Coming in with resolution that exceeds competitors’ models at a significant cost savings, Panasonic’s HS-S sensors are able to offer an unmatched contact measuring solution.
- Resolution 0.1μm
- Accuracy: 1μm (full range), 0.5μm (narrow range)
- High-speed response of 3ms
- Resistance to lateral load
- Equipped with high-resolution CMOS
- Easy-to-use 2-line digital display controller
- Equipped with intuitive circle meter
- Connection of up to 15 slaves units in series
For more information and application examples for Panasonic’s HG-S sensors, click HERE.
EX-10 series Miniature Optical Sensors
The EX-10 series of miniature sensors from Panasonic includes some of the smallest sensors on the market today. Their ultra-small size allows for mounting in the most physically restrictive areas. The size is achieved by locating all of the electronics and controls in an in-line amplifier.
A bright 2-color indicator on the sensor head allows for quick determination of the sensor state.
The EX-10 series is also equipped with a 0.5ms response time for high-speed detection and an IP-67 rated housing for wash-down environments. The mounting options available include a front sensing type as well as a side sensing type. Each type has two metal-reinforced M3 mounting holes for stable sensor placement.
All types are available as either Light ON or Dark ON and PNP or NPN.
EX-20 series Micro Optical Sensors
Panasonic’s newer EX-20 series of micro sensors includes models that are even smaller than the EX-10 series. With options in setup and mounting that few micro-sized sensors can equal, the EX-20 series gives machine designers enormous flexibility when putting together complex designs with small footprints.
The EX-20 sensors incorporate a sensitivity adjuster in spite of their miniature size. It is convenient when you need fine adjustment. Further, the receiver of the thru-beam, side-sensing type sensor incorporates an operation mode switch which can change the output operation.
The EX-20 sensors achieve long distance sensing, despite their miniature size. Spec examples: thru-beam type: 2m (6.56 ft); retro-reflective type: 200mm (7.87 in) when using the attached reflector; diffuse reflective type: 160mm (6.30 in). With their long ranges, EX-20 sensors are often used on wide conveyor applications.
Additional catalog data: http://industrial.panasonic.com/ac/e_download/fasys/sensor/photoelectric/catalog/ex-20_e_cata.pdf
Rectangular and Cylindrical Inductive Proximity Sensors
Panasonic offers inductive proximity sensor designs in a variety of physical packages and functions. From our smallest micro-sized inductive proxes to our larger extended range cube and cylindrical sizes, Panasonic offers a prox solution for every application.
Cylindrical proxes are available with connectors or built-in cables in M12, M18, and M30 sizes. All Panasonic proximity sensors — even the very smallest models — include indicator LEDs to clearly communicate the sensor’s status.
Click HERE for Panasonic’s inductive proximity sensors overview.
Click HERE for catalog pages with specifications.
For more info about Panasonic industrial sensors, click HERE
Industrial rugged long range laser distance sensors measure distance, position, size, and level.
- Up to 500m range with up to 1mm accuracy
- True measurement rate up to 250Hz
- Up to 1kHz update rate
- Industrial Ethernet: ETHERNET/IP, PROFINET, and ETHERCAT
- Measure natural surface up to 100m
- Rugged, IP65 metal enclosure
- Class II laser eye safe operation
- Complete system in one housing
- Indoor and outdoor operation
- Temperature range from -40°C up to +60°C
Non-contact encoders from DIS Sensors are a unique solution for position tracking. They offer angular position data as well as the ability to determine rotary speed and direction, but without requiring physical contact between the sensor head and rotating body.
Specifications Overview
- Accuracy to 1° typically / 1024 pulses
- Range through 360°
- Output options: analog (4-20mA or 0-5VDC) or A/B pulse
- Rugged sealed IP67 thermoplastic housings
Completely contactless encoding- does not require the shaft to be coupled to the encoder
The QG series of inclination sensors measures angles in 1 or 2 axes. These products are based on robust MEMS technology, in which capacitance differences can be converted into an analogue voltage within a micro-mechanical sensor chip. This analogue voltage is proportional to the angle to which the sensor is exposed. The modular design makes it easy to adapt the sensors to specific requirements.
Types of inclination sensors
DIS inclination sensors are available with the following general specifications:
| Single axis measurement range: | ±10°; ±30°; ±90°; 0 – 360° |
| Double axis measurement range: | ±10°; ±30°; ±90° |
| Analogue output: | 0.5 – 4.5 V or 4 – 20 mA |
| Digital output: | CANopen (Safety); RS232 |
| Level of protection: | IP67 (optional IP68 of IP69K) |
| Programmable: | filtering, measuring range |
| Zeroing possibilty: | depends on model |
| Functional safety: | SIL2/PLd (optional) |
| Housing: | (reinforced) plastic or stainless steel |
