Innovative solution to integrate control and information

Omron are releasing the new units with an aim to help address manufacturing innovation challenges including strengthening of quality control and flexible safety measures.

Improve productivity, utilise information

Manufacturers are now driving visualisation of machine and process status, predictive maintenance to prevent downtime, and other information utilisation approaches to further improve productivity. Although it is necessary to easily and securely share information between manufacturing sites and host IT systems, high speed processing of a large amount of data by a controller increases control cycle time, discouraging productivity improvements.

On the one hand, high speed and precision are required for industrial networks at production sites. On the other hand, high level security is required for connection to host IT systems. This results in a significant barrier to interconnectivity of networks.

In these circumstances, the NX1 Series has been designed to collect synchronised data from sensors, servomotors, and units mounted to the controller within the same fixed cycle time thanks to Omron’s multicore technology that provides machine control and at the same time executing high-speed data processing tasks.

This controller can send the collected data to the host IT system while maintaining control performance. Three industrial Ethernet ports, EtherNet/IP and EtherCAT ports, and an OPC UA server interface for IIoT for industrial automation and information technology are housed in a compact design with a width of 66mm. This connectivity allows use of IT at production sites and easy and secure connection to host IT systems.

The database connection model can directly store production data in databases without using PC or middleware, enabling real time and reliable traceability of all products and helping improve quality control.

Further improve quality, enhance safety measures

The NX1 Series in combination with the NX-HAD4[][] High-speed Analog Input Unit can be used for inspections by high speed sampling of analogue data, which previously required the use of special inspection machines.

Connected with the NX-SL5[][][] Safety CPU Unit, the NX1 Series integrates safety control of production lines and machines. The integrated safety and modularised safety control programs eliminate the need for re-programming when the line layout is changed. Hopefully this will enable flexible production and safety being achieved.