Abstract: A relay apparatus is provided to achieve high-speed control, while suppressing costs for communication with a plurality of devices, by notifying additional information of the devices to a master apparatus and increasing the efficiency of transmission/reception of signals among the master apparatus and the devices. The relay apparatus communicates with a plurality of devices through a single device communication port. The relay apparatus receives additional information from each of the plurality of devices; and transmits/receives signals in units of groups to which each of the plurality of devices belongs.

Abstract: A light receiver outputs a log indicating at least one of an operating status of a multiple optical axis photoelectric sensor and an environment surrounding the multiple optical axis photoelectric sensor, at the time of an output being turned off.

Abstract: The present invention maintains sealing of the housing over a long period of time. A multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor (100) includes a light projector (110) and a light receiver (120) whose external forms are each formed by a housing (1) including an outer case (10) constituted by a main body case (11) and a first cap member (12), a light-transmitting plate (15), a first pressing member (20A), second pressing members (20B), a first adhesive tape (17A), and second adhesive tapes (17B). The first cap member (12) has a supporting part (12a) provided on its inner side, and an elastic member (18) is provided between the second pressing member (20B) and a portion of the light-transmitting plate (15) supported by the supporting part (12a). The light-transmitting plate (15) is pressed toward the first cap member (12) via the elastic member (18).

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention allows for determining a cause of abnormality in output of a light-receiving element among light-receiving elements in a multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor. A multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor (1) determines that electrical noise occurs, in a case where abnormality in output occurs in both of adjacent light-receivable periods (Ts) in one light-receiving cycle (Tc).

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to easily grasp which light receiving section is in what light reception state. The multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor (10) includes: a plurality of light receiving sections (110); a display section (120) which is provided in the vicinity of a corresponding light receiving section among the plurality of light receiving sections (110), the display section (120) displaying a light reception state of the corresponding light receiving section; and a display control section (103) which causes the display section (220) and the display section (120) to simultaneously display the light reception state.

Abstract: The present invention achieves a multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor which can be assembled with reduced effort. A multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor (100) includes a light projector (110) and a light receiver (120) each having an outer shape defined by a housing (1) including: an outer case (10); a light-transmitting plate (15); and a pressing member (20). Supporting parts (11b) are provided at respective inner surfaces of side plates of the outer case. Extending parts (11c) are provided at end parts of the corresponding side plates. The pressing member is configured to press the light-transmitting plate against the supporting parts by being attached to the respective extending parts.

Abstract: The present invention achieves a multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor which can be assembled with reduced effort. A multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor (100) includes a light projector (110) and a light receiver (120) each having an outer shape defined by a housing (1) including: an outer case (10); a light-transmitting plate (15); and a pressing member (20). Supporting parts (11b) are provided at respective inner surfaces of side plates of the outer case. Extending parts (11c) are provided at end parts of the corresponding side plates. The pressing member is configured to press the light-transmitting plate against the supporting parts by being attached to the respective extending parts.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention allows for determining a cause of abnormality in output of a light-receiving element among light-receiving elements in a multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor. A multiple optical-axis photoelectric sensor (1) determines that electrical noise occurs, in a case where abnormality in output occurs in both of adjacent light-receivable periods (Ts) in one light-receiving cycle (Tc).

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to easily grasp which light receiving section is in what light reception state. The multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor (10) includes: a plurality of light receiving sections (110); a display section (120) which is provided in the vicinity of a corresponding light receiving section among the plurality of light receiving sections (110), the display section (120) displaying a light reception state of the corresponding light receiving section; and a display control section (103) which causes the display section (220) and the display section (120) to simultaneously display the light reception state.

Abstract: The present invention maintains sealing of the housing over a long period of time. A multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor (100) includes a light projector (110) and a light receiver (120) whose external forms are each formed by a housing (1) including an outer case (10) constituted by a main body case (11) and a first cap member (12), a light-transmitting plate (15), a first pressing member (20A), second pressing members (20B), a first adhesive tape (17A), and second adhesive tapes (17B). The first cap member (12) has a supporting part (12a) provided on its inner side, and an elastic member (18) is provided between the second pressing member (20B) and a portion of the light-transmitting plate (15) supported by the supporting part (12a). The light-transmitting plate (15) is pressed toward the first cap member (12) via the elastic member (18).

Abstract: A method for operating a light curtain arrangement for monitoring a safety area is provided. The light curtain arrangement includes a plurality of first light emitter elements placed at an emitter side of the safety area, and a plurality of second light receiver elements placed at a receiver side of the safety area. The method includes the steps of: assigning a plurality of dedicated light emitter elements to a respective one light receiver element, wherein the assigned light emitter elements form an array; and activating the dedicated light emitter elements of a respective array to contemporaneously emit light, and at the same time, receiving the emitted light from the activated light emitter elements by the respective light receiver element.

Abstract: A relay apparatus is provided to achieve high-speed control, while suppressing costs for communication with a plurality of devices, by notifying additional information of the devices to a master apparatus and increasing the efficiency of transmission/reception of signals among the master apparatus and the devices. The relay apparatus communicates with a plurality of devices through a single device communication port, The relay apparatus receives additional information from each of the plurality of devices; and transmits/receives signals in units of groups to which each of the plurality of devices belongs.

Abstract: A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor includes a sensor unit configured to detect whether each of plural optical axes formed between a projection unit and a light receiving unit is in a light shielding state, the sensor unit including the projection unit and the light receiving unit, the projection unit including plural projection elements, the light receiving unit including plural light receiving elements disposed opposite the plural projection elements. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor also includes a control unit that controls the light receiving unit, communication cables of plural signal wirings through which a signal is input to and output from the control unit, and a communicator that conducts communication between the control unit and an external device through a common wiring sharing one of the communication cables with a communication wiring.

Abstract: A method for operating a light curtain arrangement for monitoring a safety area is provided. The light curtain arrangement includes a plurality of first light emitter elements placed at an emitter side of the safety area, and a plurality of second light receiver elements placed at a receiver side of the safety area. The method includes the steps of: assigning a plurality of dedicated light emitter elements to a respective one light receiver element, wherein the assigned light emitter elements form an array; and activating the dedicated light emitter elements of a respective array to contemporaneously emit light, and at the same time, receiving the emitted light from the activated light emitter elements by the respective light receiver element.

Abstract: A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor includes a sensor unit configured to detect whether each of plural optical axes formed between a projection unit and a light receiving unit is in a light shielding state, the sensor unit including the projection unit and the light receiving unit, the projection unit including plural projection elements, the light receiving unit including plural light receiving elements disposed opposite the plural projection elements. The multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor also includes a control unit that controls the light receiving unit, communication cables of plural signal wirings through which a signal is input to and output from the control unit, and a communicator that conducts communication between the control unit and an external device through a common wiring sharing one of the communication cables with a communication wiring.

Abstract: A start-up time of a production facility is shortened while generation of a muting error is suppressed, whereby productivity is improved. A multiple-optical-axis photoelectric sensor system includes a projector, an optical receiver, a light blocking determination unit configured to make a light blocking determination whether each of optical axes formed between the projector and the optical receiver is in a light blocking state, and a muting processor configured to temporarily disable the light blocking determination on condition that a detection signal input from an external muting instrument changes according to a predetermined sequence. The muting processor determines the sequence of the detection signal from the muting instrument during the muting by dividing the sequence into a plurality stages. The muting processor accumulates and analyzes measurement information acquired in each stage, and decides an optimum setting value for a muting operation condition based on an analysis result.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes multiple pairs that each include a light emitting element and a light receiving element configured to receive light emitted from the light emitting element, and, in response to optical axes formed in a region between the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements entering a blocked state, senses a sensing target moving in the region. In an initial state, sensing is performed using a sensing optical axis composed of a portion of the optical axes, and when an optical axis of the sensing optical axis used in sensing in the initial state is blocked, the number of optical axes included in the sensing optical axis is increased so as to expand the sensing optical axis.

Abstract: A detection processing unit determines, in a detection area including optical axes formed between emitter elements and receiver elements, whether each optical axis is in an interrupted state after optical axis selection corresponding to one scan, and outputs a detection signal based on the determination result. When at least one of the optical axes is constantly interrupted by an object movable within the detection area, the detection processing unit outputs the detection signal upon determining that the number of optical axes in an interrupted state is greater than a preset maximum optical axis number, and also outputs the detection signal upon determining that the number of optical axes in an interrupted state is smaller than a preset minimum optical axis number.

Abstract: A multiple optical axis photoelectric sensor capable of performing muting processing adapted to a plurality of kinds of workpieces having different heights without the need for complicated pre-setting according to the kinds of workpieces, is provided. The multiple optical axis photoelectric sensor is provided with a light projecting device and a light receiving device, which forms a plurality of optical axes together with the light projecting device. In at least one portion of a detection area, which is set according to the optical axes, a muting area for nullifying the result of detection of blocked light is set up. A sensor system acquires a range of blocked light corresponding to the blocked optical axis during passage of a workpiece, and alters the muting area of the multiple optical axis photoelectric sensor from a first range to a second range.

Abstract: For a manufacturing machine that moves in and out of a detection area of a multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor, floating blanking and blanking monitoring are activated without outputting a stop signal to stop the manufacturing machine every when the manufacturing machine moves out of the detection area. A detection processing unit performs, when at least one of the plurality of optical axes is constantly interrupted by the object, floating blanking of outputting the detection signal upon determining that the number of optical axes in an interrupted state is greater than a preset maximum optical axis number, and blanking monitoring of outputting the detection signal upon determining that the number of optical axes in an interrupted state is smaller than a preset minimum optical axis number, and activates or deactivates the floating blanking and the blanking monitoring based on the signals received by the signal reception unit.