Panasonic SU-7 Series

The Panasonic SU-7/SH series of amplifier-separated photoelectric sensors offers a compact and versatile solution for various industrial sensing applications. These sensors are designed with a slim body and feature automatic sensitivity setting, making them easy to use and integrate into existing systems.

Function Description

The SU-7/SH series operates as an amplifier-separated photoelectric sensor, meaning the amplifier unit (SU-7 series) and the sensor head (SH series) are separate components. This design allows for greater flexibility in installation and maintenance. The amplifier unit processes the signals from the sensor head and provides various output functions.

Key functions of the amplifier include:

Simple Automatic Sensitivity Setting: Users can achieve optimal sensitivity by pressing two buttons – one for aligning with the mark to be detected ("ON" button) and another for aligning with the background ("OFF" button).
Limit Sensitivity Setting: This function allows for the detection of minute differences by setting sensitivity with a single button press, even without an object present.
Sensitivity Shift: The set threshold level can be shifted towards either the ON or OFF level, enabling stable sensing even if incident light is unstable in one state.
Remote Sensitivity Selection (SU-79): The amplifier can store four channels of sensitivity levels, which can be selected via remote inputs.
Remote Sensitivity Setting (SU-77): Sensitivity levels can be adjusted remotely.
External Synchronization (SU-75): The timing for sensing can be specified by an external input, offering both edge and gate trigger options.
Test Input (Emission Halt) (SU-75): This feature allows for a start-up test by halting beam emission, enabling verification of the sensing output without an actual object.
Sensitivity Margin Indication: The stability indicator blinks to show the degree of sensitivity margin, aiding in system stability assessment.
ON-delay/OFF-delay Timer (SU-7, SU-77, SU-79, SU-7J): A variable timer (0 to 5 seconds) can be selected for either ON-delay or OFF-delay functions, useful for detecting clogged lines or extending short output signals.
Interference Prevention: Allows two sensor heads to be mounted close together without mutual interference.
Self-diagnosis Function: The sensor continuously checks incident light intensity and generates an output if it's reduced due to dirt, dust, or beam misalignment. It also monitors for unstable sensing conditions or short-circuited sensing outputs.

The SH series sensor heads come in various types to suit different applications:

Line-focus type (SH-84R): Suitable for detecting printed characters due to its line-shaped projected area.
Pinpoint type with green LED beam (SH-82G): Ideal for red/white color discrimination, which is difficult with red LED types.
Pinpoint type with red LED beam (SH-82R): Suitable for tiny object sensing and distinguishing top/bottom faces of chip components.
Ultra-slim type (SH-20 series): Compact size (0.3 cm³), 3 mm / 0.118 in thick, offering versatile mounting options (front and side sensing for diffuse reflective and thru-beam types).
Ultra-small type (SH-30 series): Features an operation indicator for easy on-site checking. Includes thru-beam (SH-31R, SH-31G, SH-33R) and diffuse reflective (SH-32R) models.
Glass substrate detection type (SH-72): Unique optical system for reliable detection of transparent glass plates and specular film deposited glass plates at the same distance, with no dead zone and high repeatability.
Chemical resistant type (SH-61R): Sensor heads and cables covered in fluorine resin, suitable for harsh chemical environments, with a long sensing range of 2.5 m / 8.202 ft.

Important Technical Specifications

Amplifiers (SU-7 series):

Supply Voltage: 12 to 24 V DC ±10% (Ripple P-P 10% or less).
Current Consumption: 35 mA or less.
Sensing Output: NPN/PNP open-collector transistor, max sink/source current 100 mA.
Self-diagnosis Output: NPN/PNP open-collector transistor, max sink/source current 50 mA. Activates under unstable sensing conditions or short-circuited sensing output.
Response Time: 0.6 ms or less (0.8 ms or less with interference prevention).
Operation Indicator: Red LED (lights up when sensing output is ON).
Stability Indicator: Green LED (lights up for stable light received/dark conditions, blinks during sensitivity setting or interference prevention).
Environmental Resistance:
- Pollution Degree: 3 (Industrial environment).
- Ambient Temperature: -10 to +55 °C / +14 to +131 °F (operation), -20 to +70 °C / -4 to +158 °F (storage).
- Ambient Humidity: 35 to 85% RH (operation/storage).
- Vibration Resistance: 10 to 150 Hz, 0.75 mm / 0.030 in double amplitude, 2 hours each direction.
- Shock Resistance: 100 m/s² (10 G approx.), 5 times each direction.
Material: Enclosure: Heat-resistant ABS, Case cover: Polycarbonate, Cable lock lever: PPS.
Cable: 0.15 mm² 6-core (SU-7/SU-7P: 0.2 mm² 4-core) cabtyre cable, 2 m / 6.562 ft long.
Cable Extension: Up to total 100 m / 328.084 ft with 0.3 mm² or more cable.

Sensor Heads (SH series):

Thickness: 10 mm / 0.394 in (SU-7 amplifier).
Sensing Range: Varies by model (e.g., SH-21: 300 mm / 11.811 in thru-beam; SH-31R: 1 m / 3.281 ft thru-beam; SH-32R: 100 mm / 3.937 in diffuse reflective).
Sensing Object: Varies by model (e.g., min. Ø0.3 mm / Ø0.012 in opaque object for thru-beam, white non-glossy paper for diffuse reflective).
Repeatability: 0.03 mm / 0.001 in or less (perpendicular to sensing axis).
Protection: IP62 (IEC) for ultra-slim type, IP66 (IEC) for ultra-small type.
Emitting Element: Infrared LED (880 nm / 0.035 mil) or Red LED (700 nm / 0.028 mil, 680 nm / 0.027 mil) or Green LED (570 nm / 0.022 mil).
Material: Enclosure: Polycarbonate (glass fiber reinforced) for ultra-slim type; ABS, Lens: Polycarbonate for ultra-small type.
Cable: 3 m / 9.843 ft long, shielded cable.
Cable Extension: Up to total 5 m / 16.404 ft (ultra-slim type), 10 m / 32.808 ft (ultra-small type).

Usage Features

Quick Wire Connection: The snap-on lever mechanism on the SU-7 amplifier allows for secure connection of sensor head cables without stripping wire insulation. An exclusive stripper (SU-CT1, accessory) simplifies outer sheath removal for chemical resistant type sensor heads.
Compact Design: The slim body of the SU-7 amplifier (10 mm / 0.394 in thick) significantly reduces installation space.
Versatile Applications: The wide range of sensor head types (line-focus, pinpoint, ultra-slim, ultra-small, glass substrate, chemical resistant) allows for diverse applications, from lead frame positioning and chip component identification to detecting transparent glass and wafer cassettes.
Plug-in Connector Type (SU-7J): Compatible with Panasonic's S-LINK wire-saving system, SL-BMW/SL-BW sensor blocks, and CN-54-C2/C5 connector attached cables for simplified wiring.
Optional Accessories: Mounting brackets (MS-DIN-2 for amplifier, MS-SS3-1 for ultra-small sensor heads, MS-DS-1 for mark sensors, MS-SH6-1/MS-SH6-2 for SH-61R), slit masks (OS-SS3) for precise sensing, and a sensor checker (CHX-SC2) for beam alignment.

Maintenance Features

Self-diagnosis Output: Provides an output signal when sensing conditions are unstable or if the sensing output is short-circuited, aiding in early detection of issues.
Stability Indicator: The green LED provides visual feedback on sensing stability, helping users monitor performance.
Test Input (Emission Halt): Facilitates quick functional checks during start-up or troubleshooting without needing to introduce actual objects.
Easy Sensitivity Adjustment: The automatic and remote sensitivity setting features simplify recalibration and optimization.
Modular Design: The amplifier-separated design allows for individual replacement of either the amplifier or the sensor head, simplifying maintenance and reducing downtime.
Chemical Resistant Type (SH-61R): Designed for harsh environments, reducing the need for frequent replacement in chemically aggressive settings.
Sensor Checker (CHX-SC2): An optional tool that provides indicators and an audio signal for optimum receiver position, making beam alignment for thru-beam sensors easier.

Precautions for Proper Use:

Never use this product for personnel protection.
Always use the sensor head and the exclusive amplifier together as a set.
Ensure proper tightening torque for mounting screws (0.29 N·m or less for ultra-small/mark/glass substrate sensors, 0.14 N·m or less for ultra-slim sensors).
For chemical resistant types, avoid exposure to molten alkali metals, fluorine gas, or other specified aggressive chemicals.
Place a ferrite core near the amplifier on the sensor cable to comply with CE Marking requirements.
Do not use during the initial transient time (0.5 sec.) after power-on.