Modern equipment needs fast, precise sensing. This optical sensor detects small objects quickly and performs reliably even in changing light conditions.
As industrial and office equipment gets more advanced and automated, there is a rising need for sensors that are more accurate. In devices like label printers, transport systems for materials or products, and copiers, it is essential to detect objects precisely. Faster operations, aimed at improving productivity, make high-speed, high-precision optical sensors even more important.
ROHM has created the “RPR-0730,” a compact analog optical sensor that can detect fast-moving objects with high precision. It is suitable for a wide range of consumer and industrial applications, such as printers and conveyor systems.
The analog optical sensor can be used for print detection and paper feed or jam detection in devices such as label printers, copiers, and shredders. It is also suitable for object detection of packages or specimens, workpiece position detection in conveyance systems, and automatic inspection equipment. Additionally, the sensor can be applied to motor or gear rotational detection in industrial robots and similar machinery.
The RPR-0730 is a compact reflective optical sensor (photo reflector) that uses an infrared VCSEL, which provides better directionality than LEDs, allowing it to detect smaller objects. It pairs this with a phototransistor that has an analog output, achieving a response time of 10 µs. This combination allows high-speed, precise detection of fine lines as narrow as 0.1 mm, something conventional LED sensors struggled with. Building on the digital-output RPR-0720 series, the RPR-0730 is suited for applications needing faster sensing, such as print detection in copiers and label printers, or rotational detection in motors and gears.
The sensor comes in an ultra-compact package measuring 2.0 mm × 1.0 mm × 0.55 mm and uses a visible light filtering resin to reduce interference from ambient light or sunlight. This ensures stable detection even in changing light conditions, such as in factories or outdoors. Its small size also allows easy integration into equipment with limited space, like conveyors or precision instruments, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
