KEYENCE CORPORATE PROFILE

Key Concepts Driving Innovation

• ? Poka Yoke (ポカヨケ): Error-proofing methods to prevent manufacturing mistakes.
• ⏱️ Takt time = Taktzeit: The production rhythm required to meet customer demand, visualized as a process flow (Process 1 → 2 → 3 → N).
• ? Traceability (Rückführbarkeit, Traçabilité): The ability to track the history, application, or location of an item throughout its lifecycle.
• ⬆️ Kaizen (改善→改进): A philosophy of continuous improvement in all aspects of operations.
• ? Productivity: Enhancing efficiency and output in manufacturing processes.
• ? Measurement, Inspection: Tools and systems for precise quality control and data acquisition.
• ? Total Sensing Solutions: A comprehensive suite of sensing technologies for diverse applications.
• ✅ No Downtime!: The objective of achieving uninterrupted production lines.
• ? SWOT ANALYSIS: A strategic planning tool assessing Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
• ? Safe Distance: A formula (S=Kx(T+C)) likely used for determining safe operating distances in industrial environments.

Industries Served

KEYENCE products are utilized across a wide spectrum of industries, including:

• SEMICONDUCTOR
• ELECTRONICS
• AUTOMOTIVE
• LOGISTICS
• APPLIANCES & HOME
• MEDICAL DEVICES
• CONSTRUCTION/ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE
• INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT
• STEEL/PAPER MANUFACTURING

Direct Sales Network

KEYENCE employs a direct sales model, utilizing a large number of technically trained sales engineers worldwide. This approach ensures invaluable on-site support, allowing KEYENCE to meet customer needs from design and research through production and beyond. This direct engagement contrasts with conventional sales models that often involve multiple distributors and agents, potentially leading to delays.

Corporate Information

• Global Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
• Founded: May 1974
• Capital: US$300,362,000
• 2013 Global Sales: US$2,598,137,000
• Worldwide Employees: 4,000
• (Note: US dollar amounts are converted from Japanese yen for convenience only at ¥102 = US$1, the approximate exchange rate on March 20, 2014)

Sensors

High function amplifiers and a vast array of sensor head options provide reliable solutions for challenging detection conditions.

• FIBEROPTIC (FS & FU Series): Features include threaded mounting, set screw mounting, integrated bracket mounting, limited space mounting, suitability for oil/water environments, high temperature environments, detection of small targets, and variable target position.
• PHOTOEYE (PZ Series): General purpose photoeyes.
• METAL PHOTOEYE (PR-G Series): Designed for detecting metal targets.
• METAL MINIATURE PHOTOEYE (PR-M/F Series): Compact photoeyes for metal detection.
• DISTANCE-BASED LASER SENSOR (GV Series): Offers stable detection of targets regardless of color, surface finish, or background.
• LASER SENSOR (LV Series): Ideal for difficult applications, providing a small visible beam spot over long distances.
• HEAVY DUTY PHOTOEYE (PX Series): Ensures reliable detection even under harsh washdown conditions.
• COLOR, UV & LUSTER DETECTION (CZ Series): Solves tough applications involving color, luster, and UV detection.

Safety Products

• PRESSURE (AP Series): Versatile mounting and pressure detection options.
• PRESSURE (GP Series): Ideal for both hydraulic and pneumatic applications.
• PROXIMITY (ES Series): Reliable detection for all metal types.
• FLOW (LIQUID FLOW FD-M Series): Maintenance-free operation to monitor instantaneous and accumulated flow of conductive liquids.
• CURTAIN (GL-R Series): Features built-in guarding, all-in-one functionality, and innovative wiring for safety applications.
• CURTAIN (GL-S Series): Ultra-slim design with built-in mounting brackets and simplified wiring for seamless integration, featuring highly visible indicators.
• SCANNER (SZ Series): Safety laser scanners allow users to protect and monitor complex hazardous zones with ease, offering area protection, collision prevention, and access protection. Includes a first laser scanner with a built-in muting function.

High Precision Measurement

• 1D LASER DISPLACEMENT SENSOR (LK Series): Features a best-in-class sampling rate of 392 kHz for reliable optical measurements of rapidly moving processes, offering high accuracy and repeatability. Supports coarse targets, transparent targets, fine targets, and mirror targets. Used for measuring thickness/width of steel plates and multi-point thickness measurement.
• 2D/3D LASER DISPLACEMENT SENSOR (LJ Series): Ideal for high-accuracy inline and offline measurements, providing precise 3D surface profile reproduction. Can measure up to 8 features simultaneously, including Peak Height, Average Height, Gap, Angle, Bottom Height, Width/Position, Cross Sectional Area, and Profile Comparison.
• OPTICAL MICROMETER (LS Series): Offers industry-leading speed (13.3x faster than conventional systems), world-first stability with active tilt and vibration correction, and low-maintenance durability due to no moving parts. Applications include measuring the run-out of a rotating shaft and the outer diameter of fine wire. The 2-Axis Optical Micrometer LS-9006D/9030D is also available.

Machine Vision Systems

KEYENCE was a pioneer in machine vision since the 1980s. Their current systems offer solutions for diverse industrial applications.

• 1D Line Scan: For surface inspection and flaw detection.
• 2D 21MP Camera (CV-X & XG Series): For OCR/ID reading.
• 3D LumiTrax™ Camera: For flaw/defect detection and OCR. The LumiTrax™ system fuses high-speed cameras with intelligent lighting and advanced algorithms to capture and analyze multiple images from different directions, creating detailed shape and texture data.

Specific applications include Etching Inspection (e.g., on toothpaste tubes) and Stamped Character Inspection on Metal Casting Surfaces.

KEYENCE provides a complete solution for image processing needs, covering Cameras, Lighting, Lenses, and Displays.

Code Readers & Static Elimination

• BARCODE READER (BL Series): Features high scan speed (1300 scans/sec), high resolution (0.08 mm), and unmatched reading ability on poor quality codes, handling challenges like uneven backgrounds, curved parts, scratches, and thick printing.
• 1D/2D CODE READER (SR Series): Offers autofocus up to 1000mm, automatic tuning for optimal settings, and automatic polarization to eliminate glare.
• STATIC ELIMINATION (SJ Series): Available in Spot, Bar, & Blower Types, featuring built-in display, low voltage wiring, calibration-free setup, and low maintenance operation. Used to prevent particles from sticking to machinery, and for static elimination on films and feeder bowls.

Intelligent Sensors

• VISION SENSOR (IV Series): Addresses difficult applications with automatic focus, color imaging, and high intensity illumination for tasks like multiple inspections in one field of view and color detection checks.
• DIGITAL CONTACT SENSOR (GT2 Series): Employs a quartz glass scale shot system for high-accuracy measurement, available in standard or air push models. Used for packing insertion checks and gap measurement between rollers. Features a Pencil Type Model with a slim ø8 mm body for high-accuracy measurements.
• CCD LASER SENSOR (IG Series): A thru-beam CCD laser sensor capable of measurements with high repeatability and stability, able to detect transparent targets. Used for gap measurement between rollers and edge control of glass substrates.

Marking Technology

• LASER MARKER (MD & ML Series): Equipped with advanced optical components for 3-axis laser marking, capable of programming nearly any shape, including 3D profiles and CAD data. The MD-X Series is also available. Applications include contrast marking on molded packages, high-speed 2D code marking on metal casting, 3D marking on anodised housings, black-annealed marking on precision tools, coating removal on instrument panel switches, and thin film processing on gold-plated connectors.
• INKJET PRINTER (MK-U Series): Combines intuitive maintenance with advanced quality control, offering easy operation, stable operation, easy inspection, and minimized downtime. Features World's First Auto-Shower Cleaning, which cleans the ink path, nozzle, electrode plates, and gutter simultaneously, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring stable printing.

Inspection & Analysis

• DIGITAL MICROSCOPE (VHX Series): Designed to overcome traditional microscope limitations (shallow depth-of-field, short working distance, portability). Integrates advanced optics, CMOS camera, large LCD, LED lighting, and motorized stage for streamlined testing. Offers wide magnification (0.1x to 5000x) and supports various lighting techniques.
• LASER SCANNING MICROSCOPE (VK-X Series): Automatically analyzes and differentiates 3D surfaces based on nanometer-level profile and roughness data. Operates as a non-contact system requiring no sample preparation.
• 3D MEASURING MACROSCOPE (VR Series): Utilizes one-shot technology to capture 3D data over a wide area, eliminating user variation and providing measurements such as profiling, volume, and roughness.
• INSTANT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM (IM Series): A one-step solution for quality control, featuring patented pattern analysis tools for traceable 2D analysis. Offers industry-leading 100 nm resolution in a compact, cost-effective package.
• FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPE (BZ-X Series): A fully integrated microscope capable of fluorescence, bright field, and phase-contrast imaging without the need for a darkroom.