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Omron / Sentech ZS-MDC11 / ZS-MDC41 (multi-controllers); ZS-DSU11 / ZS-DSU41 (data-storage units) machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechLaser measurement sensors
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Omron / Sentech ZS-HL Series Multi-Controllers (ZS-MDC11/41) & Data Storage Units (ZS-DSU11/41)

ZS-MDC11

The ZS-MDC11 (NPN) and ZS-MDC41 (PNP) Multi-Controllers share the base ZS-LDC controller specifications but cannot connect sensor heads directly; instead they link up to 9 ZS-HLDC/LDC controllers via ZS-XCN Controller Link Units to provide arithmetic functions between controllers. The ZS-DSU11 (NPN) and ZS-DSU41 (PNP) Data Storage Units connect to a maximum of 10 controllers (1 ZS-MDC plus up to 9 ZS-HLDC/LDC), logging 32-bit-resolution data with external, data (self) and time triggers. All four units run on 21.6-26.4 VDC (0.5 A max.), provide USB 2.0 (Full Speed, MINI-B) and RS-232C (115,200 bps) interfaces plus three HIGH/PASS/LOW open-collector outputs (50 mA max.), and use an IP20 polycarbonate housing weighing approximately 280 g. They are now discontinued/obsolete Omron products.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Laser-displacement system controller accessory (ZS-HL Smart Sensor)
Sensing method
For laser-triangulation / confocal ZS-HL displacement sensor heads
Output type
3 outputs HIGH/PASS/LOW; NPN open-collector (ZS-MDC11/ZS-DSU11) or PNP open-collector (ZS-MDC41/ZS-DSU41), 50 mA max., residual voltage 1.2 V max.
Communication
USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps max., MINI-B) and RS-232C (1 port, 115,200 bps max.)
Resolution
Data resolution: 32 bits (ZS-DSU data-storage units)
Supply voltage
21.6 to 26.4 VDC (including ripple)
Connection
Serial I/O: connector; other pre-wired, standard cable length 2 m
Housing material
Case: Polycarbonate (PC)
Dimensions
Approx. 52.5 (W) x 60 (D) x 90 (H) mm, DIN-rail mounting
Weight
Approx. 280 g (excluding packing materials and accessories)
Operating temperature
Operating: 0 to 50 °C; Storage: -15 to +60 °C (MDC) / 0 to 60 °C (DSU), no icing or condensation
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Technical overview

The Omron ZS-MDC11/41 multi-controllers and ZS-DSU11/41 data-storage units are not sensor heads but DIN-rail add-on units that extend the Omron ZS-HL/ZS-L Smart Sensor laser-displacement system. The specs make their role explicit: they are intended for laser-triangulation/confocal ZS-HL displacement sensor heads, but these units cannot connect a sensor head directly. Instead, the ZS-MDC multi-controller links up to 9 ZS-HLDC/LDC controllers (via ZS-XCN Controller Link Units) to provide arithmetic functions across those measurement channels - for example computing thickness, step, warpage or differences between two or more displacement readings that no single sensor controller can produce on its own. The ZS-DSU data-storage unit attaches to a chain of up to 10 controllers (1 ZS-MDC plus up to 9 ZS-HLDC/LDC) and logs measurement data at 32-bit resolution, triggered externally, by data (self) condition, or by time. For an integrator, this means the multi-head ZS-HL system becomes a small distributed measurement network where derived quantities and data capture are handled by dedicated rail units rather than the host PLC.

The output and interface picture is geared toward both judgement and data offload. Each unit provides three open-collector outputs that report HIGH/PASS/LOW judgement results - NPN on the ZS-MDC11/ZS-DSU11 and PNP on the ZS-MDC41/ZS-DSU41 - rated 50 mA max with 1.2 V max residual voltage, so the calculated or logged result drives a pass/fail decision back to the line controls just like a standard tolerance band. Host communication is handled over USB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps max, MINI-B) for setup and data pull, and a single RS-232C port at up to 115,200 bps for serial integration or polling. The DSU's 32-bit data resolution and three trigger modes are the relevant figures when the goal is traceable logging of a profile or trend rather than a single in/out signal. Choose the NPN or PNP part number to match the sinking/sourcing convention of the rest of the cell.

Physically these are compact rail-mounted controllers: approximately 52.5 (W) x 60 (D) x 90 (H) mm in a polycarbonate (PC) case, about 280 g, DIN-rail mounted, with serial I/O on a connector and other connections pre-wired on a 2 m standard cable. Power is 21.6 to 26.4 VDC (nominal 24 VDC, including ripple) at up to 0.5 A, the operating range is 0 to 50 C with no icing or condensation, and the IP20 rating confirms they belong inside a control cabinet, not on the machine in a wet or dusty zone. One important design-in fact from the data itself: all four units are listed as discontinued/obsolete Omron products, so they are relevant for maintaining or extending an existing ZS-HL installed base rather than specifying into a new build.

Best for

  • Adding inter-controller arithmetic (thickness, step, warpage, A-minus-B) across up to 9 linked ZS-HLDC/LDC laser-displacement controllers using the ZS-MDC unit
  • Logging 32-bit measurement data from a chain of up to 10 ZS controllers with external, self (data) or time triggers via the ZS-DSU unit
  • Multi-point dimensional measurement in electronics, automotive and metal applications where several ZS-HL heads must be combined into one derived result
  • Driving HIGH/PASS/LOW pass-fail decisions back to line controls from a calculated or logged measurement rather than a single raw distance
  • Serial or USB data offload (RS-232C at 115,200 bps / USB 2.0 Full Speed) for traceability and trend capture from an installed ZS-HL Smart Sensor system

Selection notes

  • Match the output convention to your cell: ZS-MDC11/ZS-DSU11 are NPN open-collector and ZS-MDC41/ZS-DSU41 are PNP; all three HIGH/PASS/LOW outputs are rated 50 mA max with 1.2 V max residual voltage.
  • These units do not connect a sensor head directly. The ZS-MDC links up to 9 ZS-HLDC/LDC controllers through ZS-XCN Controller Link Units, and the ZS-DSU connects to a maximum of 10 controllers (1 ZS-MDC plus up to 9 ZS-HLDC/LDC) - budget for those base controllers and link units.
  • Provide a 24 VDC supply within 21.6 to 26.4 VDC (including ripple) at up to 0.5 A, and plan cabinet space for the 52.5 x 60 x 90 mm DIN-rail footprint and roughly 280 g per unit.
  • IP20 and a 0 to 50 C operating range mean enclosure mounting only - keep these out of washdown, dusty or condensing locations; storage is rated -15 to +60 C (MDC) / 0 to 60 C (DSU).
  • These four part numbers are discontinued/obsolete Omron products, so treat them as spares/extension for an existing ZS-HL base rather than a new-design specification, and confirm RS-232C (115,200 bps) or USB 2.0 Full Speed MINI-B connectivity to your host.

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Sensor typeLaser-displacement system controller accessory (ZS-HL Smart Sensor)

Specifications: Performance
ResolutionData resolution: 32 bits (ZS-DSU data-storage units)

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationUSB 2.0 Full Speed (12 Mbps max., MINI-B) and RS-232C (1 port, 115,200 bps max.)
ConnectionSerial I/O: connector; other pre-wired, standard cable length 2 m

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage21.6 to 26.4 VDC (including ripple)

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperatureOperating: 0 to 50 °C; Storage: -15 to +60 °C (MDC) / 0 to 60 °C (DSU), no icing or condensation
IP ratingIP20 (IEC 60529)

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodFor laser-triangulation / confocal ZS-HL displacement sensor heads

Specifications: Output
Output type3 outputs HIGH/PASS/LOW; NPN open-collector (ZS-MDC11/ZS-DSU11) or PNP open-collector (ZS-MDC41/ZS-DSU41), 50 mA max., residual voltage 1.2 V max.

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialCase: Polycarbonate (PC)
DimensionsApprox. 52.5 (W) x 60 (D) x 90 (H) mm, DIN-rail mounting
WeightApprox. 280 g (excluding packing materials and accessories)

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