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Omron / Sentech ZW-S8010 / ZW-S8020 / ZW-S8030 / ZW-SP8007 / ZW-SP8010 / ZW-SPR8007 / ZW-SPR8010 (ZW-8000 heads) machine vision sensor
Omron / SentechLaser measurement sensors
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Omron / Sentech ZW-8000 Series Confocal Fiber Displacement Sensor Heads

ZW-S8010

The ZW-8000 series sensor heads use the white light confocal (chromatic confocal) principle, directing broadband white light through an OCFL (Optical Chromatic Focal Lens) module that focuses each wavelength at a different focal distance; the wavelength reflected in focus encodes the displacement. Available in three form factors — square-shaped straight (ZW-S8010/20/30), pen-shaped straight (ZW-SP8007/8010), and pen-shaped right-angle (ZW-SPR8007/8010) — with measurement center distances from 7 to 30 mm, measuring ranges from ±0.3 mm to ±2 mm, and spot diameters down to 4 µm. All heads achieve 0.25 µm static resolution and linearity as tight as ±0.3 µm when paired with the ZW-8000T controller. The heads connect via fiber cable (0.3 m or 2 m) to the ZW-8000T controller, which provides EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Ethernet, RS-232C, analog, and parallel interfaces.

Brand
Omron / Sentech
Sensor type
Confocal displacement sensor
Sensing method
White light confocal (chromatic confocal)
Light source
White light (broadband white light, LED-based)
Resolution
0.25 µm static resolution (all models, with ZW-8000T controller)
Linearity
ZW-S8010: ±0.3 µm; ZW-S8020: ±0.6 µm; ZW-S8030: ±1.3 µm; ZW-SP8007: ±0.3 µm; ZW-SP8010: ±0.45 µm; ZW-SPR8007: ±0.45 µm; ZW-SPR8010: ±0.7 µm
Range / distance
ZW-S8010: 10 mm ±0.5 mm; ZW-S8020: 20 mm ±1 mm; ZW-S8030: 30 mm ±2 mm; ZW-SP8007: 7 mm ±0.3 mm; ZW-SP8010: 10 mm ±0.7 mm; ZW-SPR8007: 7 mm ±0.3 mm; ZW-SPR8010: 10 mm ±0.7 mm
Response time
60 µs to 7,500 µs (measurement cycle, with ZW-8000T)
Output type
Analog voltage/current, parallel (via ZW-8000T controller)
Communication
EtherNet/IP, Ethernet, RS-232C, EtherCAT, analog, parallel (via ZW-8000T controller)
Supply voltage
24 VDC (21.6–26.4 VDC including ripple, ZW-8000T controller)
Connection
Fiber cable 0.3 m or 2 m (flex-resistant, 3.0 mm dia.)
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Technical overview

The ZW-8000 series sensor heads operate on the white light confocal (chromatic confocal) principle: broadband LED-based white light passes through an OCFL (Optical Chromatic Focal Lens) module that intentionally introduces longitudinal chromatic aberration, focusing each wavelength at a distinct depth. Only the wavelength whose focal plane coincides with the target surface returns in focus to the detector, so the reflected wavelength directly encodes the displacement. This physics-based encoding is inherently insensitive to target reflectance variation, enabling reliable measurement on surfaces ranging from mirror-finish metals to matte ceramics without recalibration. Static resolution reaches 0.25 µm across every model in the family — an unusually consistent figure that reflects the maturity of the chromatic confocal engine rather than sensor-to-sensor tuning.

Three form factors address different installation geometries. The square-body straight heads (ZW-S8010/S8020/S8030) are the most rigid option at 46.7 × 26.8 × 24.5 mm with aluminum die-cast housings; they cover measurement center distances of 10, 20, and 30 mm with measuring ranges of ±0.5, ±1, and ±2 mm respectively, and their linearity of ±0.3 µm (S8010) to ±1.3 µm (S8030) scales predictably with range — a useful design trade-off to match against actual part height variation. The pen-shaped straight heads (ZW-SP8007/SP8010) shrink to an 11 mm diameter stainless-steel body weighing as little as 27 g with the 0.3 m fiber; their 7 mm and 10 mm center distances make them suitable for narrow bores, recessed pockets, and multi-axis arrays in confined fixtures. The right-angle pen heads (ZW-SPR8007/SPR8010) redirect the optical axis 90° while retaining the same compact stainless body, allowing measurement of side walls, inner diameters, or surfaces inaccessible to a straight head. All heads connect via a 3.0 mm diameter flex-resistant fiber cable (0.3 m or 2 m) to the ZW-8000T controller, which provides measurement cycles as fast as 60 µs and outputs through EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Ethernet, RS-232C, analog voltage/current, and parallel lines — meaning the sensor integrates equally well into real-time EtherCAT motion networks, PLC-based analog loops, or PC-based Ethernet data acquisition pipelines.

The 4 µm spot diameter available on the shorter-range pen heads is particularly significant for semiconductor and precision electronics applications: it is small enough to land within individual bond pads, solder bumps, or thin-film step features without averaging across adjacent structures, and its non-contact nature eliminates the probe-force deformation errors that stylus instruments introduce on soft or fragile surfaces. With the ZW-S8010 delivering ±0.3 µm linearity over a ±0.5 mm range, the system resolves height variations that sit well below the wavelength of visible light, making it applicable to nanometer-class flatness screening in volume production environments rather than only in slow laboratory metrology.

Best for

  • Sub-micron flatness and step-height measurement of semiconductor wafers, bare dies, and MEMS substrates, where a 4 µm spot must resolve individual features and contact must be avoided to prevent surface damage.
  • Precision height and thickness profiling of PCB solder paste deposits, BGA bumps, and flexible circuit substrates in SMT lines, exploiting the 60 µs measurement cycle for in-line throughput.
  • Inner-diameter and side-wall displacement measurement in machined bores and valve bodies using the ZW-SPR right-angle pen heads, where the 90° optical axis and 11 mm body diameter fit tooling clearances that rule out straight probes.
  • Non-contact thickness and bow/warp measurement of optical glass, ceramic substrates, and thin-film coatings in display and optics manufacturing, where the white-light confocal method handles partially transparent layers that defeat triangulation-based sensors.
  • Dimensional verification of precision medical-device components (implant surfaces, catheter tips, micro-mold cavities) in pharma and medical-device production lines, where stainless-steel pen heads satisfy hygiene and corrosion-resistance requirements.

Selection notes

  • Match the model to your actual part height variation before specifying linearity: the ZW-S8010 delivers ±0.3 µm linearity over a ±0.5 mm range; stepping up to the ZW-S8030 for its ±2 mm range costs you linearity budget (±1.3 µm), so oversizing the range degrades accuracy.
  • The heads are passive fiber-optic probes — all processing, power, and I/O live in the separate ZW-8000T controller. Budget rack space and wiring for the controller; the sensor head itself runs on 24 VDC supplied through the controller, so no additional head-side power wiring is needed.
  • IP40 rating means the heads are not sealed against liquid ingress and are not suitable for flood-coolant or wash-down environments. For wet machining cells, consider physical shielding over the head or a different sensing technology.
  • Fiber cable length (0.3 m vs. 2 m) affects both installation reach and weight: the 2 m cable adds roughly 10 g to the pen heads — relevant when mounting multiple heads on a lightweight air-bearing stage where added mass shifts resonance frequencies.
  • EtherCAT output from the ZW-8000T controller allows the displacement value to be read synchronously with servo-axis position in a 60 µs cycle, enabling on-the-fly surface profiling during continuous stage motion; if your controller does not support EtherCAT, the EtherNet/IP, analog, or RS-232C interfaces serve as fallbacks.

Specifications: General
BrandOmron / Sentech
Sensor typeConfocal displacement sensor

Specifications: Performance
Resolution0.25 µm static resolution (all models, with ZW-8000T controller)
LinearityZW-S8010: ±0.3 µm; ZW-S8020: ±0.6 µm; ZW-S8030: ±1.3 µm; ZW-SP8007: ±0.3 µm; ZW-SP8010: ±0.45 µm; ZW-SPR8007: ±0.45 µm; ZW-SPR8010: ±0.7 µm
Range / distanceZW-S8010: 10 mm ±0.5 mm; ZW-S8020: 20 mm ±1 mm; ZW-S8030: 30 mm ±2 mm; ZW-SP8007: 7 mm ±0.3 mm; ZW-SP8010: 10 mm ±0.7 mm; ZW-SPR8007: 7 mm ±0.3 mm; ZW-SPR8010: 10 mm ±0.7 mm
Response time60 µs to 7,500 µs (measurement cycle, with ZW-8000T)

Specifications: Interface
CommunicationEtherNet/IP, Ethernet, RS-232C, EtherCAT, analog, parallel (via ZW-8000T controller)
ConnectionFiber cable 0.3 m or 2 m (flex-resistant, 3.0 mm dia.)

Specifications: Electrical
Supply voltage24 VDC (21.6–26.4 VDC including ripple, ZW-8000T controller)

Specifications: Environment
Operating temperatureOperation: 0 to 50°C; Storage: -15 to +60°C (no freezing/condensation)
IP ratingIP40 (IEC60529)

Specifications: Sensing
Sensing methodWhite light confocal (chromatic confocal)
Light sourceWhite light (broadband white light, LED-based)

Specifications: Output
Output typeAnalog voltage/current, parallel (via ZW-8000T controller)

Specifications: Mechanical
Housing materialZW-S8010/20/30: Aluminum die cast; ZW-SP8007/8010: SUS; ZW-SPR8007/8010: SUS + aluminum
DimensionsZW-S8010/20/30: 46.7 × 26.8 × 24.5 mm; ZW-SP8007: 42.9 × 9 × 8.5 mm body; pen-shaped 11 mm dia.
WeightZW-S80xx: ~170 g (0.3 m cable), ~180 g (2 m); ZW-SP80xx: ~27 g (0.3 m), ~37 g (2 m); ZW-SPR80xx: ~31 g (0.3 m), ~41 g (2 m)

Frequently asked questions

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