Sysmac NJ wins 2011 Good Design Award

On October 3, the Japan Institute of Design Promotion announced the 2011 Good Design Award winners. Omron Group entered a total of seven products, and four of these from IAB and Omron Healthcare received awards. There were 3,162 entries from Japan and abroad and of these, 1,112 entries from 649 companies qualified for Good Design Awards, passing the initial screening of product literature and second-stage screening in which products themselves are evaluated.

This next-generation controller series was created by integrating the latest high-speed MPU with Omron's diverse range of knowledge and expertise accumulated in its role as a pioneer in the factory automation market. The result is a series of high-speed, high-performance controllers with enhanced stability and reliability.

The NJ501 Series allows seamless connection of a variety of I/O devices such as servo drivers and vision sensors for high-performance motion control beyond the capabilities of conventional PLCs. It also enables control of an entire system with a single controller device, thus presenting a new style of machine automation.

As a machine controller that can integrate various units and functions, the design of this product inspires a feeling of confidence. This type of product by its nature tends to consist of different components designed separately, but Omron's controller has a totally coordinated design.

In terms of color coordination and graphical details as well, this product design conveys a feeling of integrity and safety on the factory floor. Rather than adding fancy features without a clear purpose, Omron designed a controller that maintains the role and original characteristics of the product, thus giving a greater sense of reliability.

The Good Design Awards (generally known as the "G-Mark system") are Japan's only comprehensive design evaluation and commendation system. The system has its origin in the Good Design Selection System instituted by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1957. Since 1998, the awards have been sponsored by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, and remain one of the world's most widely recognized design awards. Over the past 50+ years, more than 37,000 product designs in a wide range of fields have been recognized for contributing to quality improvements in industrial products while enhancing lifestyles.