Function enhancement of detecting switches has increasingly been requied together with the spreading use of FM and FMS in various production systems. To meet these market needs, Fuji Electric has developed new inductive proximity switches PE1 and PE2 series improved in performance, functions, and use.
This paper introduces the following from among them: 2-wire proximity switches with a stable-operation indicator to facilitate setting a distance between the sensor face and an object and spatter-resistant proximity switches capable of being used safely near welding spatters.

The upgrade and scale enlargement of FA in industries demands strongly that FA sensors should meet (1) preventive maintenance, (2) different power sources, and (3) a wider range of objects.
Fuji Electric, to meet these needs, has developed photoelectric switches with a self-diagnostic function which predict detection error and output an alarm, and free-source photoelectric switches which are applicable to AC and DC of wide-ranging voltages and are provided with a function of retroreflective detection. This paper describes the background of the development, their functions, features, and operations.

Wide-directional ultrasonic switches have been used in automatic doors and others for a long time, however, narrowdirectional ones capable of detecting a small object have recently been developed for FA, and they are applied in industries, civil engineering, and farming, as well as in FA.
Fuji Electric has developed narrow-directional ultrasonic switches and distance sensors with detectable distances 30cm, 1m, and 6m,and has also developed those with an external
control function preyenting mutual interference in close installation which are introduced in this paper

The ber-code reader system has been introduced into POS and other materials distribution and production systems, and is high-lighted as an information processing tool. Particularly in the field of FA, it is an effective method for unification of materials and information, and distributed control in unit processes in order to realize a flexible production system, such as multiple manufacturing on the same production line.
This paper introduces unprecedented bar-code readers for FA use for which a bar-code reader system can be structured without using a personal computer.

In the case of angle control in various automated assembly machines, conventional mechanical cam switches need some trouble in angle setting, adjustment, and maintenance. Fuji electronic cam controllers have solved these problems by setting angles with programs. The major merits are as follows: (1) Four patterns of 23-point output programs can be set. (2) The resolution is one degree and 10 outputs max. per revolution is possible. (3) Fuji Electric's original magnetic absolute encoder is adopted. (4) Functions of holding set angles, teaching, and changing revolving direction are provided.

Fuji Electric has developed communication-type image sensors with an RS-232-C interface, type PJ1-E20C, on the basis of PJ1-E20C image sensors. The communication unit containing a exclusive use CPU chip is incorporated in the sensor; then, whith-out lowering the original functions and performance, the following is made possible: outputting measured data (reading), free setting or modification of operating conditions or criteria, and easy change in arrangements.

Recent control devices, being supported by progress in electronics, have achieved high functions, compactness, and high reliability, resulting in wide use for automation, labor saving and systematization in industries.
In the field of time control, multi-range electronic timers have come to occupy most of the timer market to meet requirements for high precision and enhanced functions.
Fuji Electric has developed a new super timer ST4P series remarkably improved in operation and cost; this paper introduces its outline, features, and characteristics.

With the automation of production equipment and increase in programmable-controller application to a control field, demands for the functions of man-machine interfaces are shifting from control-oriented to monitoring/maintenance-oriented demands.
Fuji Electric has developed a programmable operation display (POD) introducing a new concept to perform the design, manufacture, and wiring of control panels on a personal computer, which is outlined here.

Fuji Electric has realized a small, light-weight, high-picture-quality medical diagnostic imaging system, superconducting MR imaging system VISTA-E50, through integrated development from necessary elementary technologies to system technologies.
This paper outlines the concept of the system development, characteristics, features, dimensions, and installation plans, and also describes a key technology to realize high picture quality, that is, the unification design of the high-frequency circuit, high-frequency (RF) coil, and gradient field coil.

This paper introduce MR imaging system is coming to wide use as a non-invasive diagnostic imaging system. The superconducting magnet is mainly used for the magnet to generate the static magnetic field of MRI systems, and its high performance, reduction in size, low cost, and low operating cost are strongly demanded. This paper describes the specifications and performance of the active shield magnet developed by Fuji Electric, and shows its distinctive space-saving effect in comparison with the iron shield magnet. Also it outlines the development, features, and reliability of the cryostat, and the features of the gradient field system (power supply and coil) as well.

This paper introduces the features, configuration, and rough specifications of the computer system for the superconducting MR imaging system VISTA―E50. This system is a distributed multi-microprocessor system composed of two independent computers for scanning control and image processing. The distribution of functions and the distributed arrangement according to these respective functions enable simultaneous execution of scanning and image processing but need no exclusive mounting space. Image reconstruction of sampling data 256 × 512 can be processed in 1.8 seconds. The appearance is so designed basically as to be gentle.

VISTA-E50 has the advantages of high-quality imaging, fast scanning, high patient throughput and easy operation featured by AI (artificial intelligence) technologies, as well as merits of compact, light-weight, space- and energy-saving system. This paper presents system software and clinical application software of VISTA-E50, especially for each function and advantage.

Fuji EFPACS (Effective Fuji PACS) is a picture archiving and communications system which efficiently executes centralized management of quantities of image data produced in a hospital. Main features of this system are high-speed retrieval and display function resulting from high-grade imaging technology. This system also strongly supports picture management for multimodalities, picture storage, and education. EFPACS-500 and EFPACS-1000 series are available according to a system scale. An optimal system configuration can be obtained in a building-up style. This paper describes the features and performance of the EFPACS.

This paper introduces some application examples of picture archiving and communications system EFPACS series which achieves efficient management of a volume of image data generated in a hospital, and powerfully support image diagnosis using multi-modality. EFPACS can be applied to various objectives of system installation, and can meet the scale of a hospital and the way of image filing. EFPACS has been installed in a middle-scale hospital for image conference, in a general hospital for long-term archiving of MRI data and for referring in the outpatient clinic, in a dental hospital for dental image processing, and so on.