Technical Japanese #28 — Reading Misumi and Omron Catalogues: Part Numbers and Options
A great many machine parts and control components in a Japanese plant come from suppliers like ミスミ (Misumi), オムロン (Omron), SMC and THK. Being able to read their catalogues and their 型番 (part numbers) is what lets you order the right thing, replace the right thing, and avoid mistranslating a specification. This post takes a Japanese catalogue page apart.
Core vocabulary for reading a Japanese component catalogue
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning | In the catalogue | Note |
|---|
| 型番 | かたばん kataban | model number | 型番で選定 | Order by this |
| 選定 | せんてい sentei | selection | 選定表 | Choosing the part |
| 仕様 | しよう shiyō | specification | 仕様一覧 | Spec list |
| 外形寸法 | がいけいすんぽう gaikei sunpō | outline dimensions | 外形寸法図 | Overall dimensions |
| 一覧 | いちらん ichiran | list, table | 型番一覧 | Table of models |
| 定格 | ていかく teikaku | rated | 定格電流 | Rated value |
| 電源電圧 | でんげんでんあつ dengen den'atsu | supply voltage | DC24V | Supply |
| 接点 | せってん setten | contact | 接点構成 | Contact arrangement |
| 種類 / タイプ | しゅるい shurui | type | 出力タイプ | Type |
| 有 / 無 | あり / なし ari / nashi | with / without | オプション有 | Presence or absence |
| オプション | opushon | option | 追加オプション | Option code |
| 単価 | たんか tanka | unit price | 単価表 | Price per piece |
| 標準納期 | ひょうじゅんのうき hyōjun nōki | standard lead time | 出荷日 | Standard lead time |
| 最小ロット | さいしょうロット saishō rotto | minimum order quantity | MOQ | Minimum lot |
| 材質 | ざいしつ zaishitsu | material | 材質選択 | Material choice |
| 表面処理 | ひょうめんしょり hyōmen shori | surface treatment | めっき指定 | See #15 |
| 追加工 | ついかこう tsuika kō | additional machining | 追加工指定 | Extra machining to order |
Reading a Misumi 型番
A Misumi 型番 is a base code plus option suffixes, and every segment is a choice. For a guide shaft:
SFJ 10 - 100 → SFJ (shaft type) · 10 (φ10 diameter) · 100 (length L = 100)
The method is always the same: match each segment against the 選定表 in the catalogue. Where a part carries 追加工 (extra machining), the tail of the code specifies the added chamfer, hole or thread. Read it carefully — that is where things get left out.
Reading an Omron 型番
Omron components — relays, sensors, PLCs — encode the function in each character. For a photoelectric sensor:
E3Z - T61 → E3Z (photoelectric series) · T (through-beam) · 61 (output and connection)
On relay families like MY and LY, always check the 電源電圧 (coil voltage) and the 接点構成 (contact configuration): the same body houses very different ratings.
Phrases by situation
Looking up and ordering
- この型番の仕様を確認してください。 — Please check the specification of this part number.
- 同等品はありますか。 — Is there an equivalent?
- 標準納期はどのくらいですか。 — What is the standard lead time?
Confirming a selection
- 電源電圧はDC24Vで合っていますか。 — The supply voltage is 24 V DC, correct?
Mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | Why it hurts |
|---|
| Ordering by series and dropping the suffix | The wrong size or voltage arrives. Match the full 型番 |
| Accepting an 同等品 without checking 定格 and 接点構成 | It will not drop into the same place |
| Leaving out 追加工 or an option code | The part arrives without the hole or the surface treatment you needed |
Read it, then act — quick self-check
An engineer hands you E3Z-T61 and asks for a replacement. What do you check first?
<details><summary>Answer</summary>Match the full 型番 in the Omron catalogue: the sensing type (through-beam or reflective), the supply voltage, and the output and connection style. Looking up "E3Z" alone is not enough — every suffix is a different specification.</details>
The Misumi page says SFJ10-100 + 追加工: 両端タップM5. What is it?
<details><summary>Answer</summary>An SFJ shaft, φ10, 100 mm long, with extra machining: an M5 tapped hole at both ends. Drop the 追加工 and you receive a plain shaft that cannot be mounted.</details>
How MINATA helps
Do you need Japanese components (Misumi, Omron, SMC, THK) looked up, selected and ordered against the right 型番, the right specification and a sensible lead time and price? MINATA reads the Japanese catalogues, matches the codes, finds equivalents and coordinates Japan–Vietnam sourcing. See our Japan–Vietnam projects or sourcing and logistics services.
View all MINATA technical articles