Key Takeaways
- The Zeto Controller family centers on a touchscreen‑enabled Zeto Core hub that can manage up to 256 lights via a bus‑connected DIN‑rail system.
- It supports any mix of current‑controlled LED drivers and 0–10 V digital dimmers, eliminating the need for separate control subsystems.
- Configuration is plug‑and‑play, with local touchscreen GUI, web‑based remote access, and Ethernet/USB‑C options for custom integration.
- Four expansion unit types (CX, CX Plus, VX‑4, VX‑16) provide flexible strobe, constant‑current, and programmable dimming capabilities.
- Built for the plant floor, the platform uses passive cooling, offers 3.75 kV optically isolated trigger inputs with over‑voltage protection, and is RoHS compliant.
- Live demonstrations will be shown at Automate 2026; full specs and request forms are available on Metaphase’s product landing page.
Overview of the Zeto Controller Family
Metaphase Lighting Technologies unveiled its new Zeto Controller family at Automate 2026 (booth 125), positioning the platform as a streamlined solution for complex machine‑vision lighting systems. The announcement highlighted the Zeto Core as the central “brain” of the architecture, capable of interfacing with up to 16 expansion units over a single communication bus. This design enables users to control as many as 256 individual lights while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for standard control cabinets. By integrating touchscreen interaction, remote web management, and versatile I/O options, Metaphase aims to reduce installation time and simplify ongoing system maintenance for automated inspection lines.
Modular Bus‑Connected Architecture and DIN‑Rail Integration
At the heart of the Zeto system is a bus‑connected, modular architecture that leverages a standard 35 mm DIN rail (NS 35/15) as both a mechanical mount and a communication backbone. The Zeto Core mounts directly onto this rail and features built‑in bus connectors that allow up to sixteen expansion units to be daisy‑chained without additional cabling. Each unit receives power and data through the rail, ensuring deterministic communication and minimizing wiring clutter. This approach not only simplifies field installation but also provides inherent scalability—users can start with a minimal configuration and add modules as inspection requirements evolve.
User Interface and Remote Configuration Options
Configuration of the Zeto platform is intentionally plug‑and‑play. Operators can interact directly with the Zeto Core via its integrated touchscreen graphical user interface (GUI), which presents real‑time status, parameter adjustment, and diagnostic information in an intuitive layout. For environments where hands‑free operation is preferred, an embedded web server enables remote access from any standard web browser on a PC, tablet, or smartphone. Additionally, the Core provides Ethernet (UDP/TCP) and USB‑C ports, facilitating custom software integration, firmware updates, and data logging for advanced analytics or third‑party machine‑vision software stacks.
Solving Mixed‑Driver Lighting Integration Challenges
Modern inspection lines frequently combine lights with built‑in drivers and those requiring external current regulation, a scenario that historically forced integrators to juggle disparate control systems, splice together heterogeneous wiring, and develop complex software stacks. The Zeto Controller family resolves this pain point by unifying disparate lighting technologies on a single bus. Whether a light needs a constant‑current drive, a 0‑10 V dimming signal, or a strobe trigger, the appropriate expansion unit can be selected and addressed individually, eliminating the need for multiple controllers and reducing both hardware inventory and commissioning time.
Leadership Perspective on Deployment Flexibility
Lukasz Maksymiuk, Director of Engineering at Metaphase Technologies, emphasized the platform’s impact on the industry: “System integrators have long been forced to compromise between ease of deployment and system flexibility. With the Zeto platform, we eliminated those barriers. By anchoring the system around a touchscreen‑enabled Core unit and utilizing an innovative rail‑bus design, we provided the industry with an unprecedented level of mixed‑driver support. Whether you are running a single high‑power strobe or 16 independent digital dimming channels, Zeto configures in minutes.” His remarks underscore the company’s goal of delivering a solution that balances rapid deployment with the versatility demanded by high‑mix manufacturing environments.
Expansion Units and Their Capabilities
The Zeto ecosystem offers four distinct expansion modules, each individually addressable via a rotary switch on the unit’s rear. The CX universal light controller delivers a single‑channel constant‑current drive, providing up to 4 A/60 W continuous in DC mode and a peak strobe capacity of 40 A through internal or external triggers. The CX Plus scales this capability to 10 A/150 W continuous while retaining the 40 A strobe ceiling. For lights equipped with built‑in drivers, the VX‑4 programmable digital dimmer supplies four independently programmable 0‑10 V outputs plus one optically isolated trigger input, whereas the VX‑16 expands this to sixteen 0‑10 V outputs and four trigger inputs, allowing triggers to be assigned to any combination of channels for sophisticated grouped switching or sequencing applications.
Industrial‑Grade Reliability and Compliance
Engineered for the harsh conditions of the plant floor, the Zeto platform relies entirely on passive cooling, eliminating fans or moving parts that could fail in dusty or vibratory settings. Its compact form factor is optimized for standard control cabinets, conserving valuable panel space. Safety features include 3.75 kV optically isolated trigger inputs on both the CX and VX units, equipped with reverse‑polarity and over‑voltage protection rated up to 60 V. The entire family complies with RoHS directives, ensuring environmentally responsible manufacturing and ease of integration into global supply chains that restrict hazardous substances.
Availability, Demonstration, and Company Overview
Metaphase will showcase the Zeto Controller platform live at Automate 2026 and at subsequent industry trade shows, giving attendees hands‑on experience with the touchscreen Core and expansion modules. Detailed technical specifications, wiring diagrams, and request forms for product demonstrations are accessible via the official product landing page. Founded in 1993, Metaphase Lighting Technologies has grown into a world‑leading designer and manufacturer of machine‑vision LED lighting, offering a diverse portfolio spanning wavelengths, drivers, and connectivity options. The company’s engineering expertise supports applications ranging from automation and line‑scan inspection to high‑speed imaging, and it continues to expand into sectors such as pharmaceuticals, wafer inspection, and robotic guidance. Further information is available at www.metaphase-tech.com.