FREMONT, CA – UMQ Series Safety Mats from Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. have been named a 2009 Design News Golden Mousetrap Award Winner in the Motion Control/Automation category. These safety mats feature a patented IP67 quick-disconnect cable connector that promises significant cost savings to the user by reducing inventory requirements, while simplifying installation and replacement of damaged cables.

"Design News congratulates the winners and finalists of the 2009 Golden Mousetrap Awards for the great work they've done to develop new and innovative products for design engineers. These products showcase the highly imaginative ways that today's engineers are ‘building a better mousetrap,’ and we thank them for their contributions," says Karen Field, Editor-in-Chief, Design News.

For more than two decades, the Design News Awards Program has recognized engineering innovation and creativity in product design. This year, Golden Mousetrap awards were given in four major categories: Electronics, Motion Control/Automation, Hardware/Software, Materials/Fastening/Joining/Assembly, and 20 subcategories. Editor Jennifer Roy gathered a record number of entries, distributing them to Design News beat editors for judging. Based on their expertise in each technology area, 71 finalists and 23 winners were selected.

The UMQ quick-disconnect feature allows for last minute cable length changes in the field, and since the cable is not attached until the end of the installation process, the potential for cable damage during installation is significantly reduced. And even if a cable is damaged during installation or mat operation, it can simply be replaced in the field without having to replace an entire mat. The quick-disconnect is designed for backward compatibility with the mat cable location of current Omron STI safety mats.

About Omron STI
Omron Scientific Technologies, Inc. - named by Frost & Sullivan as the 2008 North American Machine Safety Company of the Year in recognition of the company’s leading market share and extensive product line - is a North American provider of automation safeguarding products and services. Omron STI provides safety products that are used to protect workers around machinery, automated equipment and industrial robots.

Omron Scientific Technologies Inc., 6550 Dumbarton Circle, Fremont, CA 94555; 1-800-479-3658; (510) 608-3400; fax: (510) 744-1442; sales@sti.com; www.sti.com.