Controller Cards work with miniature piezoelectric motors.
Press Release Summary:
Generating ultrasonic-frequency electronic signals to drive SQUIGGLE motors, MC-3000 and MC-1000HR can integrate into OEM instruments, serve as ASIC-ready reference designs, or perform motor evaluation. Miniature cards accept position feedback from commercially available analog or digital position sensors, allowing complete closed-loop control. While each MC-3000 drives 2 SQL-1.5 SQUIGGLE motors, each MC-1000HR runs one SQL-3.4 or SQ-100 Series linear SQUIGGLE motor.
Original Press Release:
New Scale Announces Two New Motor Controllers for its Miniature Piezoelectric Squiggle Motors
MC-3000 and MC-1000HR controller cards feature on-board closed-loop control; easily integrate into OEM instruments or serve as ASIC-ready reference designs
Victor, NY - August 20, 2007 - New Scale Technologies today announced two new motor controllers for its miniature piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motors. Both offer on-board electronics for closed-loop control of the company's patented linear motors. The miniature controllers are suitable for SQUIGGLE motor evaluation, for integration into OEM instruments, and for use as reference designs for OEM systems.
The MC-3000 and MC-1000HR controllers generate ultrasonic-frequency electronic signals to drive SQUIGGLE motors. Both controllers accept position feedback from commercially available analog or digital position sensors, allowing complete closed-loop control of SQUIGGLE motors. Users can easily control motor direction and speed (from micrometers to millimeters per second), move to a target position, move a specified distance, and numerous other functions. SQUIGGLE motor position resolution as small as 20 nm; closed-loop position resolution is determined by the resolution of the position sensor and A/D converter.
The controllers ship with New Scale's motor control software for easy evaluation of SQUIGGLE motors via the Windows PC user interface. An ActiveX control is included, and may be integrated into other applications written in languages such as C++ or Visual Basic. The controllers can also accept ASCII commands or input from an optional manual handset. Documentation describes the low-level ASCII control codes that an embedded system or microcontroller would send to a motor control chip.
MC-3000 motor controller
The new MC-3000 motor controller drives the tiny SQL-1.5 SQUIGGLE motor, the world's smallest linear motor. Each MC-3000 controller runs two motors in open-loop or closed-loop configuration.
MC-3000 specifications:
- Motor compatibility..... Two SQL-1.5 SQUIGGLE motors
- Input voltage..... 3.3 to 5.5 VDC
- Input power..... 1650 mW while driving two motors simultaneously
- Position sensor input..... Analog (12-bit A/D converter) or digital input
- Computer interface..... USB interface for PC (Windows XP or Vista)
- Other interfaces..... RS-485 interface for ASCII commands or optional manual handset
- Dimensions..... 1.150 x 2.275 x 0.875 inches
MC-1000HR motor controller
The MC-1000HR motor controller is a high-resolution version of the original
MC-1000 controller for SQL-3.4 and SQ-100 Series linear SQUIGGLE motors.
Each controller runs one motor in open-loop or closed-loop configuration.
MC-1000 specifications:
- Motor compatibility..... One SQL-3.4 or SQ-100 Series SQUIGGLE motor
- Input voltage..... 5 to 12 VDC with SQL-3.4 motor (24 VDC with SQ-100 motor)
- Maximum current..... 300 mA
- Position sensor input..... Analog (16-bit A/D converter) or digital input
- Computer interface..... RS-232 interface for PC ( Windows XP or Vista)
- Other interfaces ..... RS-485 interface for ASCII commands or optional manual handset
- Dimensions..... 2 x 3 inches (height depends on motor model)
Availability and pricing
Evaluation kits - including a SQUIGGLE motor, motor controller, control software, AC power adapter and cables - are available now starting at $650 for qualified OEMs. New Scale offers significant discounts for larger quantities. We also work with OEM customers to design application-specific modules with integrated motors, controllers, mounts or housings, and position sensors.
About New Scale Technologies
New Scale Technologies, Inc. (www.newscaletech.com) makes miniature piezoelectric motors that enable smaller products and research tools. Our patented SQUIGGLE motor is the world's smallest linear motor. With very few parts and no gears, SQUIGGLE motors are smaller, more precise, less expensive and more efficient than conventional electromagnetic motors. SQUIGGLE motors also operate reliably in extreme environments such as vacuum, cryogenic temperatures and high magnetic fields.
The SQUIGGLE motor consists of piezoelectric ceramics that create ultrasonic vibrations in threaded nut, causing a mating screw to rotate and translate with precise linear movement and high force in a very small space. A key market is for 'focus and zoom' optics in mobile phone cameras -- an emerging market for one billion tiny motors per year. Other SQUIGGLE motor applications include electronic locks and intelligent fasteners, nano-scale fluid control including lab-on-a-chip systems, medical devices including miniature drug pumps and endoscopes, optics and imaging, automotive modules, lasers, aerospace and defense systems, cryogenic and MRI-compatible instruments, and consumer electronics including micro fuel cells.
SQUIGGLE is a registered trademark of New Scale Technologies, Inc.
