Machine Vision

Motorized lens motion adds power and versatility to smart cameras and compact machine vision cameras. It gives camera manufacturers a competitive advantage in industrial applications ranging from inspection, factory automation and process control, to electronics and pharmaceutical packaging, robotics and more. It also provides key advantages in rapidly growing non-industrial applications such as medical diagnostics, security and aerospace.

Auto focus allows for a greater variation in target objects to be imaged and improves accuracy of results. Remote lens adjustment enables much faster line changeover for industrial inspection. Remote focus and zoom functions provide the highest image quality in systems where camera accessibility is limited.

With our patented piezoelectric motor and related technology, New Scale provides the smallest, highest-resolution motion solutions for machine vision applications.

 

Our miniature focus modules easily replace fixed-focus lens holders in the most compact cameras. Small, lightweight and with low power requirements, they are ideal for handheld and portable systems and are rugged enough for aerospace and security applications.

We also provide miniature closed-loop motion systems for zoom, pan and tilt.

M3-F Customizable Focus Module

M3-F focus modules are customizable, fully integrated, closed-loop actuators that mount directly on a camera PCB.

 

• Customized for lenses from M6 to M12
• Size approximately 20 x 22 x 16 mm
• Resolution 0.5 µm, accuracy better than 30 µm
• Step and settle time < 20 ms for a 30 µm step.

 

The M3-F module is based on New Scale’s M3 design platform. This design platform incorporates a piezoelectric SQUIGGLE micro motor, motor drive ASIC, position sensor and microprocessor. The modules accept high-level digital commands via standard serial interface (I2C or SPI). No external control board is necessary.

 

M3-F modules have low power consumption and maintain focus position during power-off. They use a 3.3V input voltage for battery-powered operation.

 

M3-F modules have smaller size, higher resolution, and lower power use than traditional stepper motors. They are less expensive, afford more flexibility and are easier to integrate than liquid lenses. They accept many off-the-shelf lenses typically used in fixed focus applications.

 

The M3-F can be rapidly customized to OEM specifications including mounting interface, lens dimensions, and macro and infinity image plane locations.

 

Figure 1 shows the M3-F focus module. In this example he module mounts on the OEM’s camera PCB, over the image sensor. The M3 design platform enables rapid delivery of other mounting options such as C-Mount configurations for machine vision cameras.

Figure 1 -  M3-F focus module mounts over the image sensor on a board camera. The M3 design platform enables rapid delivery of other mounting options such as C-Mount.

 

Figure 2 shows a block diagram for the M3-F focus module in a camera system. The SQUIGGLE motor moves the focus lens assembly. The NSE position sensor detects the movement of a multi-pole magnetic strip attached to the lens assembly, and provides the direct digital position information to the motion control processor. The NSD motor drive ASIC accepts commands from the processor and drives the motor. System input is provided as high-level commands from the camera board microprocessor via standard I2C or SPI serial interface. The M3-F operates on standard 3.3 V battery power.

 

Figure 2 – The M3-F focus module incorporates a SQUIGGLE motor, drive ASIC, position sensor and processor. The on-board processor accepts high-level commands via standard serial interface.

 

Pan, tilt and optical zoom

In addition to focus, New Scale applies its SQUIGGLE motor technology to optical zoom, pan and tilt applications. All functions can be powered by the same 3.3 V power source. SQUIGGLE motors provide:

• The smallest size
• The lowest power consumption
• The highest resolution
• The highest holding force

New Scale creates complete closed-loop motion systems that are rapidly customized to OEM specifications, and easily controlled using a standard microcontroller interface.