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August 20, 2007 - Victor, NY - 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.
Details and downloadable data sheets are available on New Scale's
motor controller web page.
About New Scale Technologies
New Scale Technologies (www.newscaletech.com) creates disruptively small
motion systems based on our patented piezoelectric SQUIGGLE® motor, the world’s
smallest linear motor. This ultrasonic motor is smaller, more precise, less
expensive, more robust and more power-efficient than other micro motors. We
create complete motion systems integrating SQUIGGLE motor technology with
supporting electronics (ASICs) developed in partnership with austriamicrosystems (www.austriamicrosystems.com).
New Scale’s micro motors and micro-actuator modules enable design engineers
to create smaller products including mobile phone cameras, 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 systems, 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. |
