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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

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) is an innovation and micro-manufacturing company delivering ingeniously small motion systems. We serve worldwide markets for mobile products, medical devices, defense and security systems and industrial instruments. Every day our creative engineers and scientists use their deep understanding of micro-mechatronic technologies to solve the most demanding customer problems. Since 2002, the company has been awarded six patents with more pending. We combine our talents with the capabilities of our global strategic partners, who provide “best in class” integrated circuits, ceramic components and high-volume manufacturing. Through direct customer engagements, continuous innovation and strategic partnerships, we deliver disruptively small, precise and low-power motion systems that enable our customers to create smaller feature-rich products.

 

New Scale’s SQUIGGLE® micro motors, TRACKER™ position sensors and M3 micro-mechatronic modules enable design engineers to create smaller products including cameras for mobile phone, medical, military and industrial applications; portable drug delivery and implantable medical devices; endoscopes; precision tuning devices; electronic locks; UAV controls; precision optics and photonic control systems; and cryogenic and MRI-compatible instrumentation.

 

SQUIGGLE is a registered trademark and TRACKER and New Scale Pathway are trademarks of New Scale Technologies, Inc.

 

Please note: Press releases are current as published, but are not updated after posting. Refer to our product pages for current product information including specifications.


For more information contact:

Fred Haas, Sales Manager, New Scale Technologies
Phone 585-924-4450 x 112
fhaas@newscaletech.com


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