Precision piezoelectric lens motion modules are now in
production in camera systems from leading OEMs in key markets; more
than 50 additional OEMs have completed qualification of camera
systems to begin production in 2011- 2012
Victor, NY — Oct. 11, 2011 — New Scale
Technologies today announced that its
miniature M3-F focus module is currently in production in
commercial camera systems for biometric identification, medical
devices and various machine vision applications by leading OEMs in
these markets. More than 50 OEM additional customers have completed
qualification of the M3-F focus module in vision systems that are
slated to go into volume production over the next six months.
New Scale and its OEM customers worked closely with precision
lens manufacturer Sunex (http://www.optics-online.com)
on a large number of these projects for help with lens specification
and optical system design.
"The ability to adjust focus using software is increasingly a
high-priority feature in compact cameras for applications requiring
high image quality along with fast and automatic image capture, such
as biometric detection and medical devices," said David Simpson,
vice president of marketing and sales for New Scale. "The widespread
adoption of the M3-F is validation of its performance advantage and
the ease with which it can be integrated into OEM board camera
systems."
In biometric identification,
the M3-F focus module improves usability by enabling image capture
over a greater depth of field, typically about one inch to infinity
depending on the lens. This makes it easier to position the eye in
front of a biometric ID camera and results in a more accurate iris,
face or fingerprint match with less time and effort on the part of
the user.
In medical diagnostic systems, the
M3-F focus module enables faster and more accurate sample analysis
and alleviates the need for highly meticulous sample positioning. It
also improves usability of medical devices such as endoscopic
imaging by reducing the amount of time required to align the scope.
The M3-F also adds flexibility to
machine vision systems, allowing them to image a wider variety
parts without regard to their exact distance from the camera, and to
image parts that have significant variations in depth.
With a footprint of 20 x 22 mm, a height of 16 mm and no external
control board, the M3-F easily replaces fixed lens holders over CCD
or CMOS image sensors without adding to the camera size. It is
compatible with image sensors up to 17x17 mm, including the 1/2” and
1/1.8” formats.
The M3-F accepts high-quality glass or polymer lenses, which have
greater transmission and clarity than non-traditional composite
lenses of liquid or liquid crystal. It accepts standard threaded
lens assemblies from M8 to M12 in size and up to 5 grams in weight.
The M3-F moves lenses with 0.5 micron position resolution and
very low tip/tilt, keeping the image focused on the center of the
image sensor. The embedded closed-loop drive delivers high
repeatability, low temperature dependence and no hysteresis.
Data sheets, developer’s kits and pricing
M3-F developer's kit details and specifications are at
http://www.newscaletech.com/M3-F.html.
Developer’s kits are priced from $750 and are available for
purchase online from
New Scale and
DigiKey.
For more information on the M3-F in camera systems, see the
application note
M3-F focus modules in camera system design.
|
