Patented piezoelectric micro motor has smallest size, high force and
speed
The SQUIGGLE motor is a revolutionary linear micro motor that
sets new benchmarks for small size and big performance. This
patented ultrasonic motor creates high force and speed with only a
few parts - compare to complex electromagnetic gearhead motors with
hundreds of parts. SQUIGGLE micro motors allow product designers to
add motion features into products where they could not have been
imagined before.
This simple, robust piezo motor is scalable to much smaller sizes
than electromagnetic motors, without significant loss of power
efficiency. This makes it ideal for portable consumer products such
as micro cameras and
wearable medical devices.
SQUIGGLE Micro Motor Features
- Precise: nanometer resolution
- Fast: variable speed from 1 µm/second to 10 mm/second
- Strong: models with up to 5 Newton force
- Tiny: as small as 1.8 x 1.8 x 6 mm
- Quiet and smooth
- Non-magnetic, vacuum and cryogenic options
available
Quick Links
Specifications for our small,
smaller and
smallest motors
Developer's kits and reference designs
Custom development capabilities
Download the overview brochure (PDF)
The SQUIGGLE Motor Operating Principle
Piezoelectric actuators change shape when electrically excited. A
SQUIGGLE motor consists of several piezoelectric ceramic actuators
attached to a threaded nut, with a mating threaded screw inside.
Applying power to the actuators creates ultrasonic vibrations,
causing the nut to vibrate in an orbit - similar to a person's hips
in a "Hula Hoop." Linear micro motors The rotating nut turns the threaded
screw, creating a smooth in-and-out linear motion.
Thread friction drives the shaft, directly converting rotary motion to linear motion. This means:
- No parasitic drag - less wasted power
- Zero backlash (with a light pre-load)
- Very high stiffness
- Nanometer resolution and high force
- Smooth velocity at microscopic speeds
- Off-power hold
- Very small diameter
- Manual screw rotation for off-power positioning
- Standard linear motors feature direct linear drive - no
gearbox
The speed and position of the threaded screw can be
precisely controlled. Most importantly, the screw holds its position
when the power is turned off.
Rotary micro motors
We have also developed a
rotary piezoelectric motor using the SQUIGGLE motor operating
principle. This rotary motor has twice the torque of similar-sized
DC micro motors. It needs no gear reduction mechanism, delivering
high peak torque at sustained speeds as well as high holding torque.
Non-magnetic motors, vacuum and cryogenic motors
The SQUIGGLE motor generates no magnetic fields. It can be made from non-ferrous metals
for use in MRI, scanning electron microscopy and focused ion
microscopy applications. We can also
make custom SQUIGGLE motors for use in vacuum, UHV and cryogenic
environments.
Closed Loop Systems
SQUIGGLE motors have excellent position resolution: you can
signal the motor to move very small distances, measured in microns
or nanometers. However, the motor speed will vary with applied
load and device friction. Therefore closed-loop control is
recommended for applications requiring exact position, repeatable
position, or precise speed.
Our miniature TRACKER position
sensors pair with SQUIGGLE motors to create "ingeniously small"
closed-loop motion systems. Or contact our engineering team
regarding custom development of closed-loop motion modules for your
application.
Learn More about Piezoelectric Micro Motors and other Miniature
Motion Systems
Call us at (585) 924-4450 x 112 or
email us today. |
