Ingeniously Small Motion Systems

  home | about us | news | careers | contact us

 
overview
miniature OEM motors
micro-actuator modules
lab & vacuum motors
motorized stages
motor controllers
motor product finder
data sheet downloads
articles & papers
application notes
Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon

Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter

View a sample issue

Contact us:
(585) 924-4450
email:
sales@newscaletech.com

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. It replaces complex electromagnetic gearhead motors which have hundreds of parts.

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 mobile phone cameras and wearable medical devices.

SQUIGGLE Motor Features

  • Precise: nanometer resolution
  • Fast: variable speed from 1 µm/second to 10 mm/second
  • Strong: 5 Newton force
  • Tiny: as small as 1.5 x 1.5 x 6 mm
  • Quiet and smooth
  • Non-magnetic, vacuum and cryogenic options available

Download SQUIGGLE overview brochure (2.8Mb PDF)


The SQUIGGLE Motor Operating Principle

Piezo 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.”

 

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
  • High torque at low speeds, with no gearbox
  • Smooth velocity at microscopic speeds
  • Off-power hold
  • Very small diameter
  • Manual screw rotation for off-power positioning
 

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.


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. 

Put Piezo Motors to Work

Learn more about piezoelectric motors, have a look at the different SQUIGGLE motors that are available for lab or OEM use, or ask us about creating a tiny piezoelectric motor especially for you. Call us at (585) 924-4450 x 112 or email us today.





back to top


© 2006-2008 New Scale Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.