New
Scale Technologies' new M3 micro actuator
module is smaller, more precise and easier to integrate than traditional
electromagnetic motor systems. Each module is a complete closed-loop motion
control system with 0.5 micron position resolution in a footprint of 12x30 mm
or smaller, and contains a patented Squiggle piezoelectric micro motor that
runs on 3V without voltage boost (compared to 40V for other piezo motors); a
position sensor; drive ASIC and microprocessor for onboard closed-loop PID
control. This combination of features means that no external control board is
necessary. Modules have 3.3V input voltage and low power consumption for long
battery life in handheld devices.
With
no external controller, electrical integration can be accomplished by sending
high-level ASCII motion commands to the M3 module via a standard serial
interface (I2C or SPI). Breakthroughs in this model include a drive ASIC with control
and performance optimization functions on the chip and a miniature non-contact
position sensor. M3-F focus modules are used in compact cameras for machine
vision and biometric imaging.
Mechanical
integration is customized to the application and possibilities include
integrating a lens within the module or pushing a lever external to the module.
M3-L linear actuators provide linear motion for applications such as tunable RF
filters, photonic tuning devices, optical instrumentation, precision hand-held
devices, aerospace controls and biomedical systems.
Almost every automaker has had to 'pick a side' when it comes to alternative fuel options and ways to divest from a reliance on gasoline. Fiat is looking to back compressed natural gas or liquid propane as an interim solution.
Designing and filling a new type of water bottle might take less engineering work, but the description will help kids understand how science, math, and engineering influence their lives even through things that seem mundane.
Against a backdrop of mounting product complexity and a need to keep a lid on development costs, companies are recognizing a need to make simulation a more integral part of the design process. In response, vendors in the CAD world are building out CAE functionality as part of their CAD suites while simulation vendors are building tighter integrations to leading CAD tools. Keith Meintjes, Ph.D., Practice Manager, Simulation and Analysis at CIMdata, Inc., joins Design News CAD Editor Beth Stackpole in this radio program to explore the new face of integrated CAD and CAE, how companies are benefitting from this tighter partnership between platforms, and how integrating CAE earlier in the development cycle pays off in optimized product designs.
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