Closed-Loop Motion Control System

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.