Victor, NY – July 25, 2011 – New Scale Technologies, Inc. (www.newscaletech.com) has upgraded the lifetime specification and provided new repeatability data for its miniature M3-F focus module, which replaces fixed lens holders in compact board cameras for biometric detection, medical diagnostics, machine vision and other applications.
Based on continuous design improvements and testing, the new lifetime specification is >2 million cycles mean time before failure in a fixed orientation or >500,000 cycles in random orientation. The position repeatability is +/- 5 microns uni-directional and +/- 20 microns bi-directional, demonstrating best-in-class performance for high-resolution imaging applications. Complete specifications and updated data sheet are at http://www.newscaletech.com/M3-F.html.
“Image quality is directly proportional to lens position repeatability with autofocus algorithms such as image resolution hill climbing,” said David Simpson, vice president of marketing and sales for New Scale. “Our testing confirms that the M3-F module out-performs competing miniature focus solutions in resolution, and is highly competitive in terms of lifetime. With the added benefit of lower external processing requirements and lower overall system cost, the M3-F module is the clear winner for compact, high-resolution camera applications.”
With a total footprint of 20 x 22 x 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. 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. The embedded closed-loop drive delivers high repeatability, low temperature dependence and no hysteresis.
The M3-F module is based on New Scale’s M3 micro-mechatronic design platform and incorporates a piezoelectric SQUIGGLE micro motor, drive ASIC, magnetic NSE-5310 position sensor and a microprocessor in a robust polymer housing. It accepts standard threaded lens assemblies from M8 to M12 and is compatible with image sensors up to 17×17 mm, including the 1/2” and 1/1.8” formats.
M3-F developer’s kits are available starting at $750 at New Scale and on DigiKey.
About New Scale Technologies, Inc.
New Scale Technologies (www.newscaletech.com) is an innovation and micro-manufacturing company delivering ingeniously small motion systems. We serve worldwide markets for mobile products, medical devices, defense and security systems and industrial instruments. Every day our creative engineers and scientists use their deep understanding of micro-mechatronic technologies to solve the most demanding customer problems. We combine our talents with the capabilities of our global strategic partners, to provide “best in class” integrated circuits, ceramic components and high-volume manufacturing. Through direct customer engagements, continuous innovation and strategic partnerships, we deliver disruptively small, precise and low-power motion systems that enable our customers to create smaller feature-rich products.
New Scale produces M3 micro-mechatronic modules and custom motion systems using innovative technology such as the patented UTAF™ and SQUIGGLE® micro motors, piezo motor drivers, position sensors and more. Applications include micro cameras for mobile phone, medical, military and industrial applications; portable drug delivery and implantable medical devices; endoscopes; precision tuning devices; electronic locks; UAV controls; precision optics and photonic control systems; and cryogenic and MRI-compatible instrumentation.
