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Victor, NY - October 13, 2009 – New Scale Technologies today announced the first shipment of custom auto focus modules that install directly on board-mounted cameras and accept standard threaded lens assemblies. This compact lens motion module uses New Scale's tiny SQUIGGLE® motor, TRACKER™ position sensor and integrated electronics to provide extremely compact, high-resolution closed-loop control. These components are combined with precise mechanical guidance in a robust polymer housing only slightly larger than the optical lens assembly. "We are now providing plug-and-play motorized focus solutions that can be adapted to any PCB-mounted camera," stated Ralph Weber, product manager at New Scale. "This new product platform is fast, precise and easy to integrate. We enable our customers to create high-performance camera solutions in less time and at lower cost."

This lens motion module can be easily and rapidly customized to fit almost any board-mounted camera using parametric computer design tools. The customer must define the PCB mechanical mounting interface, dimensions of the threaded lens assembly, and the macro and infinity image plane locations. The drive electronics are provided on a separate circuit board that accepts USB, analog and I2C motion commands. As an option, New Scale can provide this chip set for direct integration on the camera circuit board.

Specification summary for customizable AF module

• Stroke ....................... > 2 mm
• Lens mass ................. up to 10 g
• Velocity ...................... 7 mm/s
• Encoder type .............. Hall sensor array, incremental (absolute over 2 mm)
• Position resolution ........ 0.5 µm (micro meters)
• Position repeatability ..... 2 µm (micro meters)
• Lens thread ...................M6 to M12
• Mechanical limits ..........Included
• Standard commands ..... Move to Target, Move Step
• Step and settle time.... < 20 ms for a 30 µm (micro meter) step
• Motion interface .......... Digital: USB (using Windows® GUI) or I2C / Analog: 0 to 3.3 volts

Price and availability

Typical pricing is $99 each for quantities of 1,000 units and $59 each for quantities of 10,000 units, plus customization fee. Contact New Scale with your requirements: call (585) 924-4450 or email sales@newscaletech.com.