Piezoelectric motors bring focus to handsets
A
New Scale Technologies product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 22, 2007
New Scale Technologies' partner Tamron demonstrated an ultracompact autofocus and 3x optical zoom lens module for phone cameras at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona last week.
New Scale Technologies' partner Tamron demonstrated an ultracompact autofocus and 3x optical zoom lens module for phone cameras at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona last week.
The new AF 3x zoom module, driven by New Scale's patented piezoelectric Sguiggle motors, measures only 10.8 x 18.2 x 16.3mm.
Tamron, one of the world's leading manufacturers of precision optics, says the new module will offer tremendous flexibility and versatility in layout for handset manufacturers.
The world market for mobile phones cameras is forecast to be nearly one billion by 2009.
Handset makers are moving to incorporate high-end 3 and 5Mpixel image sensors in phone cameras, in order to produce image quality that rivals stand-alone digital cameras.
However, achieving that image quality also requires high-end precision optics and both auto focus and optical zoom capabilities, to project a sharp and clear image onto the sensors.
"Until now, no one has delivered a combination AF 3x zoom lens in a module this small", said David Henderson, President and Chief Technology Officer of New Scale.
"The miniature Squiggle motor has enabled Tamron to deliver high quality optics in the tiny form factor that mobile handset designers demand".
The Squiggle motor's technical advantages over other focus and zoom technologies include small sise, robustness, and low battery power consumption.
Tamron's advantages include a reputation for precision optics and established sales relationships with the world's leading handset manufacturers.
New Scale expects the Squiggle motor to be found in a significant share of next-generation handsets as part of the Tamron AF 3x zoom module.
"The engineering teams in Japan and New York worked together closely to ensure high performance of the integrated motor and precision lens assembly", Henderson said.
"We're very pleased to be working with Tamron in this exciting new market for high-resolution phone cameras".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact New Scale Technologies
Related Stories
- Servo controllers synchronise high-speed switching
- Rhoss chiller unit utilises ABB AC drive
- Heason develops torque motors for Qinetiq's TAHS
- Biscuit factory installs IP65 SMV inverters
- DC drives reduce energy consumption
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
