OCTOBER 23, 2007--New Scale Technologies (Victor, NY, USA; www.newscaletech.com) has commissioned its microprecision automated manufacturing line in Victor, NY. The company is using the new line for high-volume production of its patented SQUIGGLE motors, the world's smallest linear motor. The $1M expansion allows New Scale to increase its production capacity to 100,000 tiny SQUIGGLE motors per month.
"This is a major milestone in our drive to capture high-volume markets such as mobile phone cameras and electronic locks and latches," said Dan Viggiano III, general manager of OEM and industrial accounts at New Scale. "The successful commissioning proves our ability to produce tiny piezoelectric motors at high enough volume and low enough cost for OEM applications."
New Scale has several existing and anticipated contracts to deliver SQUIGGLE motors for use in mobile phone camera modules, electronic locks, and other miniature devices. Piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motors are only a few millimeters in size and draw far less power than conventional electromagnetic micromotors.
The new automated assembly line can produce a SQUIGGLE motor every 90 s, with upgrades scheduled for 2008 that will more than double that speed. Highly flexible tooling allows for conversion of the line from one motor model to another in minutes. Electronic test algorithms enable 100% qualification of every motor produced.