/> The M3-F module is a compact lens motion system with a piezoelectric motor, position sensor, drive IC and microprocessor integrated into a single package - about the size of a fixed lens holder - operating on a 3.3 V battery supply. Imaging Diagnostics will use the M3-F to move a custom lens from Sunex (www.sunex.com) with 0.5 micron position resolution. The custom smart camera has a 5MP sensor and embedded DSP for high processing and data transfer capabilities at the price of a regular industrial USB 2.0 camera system.

The M3-F focus module enabled us to very quickly develop an auto-focus USB 2.0 smart camera that is a drop-in replacement for the fixed-focus camera we currently make for this customer, said Ofer Leizerovich, president of Imaging Diagnostics. We are very impressed with the module's small size, high resolution, and ease of integration into our Camelot camera system using the SPI interface. With this innovative technology from New Scale, we've been able to help our customer achieve a very significant time-to-market advantage for their new, higher-performance commercial imaging system.

Imaging Diagnostics chose the M3-F focus module to meet a customer's requirement for rapid delivery of a variable-focus camera system with the same package size as the Camelot USB 2.0 fixed-focus smart camera, while maintaining the Camelot system's ability to operate on USB power alone.

Camelot smart cameras are designed for machine builders and mass production devices. These USB 2.0 smart cameras have a high effective frame rate for faster performance, a buffer on camera for better resolution and more stable frame rate, and an on-camera pre-processor to manage more data. Various interface options ensure stand-alone functionality, small size and competitive pricing. Customized to individual specifications, Camelot smart cameras lower production costs, improve quality and reduce time to market.

New Scale's M3-F focus module is an integrated micro-mechatronics system incorporating a piezoelectric SQUIGGLE micro motor, position sensor, driver and microprocessor in a compact 20 x 22 x 16 mm housing. With small size and low power use, it is ideal for OEM camera systems. Mounted over the sensor on an OEM board camera, it improves image quality and efficiency in applications such as biometric imaging, machine vision and medical diagnostic systems.