Squiggle motors: [www.newscaletech.com] https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15909#msg-15909 Mon, 11 May 2026 01:42:59 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15913#msg-15913 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15913#msg-15913
I experimented with some inchworm-drives and built some micro-(and nano-)-positioning stages with 'piezolegs' and ferrofluidic actuators.

The drives were capable of 20mm travel range, accuracies of 0,1 microns per single step or single nanometers in 'bending-mode', but you have to apply a measurement system capable of same accuracy, or it didn't have exact repeatability.

So we sold 3-axis-positioning systems with 20mm travel in each direction, 4mm/s speed and an accuracy of 0,1 microns for 'microscope-controlled manual positioning' with a joystick for nearly 3000 Euros.

When combined with a measurement system capable of 0,1 microns too for closed-loop, this 3-axis-system would be more than 8000 Euros!

So this types of motors are nice for moving micro-parts and -tools in the working-area of a microscope, but for serious working in this dimensions it's only the 'motor' - for real applications you have to add three to four times the money for the scales ...

Viktor]]> VDX General Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:12:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15912#msg-15912 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15912#msg-15912 degroof General Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:28:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15911#msg-15911 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15911#msg-15911
[www.newscaletech.com]

Take a look and see what you think. It struck me as at least a magnitude less than what we could live with. :(]]> Forrest Higgs General Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:24:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15910#msg-15910 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15910#msg-15910 Kyle Corbitt General Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:20:51 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15909#msg-15909 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,15909,15909#msg-15909 [www.newscaletech.com]]]> nophead General Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:57:32 -0400