Ten questions for New Scale on smart motion in defense and electro-optical systems — from the SWaP advantage and integration model through precision, customization, compliance, lead time, and environmental ratings.
What is the advantage of using New Scale's smart motion modules?
The clearest advantages are size, weight, and power. New Scale's modules sit among the lowest in the market on all three, which makes them a strong fit for SWaP-constrained platforms. Just as important, the drive and control electronics are built into the product itself, so no external controller board is required. That sets New Scale apart from many compact motion platforms that still depend on separate electronics, and it removes a layer of integration work from the system designer.
In which application environments have New Scale modules been deployed, and what are the key integration considerations?
In electro-optical and infrared systems, the modules drive focus, optic movement, filter and attenuator wheels, and smart shutters. New Scale is also beginning to see adoption in low-Earth-orbit satellite payloads. Outside defense, the same modules appear across a wide range of medical and scientific instruments.
For the defense and EO/IR work most relevant to Militram's customers, the main integration advantage is that everything needed to drive and control motion already sits inside the module. Integration comes down to supplying DC power and sending motion commands over a standard serial interface, rather than designing and qualifying separate motion electronics.
What level of precision, repeatability, and motion control can New Scale products provide?
New Scale's closed-loop modules deliver sub-micrometer precision, with exact resolution, repeatability, and travel varying by product family. Rather than generalize across stages and actuators that differ widely, New Scale publishes the full performance figures in the datasheet for each model. Share the motion, load, and accuracy your application needs, and New Scale will point you to the right family and walk through the relevant specifications.
Do New Scale modules include the motor, sensor, controller, and software as one integrated solution?
Yes. The piezo motor, position sensor, drive and control electronics, and control firmware are all contained in the body of the module. No external electronics are needed. The designer supplies DC power and high-level motion commands, and the on-board closed-loop controller handles the rest.
Can New Scale products be customized to a customer's mechanical, electrical, or software requirements?
Yes. New Scale routinely tailors modules to a customer's mechanical, electrical, and software requirements. Depending on the scope of the changes, customization usually involves NRE (non-recurring engineering) to cover the one-time design and development effort. The right starting point is a conversation about the specific requirements, which determines how much NRE applies, if any.
Can New Scale support OEM customers from initial feasibility through full system integration and serial production?
Yes, and that end-to-end model is one New Scale offers regularly. The team supports customers from early feasibility through integration and into serial production, staying closely involved on the engineering side to help the program succeed.
Does New Scale hold, or support compliance with, MIL-STD, ITAR, or aerospace-grade quality frameworks?
New Scale's modules are commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products used across many markets, and the company does not currently hold defense-specific certifications such as MIL-STD qualification or ITAR registration. Its manufacturing operates under an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. For programs with specific compliance requirements, the practical next step is to share those requirements with New Scale and confirm what can be supported.
What is the typical lead time for standard products and customized solutions?
Standard products typically ship in two to four weeks, subject to availability. Customized solutions depend on the scope of the work, so lead time is set once the requirements are defined.
What support does New Scale provide during integration and testing, and do you offer evaluation kits or application engineering?
New Scale offers evaluation kits, usually purchased, along with application engineering support. The team works directly with customers on their designs to make sure the implementation is optimized for New Scale's modules, which shortens the path from prototype to a working integration.
What are the operating temperature ranges, shock and vibration tolerances, and minimum size envelopes for your key product families?
These ratings are specific to each product family, and New Scale publishes them in the per-model datasheets. As a general matter, the modules are designed to operate through shock, vibration, and temperature extremes and to hold position without power, which is part of what makes them suitable for portable and ruggedized systems. For any figure not listed on a datasheet, New Scale can confirm it against your application's environment.