This section provides an overview for ultrasonic motors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 ultrasonic motor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked ultrasonic motor companies as of November, 2024: 1.Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc., 2.Wischnewskiy Ultrasonic Motors, 3.Thorlabs, Inc.
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An ultrasonic motor is a type of motor that utilizes ultrasonic vibrations to produce rotational or linear motion. Unlike conventional electric motors, ultrasonic motors operate without direct contact between rotating or moving parts. This unique mechanism, involving the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations, results in virtually noiseless operation, making these motors ideal for use in acoustically sensitive environments or in equipment where quietness is essential.
Ultrasonic motors offer rapid motion due to high-frequency vibrations, suitable for applications requiring quick position control and high-speed motion. However, their application is generally limited to small devices. They may require careful design and load evaluation when used for large loads or high torques.
Ultrasonic motors are used in various applications:
In optical equipment like cameras and video cameras, ultrasonic motors are employed for automatic focusing and zooming. Their high-speed response and quiet operation are advantageous for adjusting focal distances and lens sizes with high precision and smooth motion.
These motors are integral to medical devices such as endoscopes and echo imaging devices. Attached to endoscope tips, they enable fine positioning and vibration control, aiding in precise medical procedures and examinations. Their non-contact, silent nature is vital for patient comfort and effective treatment. Ultrasonic motors are also useful in MRI peripherals due to their immunity to magnetic forces.
In robotics, particularly in robot arms and manipulators, ultrasonic motors are chosen for their precision and fast response, essential for fine motion control and positioning in various robotic applications, including industrial and medical robots.
Consumer electronic products such as smartphones and tablets often incorporate ultrasonic motors to provide touch feedback and vibration alerts.
Ultrasonic motors typically operate based on the piezoelectric effect, using materials like ceramics or piezoelectric crystals. When the voltage at the drive frequency, matching the element's inherent vibration frequency, is applied, the piezoelectric element undergoes periodic expansion and contraction. This deformation produces ultrasonic vibrations, which are then converted into rotational or linear motion within the motor.
The typical structure of an ultrasonic motor includes:
The transducer generates ultrasonic vibrations, providing the driving force for the motor, often using piezoelectric elements.
This component receives vibrations from the transducer, amplifying and converting them into motion. The driver can take the form of a rotating shaft or a slip ring for linear motion, often interfacing with a piezoelectric element or another amplifying component.
The rotor, driven by the driver, executes the rotational motion. It is typically a rotating shaft or disk.
Contrasting the rotor, the stator controls the rotational or linear motion. It receives vibrations from the transducer or driver and provides the necessary force or constraint.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Thorlabs, Inc, established in Newton, NJ in 1989, is a manufacturer of photonics equipment for research, manufacturing, and biomedical applications. Their product portfolio includes optical components, for use in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy applications, spectrometers and analyzers used for research and industrial applications, fiber optic components and photomultiplier tubes, and imaging devices that capture and measure light signals for diverse applications in scientific research. The company has sales offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, China, and Brazil.
Physik Instrumente aka PI, founded 50 years ago, is a private company that creates and produces automation systems, including hexapods, air bearings, and piezo drives that are used in life-sciences, photonics, and aerospace industries and research institutes. Their products are manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia. Physik Instrumente is ITAR registered. The company's head office is located in Auburn, America. And its manufacturing and other facilities are located in New England.
Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc. is a precision motion products and services provider based in Franklin, Tennessee since 1998. The firm makes actuators, motors, drivers and other products. It also offers services in precision machining, LabVIEW Consulting, Testing, and more. The company is ISO 9001:201 certified, and specializes in electronics for custom high precision motion control systems and positioning applications. It worked on projects in several industries with commercial, government agencies, national laboratories, and academic institutions.
SHINSEI Corporation, established in Tokyo, Japan, in 1968 is a manufacturer engaged in ultrasonic motors. The company's products are used in a high magnetic field environment, such as near MRI equipment, and are adopted as an actuator for inclusion of many medical equipment. The company also developed High Power Electrostatic Motor as a new style motor which can rotate at high speed in a vacuum. In 2010 the company expanded its factory.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc. |
21.7%
|
2 | Wischnewskiy Ultrasonic Motors |
19.6%
|
3 | Thorlabs, Inc |
18.2%
|
4 | Tekceleo |
16.8%
|
5 | SHINSEI Corporation |
15.4%
|
6 | PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. |
7.0%
|
7 | Piezo Sonic Co., Ltd. |
1.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the ultrasonic motor page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 3 | 42.9% |
Japan | 2 | 28.6% |
France | 1 | 14.3% |
Canada | 1 | 14.3% |