Application in a Space Camera
Based on the experience gathered in terrestrial vacuum applications Micromotion GmbH is now fulfilling applications in space mechanisms. The miniature dimensions, low weight and excellent positioning accuracy enable completely new design solutions for positioning actuators and mechanisms.
A typical example is the use of the Micro Harmonic Drive® gear in an electro-mechanical sub-assembly for focussing the objective of a camera, developed by the Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Spohn. This institute is part of the German Aerospace Research Centre (DLR) and has developed the camera for use on a planetary rover vehicle. The new focussing mechanism, designed and built completely by Micromotion GmbH, will allow the camera to guide the vehicle to surface objects and then undertake microscopic analysis of these objects.
The camera lens is mounted on a carriage, moved axially by an eccentric mechanism mounted on the output of the Micro Harmonic Drive® gearbox. This solution is dramatically lighter and more compact than previous designs.
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DLR e.V. www.dlr.de
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| Open Camera Assembly | A postage stamp photographed with the camera |
The team of DLR: (from left to right) Bernd Pforte, Dr. Harald Michaelis and Jürgen Kachlicki |
