Content Piezoelectric actuators (transducers) are precision ceramic actuators which convert electrical energy directly into linear motion with high speed, force and virtually unlimited resolution. These actuators are used in every modern high tech field from semiconductor test & inspection to super-resolution microscopy, bio-nanotechnology and astronomy/aerospace technology. Read article on reliability in industrial / space applications . Different Types of Piezo Acutators/Motors: PI provides many different types of piezo actuators and motors: from stack actuators to flexure guided, motion amplified assemblies; from stick-slip mini motor stages to high speed ultrasonic motors for linear and rotary motion. But also tubes , benders , shear actuators and flexible transducers, are available. Flexure Actuators, Long Travel Actuators – Motion to 1mm and Above Piezo Stacks, Multilayer and Discrete Designs, Motion to 180µm, Force to 70kN Introduction to Flexure-Guided and Motion-Amplified Piezo Actuators Flexure-guided and motion-amplified piezo ceramic actuators provide longer displacement ranges compared to piezo stacks in a more compact package. They are designed with protective preloads and several types of integrated flexure-guiding mechanisms are feasible depending on the guiding precision required in the application. PI provides a large variety of standard and custom designs. Travel ranges to 1mm and more feasible Fast response, Sub-millisecond feasible Extreme reliability: Tests at NASA's JPL have shown 100 billion cycles of life Sub-nanometer resolution Vacuum-compatible versions Closed-loop versions Backlash-free construction Show more Small footprint of 13x20mm PICMA® long-life piezo actuator Position sensor option for closed-loop operation Flexure guided = Frictionless & straight motion High dynamics and stiffness PICMA® long-life piezo actuator Closed Loop Force Control at the Gripper Jaws Blocking Force = 4N Unloaded Travel = 500µm Force sensitivity = 0.01N Response time = 10msec Position sensor option for closed-loop operation Compact, cost-effective design High dynamics and stiffness PICMA® long-life piezo actuator Flexure guided = Frictionless & straight motion To 400N force, high stiffness & dynamics PICMA® long-life piezo actuator Custom flexure actuator designs with larger travel ranges, higher forces or faster response, as well as non-magnetic versions are feasible. Applications: Flexure actuators are ideal for OEM applications in biotechnology, nano-dispensing, microfluidics, valve control, fast switching and nanopositioning, optics, medical-devices, life-sciences. Encased, Preloaded Piezoelectric Stack Actuators Multilayer, Low Voltage These encased piezoelectric actuators are drivenby cofired multilayer PICMA® piezo stacks. PICMA® piezo stacks are extremely reliable and survived 100 billion cycles of life-testing and harsh environments in space and on the Mars Rover with no failures. Preloading a piezo stack inside a case by means of special springs allows the actuator to handle higher tensile forces. Hermetically sealed actuators with inert gas filling can be used in harsh environments. Custom actuator designs with larger travel ranges, higher forces or faster response, as well as non-magnetic versions are feasible. Applications: Piezo actuators can provide high forces and virtually unlimited positional resolution down to the sub-nanometer range. They make for ideal “OEM motion engines” in fields such as biotechnology, nano-dispensing, microfluidics, fast switching and valve control, nanopositioning, optical alignment, microscopy, medical-devices, and life-sciences. 1000N Load, Closed-Loop Option 15 to 90µm displacement Pushing forces to 1000N Closed-loop for high accuracy Closed-loop for high accuracy Load capacity up to 4000 N per piezo shim actuator Long-term stable without permanent power supply Avoids time-consuming manual adjusting processes Nanometer resolution and displacement up to 10µm Temperature sensor Discrete These high force piezoelectric actuator are designed with stacks of discrete piezo disks made from “hard” PZT formulations. They are encased and preloaded to handle high push/pull forces. A variety of models with piezo ceramics diameters up to 35mm are available for different load requirements. Custom actuator designs with larger travel ranges, higher forces or faster response, as well as non-magnetic versions are feasible. Applications: These piezo actuators provide high forces and wide temperature ranges: some models up to 200 degrees C. They are used in high-performance optics and laser applications, precision machining, and downhole applications. Show more These piezo stacks and chips are manufactured based on multilayer cofiring technology at PI’s piezo ceramics division PI Ceramic. The patented design comprises an all-ceramic outer layer of the actuator, which acts as insulation making them more durable. The lack of conformal coating is an advantage in high vacuum applications. Hermetically sealed versions with inert gas filling can be used in harsh environments. Custom actuator designs with larger travel ranges, higher forces or faster response, as well as non-magnetic versions are feasible. Applications: Piezo actuators provide high forces, unlimited resolution in the sub-nanometer range and are ideal for OEM applications in biotechnology, nano-dispensing, microfluidics, valve control, fast switching and nanopositioning, optics, medical-devices, life-sciences. Polymer-free cofired stack design Used in the Mars Rover Discovery Patented ceramic-encapsulation Fast response, for dynamic operation Sub-nanometer resolution Ideal for dynamic operation Sub-millisecond response / Sub-nanometer resolution Superior lifetime High Force and Ultra-Linear Materials PICA piezo stacks are built from discrete piezo disks made from “hard” PZT formulations. They are available in a large variety of diameters and shapes for different load requirements and applications. Discrete actuators are well suited for customizations, even in smaller quantities. They can operate under temperature ranges, some models up to 200 degrees C. They are used in high-performance optics and laser applications, precision machining, and downhole applications. Crystalline piezo materials can provide extremely high linearity which is an advantage for high dynamics applications – no need for feedback sensors and closed-loop circuitry. The improved linearity comes at the expense of displacement. High temp option to 200°C Extreme reliability >1 billion cycles Proven and flexible design Sub-nm resolution, Sub-msec response Provides linear motion in open loop – ideal for high dynamics applications Low electrical power consumption Multilayer, Steel-Ceramic and Laminated Transducers for Extra Flexibility Bimorph, unimorph and multimorph bending mode actuators make use of different layers of active and non-active materials. Lateral motion created by the d31 effect is amplified multiple times. The advantage is relatively large amount of motion (100’s of microns to millimeters) in a very compact, low profile package. With the extended motion comes a trade off in force and stiffness. PI manufactures multilayer (low voltage) and discrete bimorph bender actuators in different standard and custom shapes. DuraAct® patch transducers are laminated and provide great flexibility with bending radii to 12mm. They can be used as senor in structural health testing and as actuator at the same time. Another version based on longitudinally oriented multilayer piezo ceramics (DuraAct Power) uses the high-efficiency d33 effect with reduced operating voltage. Show more Fast response (<10 Millisecond) Sensor and Actuator Patch transducer can be used as actuator, sensor or energy source Highly formable ceramics Customized solutions on request Piezo Tubes and Tubular Piezo Stacks, Piezo Shear Actuators Traditional PZT tube actuators are often used in scanning microscopy applications, fiber-optics, and nano-dispensing. When a voltage is applied, the tube shrinks radially and axially proportional with the voltage. Due to the low mass they are very fast, but cannot support high loads. For high-load applications and when axial motion is required, the P-080 multi-layer tubular stacks are recommended, or the PICA Thru discrete tubular stack family, for extra high loads. PICA Shear actuators can also be used in lateral scanning applications. They are more robust than scanner tubes and come in single axis to XYZ configurations. Show more From <2mm Diameter Miniature size option Sub-nanometer resolution Fast response, for dynamic operation Extreme reliability >1B cycles Compact Multi-Axis Positioners To 10µm travel For fast scanning Piezo Actuator Basics It is important to understand the principles to pick the best type for an application. For more information on the differences between piezo motors and actuators and their applications watch the video below, refer to the piezo motion tutorial or just contact a PI applications engineer for help. High Curie / Operating Temperatures: PI's piezo ceramic formulation boasts a high Curie temperature for a wide operating temperature range. PI's discrete actuators and the PICMA cofired stacks are available for operating temperatures up to 200 deg C. PI's award-winning and MARS-Rover-Proven PICMA® ceramic-encapsulated co-fired piezo stacks are polymer-free and combine superior performance with extremely long lifetime. PI's piezo ceramic design and manufacturing division - PI Ceramic - provides the capability and flexibility to offer highly engineered custom sub-assemblies at a very attractive price. 100 Billion Cycles of Life Testing, Space Qualified Custom & Value Added Assemblies / Manufacturing Video: Manufacturing of custom piezos Video: Programmable piezo shims. Compliance with Applicable Laws; Export Control Laws User access to this website is governed by all applicable federal, state, and local laws. All information available on this website is subject to U.S. export control laws and may also be subject to the laws of the country where you reside.