Piezoelectric Direct Drive Stages, Piezo Actuators for Precision Motion and Automation Applications
https://www.pi-usa.us/en/tech-blog/reliable-piezo-motion-devices-for-industrial-and-space-applications/ How does a piezoelectric transducer (actuator) work? Modern Piezo actuators are based on thin piezoceramic layers manufactured in a co-fired process to form a monolithic unit. They are also called multilayer actuators, similar to multilayer ceramic capacitors. When an electric voltage is applied to the piezo actuators electrodes, the unit changes its shape, and thus displacement. Depending on the cross section of the piezo ceremic forces from hundreds to 10's of thousands of Newtons can be generated allowing for precision positioning of heavy loads or active correction or vibration cancellation.
Piezoelectric actuators are often used in applications including precision motion control, precision dispensing, force control, vibration control, nanopositioning, medical devices, etc. https://www.pi-usa.us/en/products/microscope-stages-bio-imaging-life-sciences/applications-for-medical-engineering-life-sciences/ A piezo motion tutorial (Piezo Control Wiki) can be found here https://www.pi-usa.us/en/products/piezo-motors-stages-actuators/piezo-motion-control-tutorial/
Run time: 1:27min
How do Piezo Actuators Work? Direct Drive vs. Flexure Actuators: Closed-Loop Motion, Force Position
Video Credit: PI (Physik Instrumente) LP