AUBURN, Mass., 6 Aug. 2012.PI Ceramic, a piezo ceramics specialist in Auburn, Mass., introduces bimorph piezo actuators for applications such as fast optical switches, beam deflection, micropositioning acceleration sensors, pneumatic valves, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and bio-nanotechnology.
Bimorph piezo actuators achieve a mechanical amplification effect by different layers expanding at different rates, says a representative. PI Ceramic’s new actuators are co-fired; they are monolithic and all layers are produced in one step.
The new actuators achieve long travel ranges with motion to 2 mm and nanometer resolution. Response times are in the millisecond range, important for fast switching or scanning applications. The monolithic design provides excellent mechanical stability and low operating voltage, and can be operated at temperatures to 150 degrees C.
The piezo bimorph actuators can be factory equipped with position feedback sensors for closed-loop operation. Controllers, OEM driver electronics/piezo power supplies are also available.
The new bimorph actuators come in a variety of standard and custom shapes, from rectangular stripes to triangles, circular disks with optional aperture, etc. Compact versions with only a few millimeters in size can be produced.
A piezo actuator is a ceramic device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy or motion with high precision, speed and force. There is no friction and wear involved resulting in a device with very high motion resolution and virtually unlimited lifetime. Two basic types of piezo actuators are common: bulk/stacked/glued discrete actuators and cofired (multilayer, monolithic) actuators.
Courtney Howard | Executive Editor
Courtney, as executive editor, enjoys writing about all things electronics and avionics in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Military & Aerospace Electronics, Avionics Intelligence, the Avionics Europe conference, and much more. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, and on LinkedIn.
