Piezoelectric Actuators

Various types of piezoelectric actuators exist

• stack actuators (d₃₃-operation)
• shear actuators (d₁₅-operation)
• bending actuators (d₁₃-operation)

Actuators may consist of

• bulk material (high-voltage)
• multi-layer (low-voltage)

Piezoelectric actuators are characterized by

• small displacement (typically several microns)
• high accuracy (typically nanometer resolution)
• high force
• high stiffness
• high bandwidth
• minimal static energy consumption

The stroke of piezoelectric actuators is limited by the maximum electric field that may be applied. The maximum stroke of a stack actuator typically is approximately 0.1% of its length.

The stroke of piezoelectric actuators can be increased by means of mechanical amplification. An increase of stroke is inherently accompanied by a reduction of force, stiffness, and bandwidth.

A piezoelectric bender may be regarded as an actuator with built-in amplification. The maximum stroke of a bender may be more than 1% of its length.
 

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