PA - Piezoelectric Actuation
Brief description
This 1-day course provides a practical introduction to piezoelectric actuation. Fundamental physical effects and material characteristics are explained before common actuator types and control methods are presented. The principles of piezoelectric motors and mechanical amplification are discussed, and various practical applications are investigated.
Who should attend
Mechanical and electrical engineers, system designers, technology managers and specialists concerned with novel actuation design and evaluation. Attendees should possess basic mathematical skills.
Course objectives
Upon completion, participants should be able to do the following:
- Understand the principle of piezoelectric actuators.
- Know the meaning of piezoelectric constants and be able to size actuators and amplifiers for practical applications.
- Have an overview of mechanical amplification methods and motor designs.
- Appreciate the benefits and limitations of piezoelectric actuators.
- Be aware of the influence of environmental effects on performance and actuator life.
- Be able to select metrology solutions for position monitoring and closed-loop control.
- Have an overview of open- and closed-loop control methods for improved dynamic performance.
Course contents
Introduction
- Piezoelectric materials.
- Direct and reverse piezoelectric effect.
- Applications for piezo actuators.
Piezomechanics
- Displacement of piezo actuators, hysteresis, creep.
- Actuator stiffness.
- Effect of pre-tensioning and external forces.
- Dynamic operation, mechanical resonance.
Piezoelectrics
- Piezoelectric coefficients and equations.
- Characteristics of static and dynamic operation.
- Efficiency, heat generation.
- Influence of environmental effects (temperature, humidity, vacuum).
Piezo actuator types
- Stacks and multilayer actuators.
- Bimorphs - plate and ring benders.
- Tubes and membranes.
Mechanical motion amplification
- Flextensional actuators.
- X-frame and diamond frame amplification.
- Piezoelectric motors.
Control
- Amplifier types.
- Piezo metrology for open- and closed-loop control.
- Methods to improve piezo dynamics.
Workshops
TBA.
Laboratory sessions
TBA.