Piezo Actuators
The purpose of an actuator is to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. This energy conversion can be seen in speakers or motors. Piezoelectric actuators are used for their precise control and efficiency in a wide variety of applications, with precision down to the micrometer. There are multiple types of actuators (explained below) which suit different needs based on their unique properties.
Piezoelectric actuators are very simple in design with little to no maintenance or lubrication required. There are virtually no moving parts and they are quite reliable. For these reasons, they are best suited for applications requiring precise movement, for example in motors and a growing variety of other practical uses.

Please give us an opportunity to show you what we can do. The entire process is fast and efficient. Call us today, in California, at 650-375-7003.
Multilayer Stack Actuators
Mechanics

The underlying principle of piezo stack actuators is the intrinsic quality of constancy. The charge generated is independent of the size of the ceramic a user is working with (this is mathematically modeled by the longitudinal effect). Thus, putting many pieces together creates a multiplicative effect on their transformations’ magnitude for the same voltage, amplifying their power.
Differences Between Discrete and Monolithic Stacks
The main difference between discrete and monolithic stacks two types of stack actuators is their operational voltage. Discrete stacks are generally operable between approximately 500 and 1000 Volts, whereas monolithic stacks are operable around 150 and 200 Volts. Due to their similar compositions, these two types of stacks have negligible differences.
Benefits and Shortcomings
Piezoelectric stack actuators can cover a wide range of requirements, both in terms of voltage and power. Furthermore, they can deal with many extreme types of environments that conventional motors cannot operate in, such as very low temperatures, vacuums, or powerful magnetic fields. They are extremely efficient relative to the conventional motor and have conveniently simple designs. Additionally, multilayer piezo actuators have high acceleration rates and very fast response times.
One shortcoming of stack actuators is that any stress applied to the actuator must be along the cylindrical axis – any other than compressive force may cause complications.
Applications
Given its reliability and accuracy, multilayer piezo actuators are used in a wide variety of precision machinery and motors. Stack actuators are used for nanopositioning microscopes, 3D printers, linear motors, and fine industrial machinery. Pumps and injection valves used in automobiles, IC dispense, LED dispense, non-contact dispense, and camera module dispense all utilize piezo stack actuators. They are also commonly used in medical and optical applications for micropumps, drug dispensers, and eye measurements.
Strip Actuators
Mechanics

Applications
Piezo bending actuators are durable, reliable, and best suited for situations that require high sensitivity or large forces and displacements. They have been used in accelerometers, small pumps, valve controls, and many other applications. Fine machinery, such as needle selection for Weft machines, Jacquard Combo for Weave machines, and Braille readers also utilize strip actuators. They are also used in commercial applications such as switched, inkjet printers, and shutter controllers. It is worth noting that, if not coated, strip actuators can be affected by the environment. The presence of dust, for example, may limit the lifespan of uncoated components.
Disc Actuators
Mechanics

Piezo disc actuators are widely used in air and fluid pumps due to their small, thin, lightweight, and quiet nature. They are highly efficient with low power consumption and fast response time. The flow rate can be controlled and adjusted, again making disc actuators suitable for high precision applications.
Applications
In a fluid pump application, the bending of the piezo disc actuator causes the pressure levels inside and outside the chamber to differ, thus actively moving the fluid through the pump. Disc actuators are also used in liquid cooling systems for electronics, printer bulk ink supply systems, and automatic lubrication systems for precision instruments. Medical equipment, such as insulin dosing or blood pressure monitors, and air and fluid systems, such as air pumps and coffee machines, also utilize piezo disc actuators. These disc actuators are normally used for sound production and use AC power instead of DC power. Coupling their displacement’s power with rapid vibration makes for a clear sound with potent sound pressure. This can be observed in products like fire alarms. Other than the production of sound, however, disc actuators cannot compare to the power of the strip actuator, in terms of force.
Tube Actuators
Mechanics
Piezo tube actuators are monolithic cylinders lined with electrodes that are able to generate radial or axial displacement. The direction of displacement depends on the placement of electrodes and application of voltage. Most piezoelectric tubes are radially polarized, containing one or several separate electrodes on the internal wall and several separate electrodes lining the external wall, depending on the intended application. Piezo tube actuators can generate axial displacement (changes in length) or radial displacement (changes in diameters). Axial elongation or radial expansion are all achievable with piezoelectric tube actuators depending on where and how the electrodes are placed, which direction it is polarized, and how the voltage is applied. Electrodes on the inner and outer surfaces of the piezo tube actuator are responsible for expansion and contraction latitudinally and longitudinally without bending.

In general, there are two different manufacturing processes to make the piezo tubes. Piezoelectric tubes with relatively large inner and outer diameters can be casted and achieve necessary tolerances through machining. Piezo tubes with a small inner diameter and/or a large length to diameter ratio has to be extruded.
Piezo ceramic tube actuators are compatible with vacuum and cryogenic environments. They have quick response times, high acceleration, and high operating frequencies. They are not typically utilized for force generation, but their diversity and reliability in microscopic applications makes piezo tube actuators a great source for accuracy and precision.
Applications
Piezoceramic tube actuators are excellent for high precision nano movement and dosing. In medical applications, piezoelectric tubes are employed in microdosing machines and ultrasound equipment. In some minimally invasive procedures, piezo tube actuators implemented into catheters generate ultrasound waves which increase the permeability of the blood vessel walls, making it easier for medication to penetrate.
One of the most common applications for tube actuators can be seen in scanning probe microcopy that scans surfaces to create topographic images. The thin probe is controlled by a very small piezo tube actuator that can dynamically move the probe in micrometers to expand and contract along the axis (up and down movement) or bend side to side.
Pump applications also utilize piezoceramic tube actuators. In inkjet printers, piezoelectric tubes release the precise amount of ink needed in picoliters to produce the individual dots of ink that make up printed words. Micro- and nano-dispensing are one of the key applications for piezo tube actuators.
Piezo tube actuators are also widely used in the high power acoustic applications as ultra sound transmitters. For example, underwater hydrophone and sonar utilizes piezo tube actuators as the ultrasonic signal generator. Piezoelectric tube actuators have also been used in the ultrasonic flaw detection (non-destructive testing) with the similar fashion to detect the surface and/or material flaws.
Tangential Tube is a piezo tube actuator with specially designed electrode patterns and arrangements, which is used in the equipment to measure the depth of wells and/or altitude of the flying objects.
High power piezo tube actuators have also been used as an ultrasonic power/wave generator for the ultrasonic cleaning equipment.