PI Releases Catalog

PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P., a manufacturer of piezo ceramic actuators and precision motion-control equipment for semiconductor, biomedical and nanotechnology applications, has released a new catalog on piezo mechanisms.

The 400-page catalog presents PI’s complete spectrum of piezomechanic components and motion systems, from simple, direct actuators to long-travel ceramic linear motors and complex multiaxis flexure-guided nanopositioning stages. A separate section lists the latest digital control electronics.

The catalog also includes a tutorial on piezo design for positioning applications.

The various types of piezo mechanisms available are outlined below. Each type is designed for a unique application category.

Direct Piezo Actuators: Z-Stacks, Shear (X, X-Y)

Highest force (to 10,000 lbf)
Fastest response: microseconds to milliseconds
Short travel ranges: 2-100 µm

Piezo Flexure Lever Actuators

Longer travel to 2 mm
Flexure guiding system for straight motion
Response <1 ms

Ultrasonic Linear Motors

For high-speed automation and microscopy
Long travel (tens to hundreds of millimeters)
Fast: to 500 mm/s
Low profile, self-locking

PiezoWalk Linear Motors

High force (4 to 170 lb)
Compact, self-locking
Long travel (tens of millimeters)

Piezo Flexure Positioning Stages

Multiaxis motion, highest precision class (subnanometer)
Applications in semiconductor technology, nanotechnology, AFM, superresolution microscopy, etc.

The catalog can be downloaded at: http://www.piezo.ws/pdf/Piezo_Mechanism_Cat10.pdf

For more information, visit: www.pi-usa.us