3D-Printed piezoelectric actuators

Abstract

Usually smart piezoelectric actuators are driven far away from their resonances to avoid control and design efforts. Being in a sharp contrast to that we propose actuator designs, that consider the structural conformity of structurally integrated actuators. This strategy requires perfect impedance-matched actuators, whereas their transfer functions are matched to the structural system of interest. Consequently the actuator characteristics are not linear anymore. The main advantage of structurally conformed actuators is a perfect power transfer to the mechanical structures. But we have to innovate a paradigm shift: such low-energy concepts require a simultaneous design of all components from the very first beginning. Furthermore we found out, that such high-sophisticated actuators have extreme complex topologies, especially in three-dimensional cases. Additive manufacturing seems to be the most-promising fabrication method for impedance-matched actuators even against the background, that we have to develop a print technique for piezoelectric materials. In this presentation we will explain the concept of low-energy actuators that can be highly loaded, yielding in completely new actuator geometries. We will present 3D-printing techniques for piezoelectric materials and we will propose several new actuator types. Experimental results prove the performance of 3D-printed piezoelectric actuators.