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Channel: Piezo – Aerotech inMotion Blog

Theory and Application of Piezoelectrics in Positioning

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In 1880, Pierre and Jacques Curie discovered that when mechanical stress was applied to a crystal, faint electric charges developed on the surface of that crystal. As the prefix “piezo” comes from the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press, the term “direct piezoelectric effect” was coined to describe the electrical charge that is produced on certain materials when that material is subjected to an applied mechanical stress or pressure.

The converse or inverse piezoelectric effect, or the application of an electric field to induce strain, was discovered using thermodynamic principles in 1881 by Gabriel Lippmann. It is the inverse piezoelectric effect that enables piezoelectric materials to be used in positioning applications.

Finish reading the complete Piezo Engineering Primer on aerotech.com!


“Leaping Quanta”– A Poem

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In ​Aerotech’s October ​newsletter​ titled​, “A Quantum Leap in Piezo Nanopositioning,” we discussed ​the new ​​QNP-L piezo nanopositioners.​ ​

In response, we received a ​poem from one of our ​readers located in the U​nited ​K​ingdom. We liked the poem so much we’d like to share it with you:

Leaping Quanta

The leap that cuts the broadest dash
A leap of faith, the biggest splash
A mighty leap, with scale impressive
A leap whose length is plain excessive

Just cannot be a quantum leap
Whose size is small, and downright cheap
A singular quantum, (in plural quanta)
Has miniscule energy, you wouldn’t want a

Leaping quantum for your promo
No driving force, no major-domo
Just a teeny tiny little packet
Of energy in dwarfish jacket…

And yet you see it all the time
In English (lit. and lang.), and rhyme
‘ The market’s seen a quantum leap..’
Such error of scale makes poets weep

For a quantum is a fragile beast
The smallest energy, at the least
In realms of physics termed ‘sub-atomic’
And such a cry from astronomic

So journos please get your facts straight
In a court of law the beak would state
‘Leaping quanta have energy exchangeable
as small as any leap arrangeable’

So what’s the moral of this missive?
To limit exag that’s non-permissive
And grab not words that show you for
A boor with more poor metaphor.

-Professor Rob Eason
Associate Dean (Research)
Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering
Optoelectronics Research Centre
University of Southampton

QNP-XY Piezo Nanopositioners for Extreme Precision Applications

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PiezoXYStagesAerotech QNP-XY series piezo nanopositioning stages provide the resolution, linearity, repeatability, and high dynamics required for the most demanding applications from microscopy to optics alignment. With resolution to 0.15 nm, linearity to 0.007%, and repeatability to 2 nm, nanometer-level precision is assured. With the highest dynamics (resonant frequency and stiffness) of any other comparable stage in size and travel, users can achieve higher throughput in exacting processes. A variety of travels (100 μm to 600 μm), feedback options, and vacuum versions add to the exceptional versatility of this stage series.

QNP piezo stages are guided by precision flexures that are optimized using finite element analysis. The resulting design offers outstanding stiffness and resonant frequency (up to 885 Hz) enabling high process throughput and fast closed-loop response. Furthermore, the integrated XY package minimizes stage stack height and moving mass, resulting in superior static and dynamic multi-axis performance. Contact an Aerotech Application Engineer today to find out how our new XY piezo nanopositioners can give you a competitive advantage.

Learn more about the QNP-XY series piezo nanopositioning stages here.

 

Piezo Application Keywords Word Search

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Test your puzzling skills with this piezo-themed word search!

Piezo Application Keyword Word Search

Download the puzzle here!
View the solution here!

5 Ways Aerotech Piezo Nanopositioners Can Improve Your Precision Motion

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Aerotech has designed and developed an extensive line of piezo nanopositioners over the past several years to include X, XY, and Z-axis models, as well as a full suite of perfectly matched controls and drives – and software that is easy to use with many advanced features. Our foray into the world of piezo nanopositioners included an examination of the best and worst features of the products that were then on the market, with the goal to improve upon every aspect. We were able to fully meet our design and performance expectations. In so doing, we believe (and are confident you will too!) that our piezo nanopositioners can offer you at least five competitive advantages in your precision motion application.

1. Real Specifications: We provide real, guaranteed specifications that can be independently verified. Many of our competitors provide “typical” specifications or measurement levels that can be achieved in some applications, but not all. We can provide actual calibration reports for each product and our performance specifications have been independently verified by an outside national laboratory.

2. Flexibility: We offer the flexibility of custom designs (travels, configurations, materials, etc.) as well as open or closed-loop versions of each of our piezo nanopositioners. Why not have the exact design that is a perfect fit for your application? Aerotech has been providing custom precision motion solutions for over 45 years.

3. Intuitive and Powerful Controls and Software: Aerotech piezo controls were designed with your applications in mind. We listened to piezo nanopositioner users when they described the software limitations and problems they faced, and we did something about it. Try our controls – we know you’ll become a believer.

4. One-Stop-Shop: We’ve created a one-stop-shop for your convenience. Why cobble together stages from one vendor, controls and software from another, and drives from another? Convenience and a holistic system lead to the utmost precision and the lowest cost of ownership available.

5. We’ll be There: Aerotech has a long history of outstanding service. We stand behind everything we sell. If you have a problem we can either solve it remotely or at your site to get you back to your work quickly.

Let us know if you’d like to try-out one of our piezo nanopositioning systems. We’d be happy to discuss your needs and describe how Aerotech’s piezo nanopositioners can make your application better. We can even host you at our factory for a tour and a demonstration!

Piezoelectric Devices Market to be Worth $31.33 billion USD by 2022

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Piezoelectric devices market estimated to be worth $31.33 billion USD by 2022. The driving factors for the growth of this market include increasing demand for piezoceramic devices, increased funding from government and investors, emerging energy harvesting techniques, rising demand in automotive sector, and growing popularity of miniaturization technology.  Aerotech named major player in report by Markets and Markets: https://goo.gl/M4CoC7 #motioncontrol

Piezoelectric device market projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.88% by 2022

XYZ Piezo Stages for Exceptional 3D Positioning Accuracy

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Aerotech’s QNP3 series XYZ piezo positioning stages combine sub-nanometer resolution, high dynamics, and excellent geometric performance in a compact three-degree-of-freedom (DoF) package. They come with a 40 mm x 40 mm clear aperture with closed-loop travels up to 100 µm x 100 µm x 10 µm (open-loop travels to 120 µm x 120 µm x 12 µm). The design is ideal for optical and scanning probe microscopy or other inspection or manufacturing applications where two-sided part access is required with three-DoF manipulation.

Read more: https://goo.gl/Ap8dmS


QFOCUS® QF-50

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QFOCUS® QF-50

Aerotech’s QFOCUS® QF-50 piezo nanopositioning stage is designed for high-performance microscope objective and optics positioning. It offers 400 μm closed loop and 450 μm open loop travel, high speed, 0.01% linearity, sub-nanometer resolution, and 4 nm bidirectional repeatability. The QF-50 accommodates optical instruments and next-generation laser micromachining applications. Due to a high-stiffness mechanical design, the QF-50 can outperform competitive piezo scanner offerings with larger, higher numerical aperture (NA) objectives. The QF-50 is ideal for optical positioning applications requiring high precision and throughput coupled with long travels.

Read more: https://goo.gl/NFk7hr

How Piezo Controller Design Influences Thermal Stability

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Thermal management is critical in precision processes. To achieve long-term stability with capacitance sensor feedback piezo stages, it is well-known that a robust mechanical design is necessary. However, most users don’t realize that the piezo controller design can have a large effect on the thermal stability of the instrument or machine since critical feedback signals are created and managed on the system controller. Aerotech has designed our A3200 and Ensemble QLAB, QDe, and QLe controllers with an advanced thermal stability feature that makes the capacitance sensor feedback circuit largely insensitive to environmental changes.

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