title: A simple bidirectional linear microactuator for nanopositioning--the "Baltan" microactuator.
abstract: A new linear microactuator, using bulk PZT and electro-discharge-machined components, generates a sliding velocity and force of 100 mm/s and 12 mN, respectively, in either direction, and a peak velocity and force of 212 mm/s and 44 mN, respectively. Using a simple combination of two slightly different beams placed in contact with a slider, and vibrated at two different resonance frequencies, 508 and 522 kHz, by a specially designed, axially vibrating piezoelectric element, bidirectional linear motion was obtained. By simply reducing the length of the applied signal, the sliding distance was reduced to 90 nm +/- 2 nm, which could be improved with a variety of control methods. The design offers not only silent operation, slider clamping upon removal of power, and all of the other advantages of piezoelectric actuators, but also the potential to be further reduced in size to sub-mm3 for microrobotics and other applications.
authors.affiliation: Precision and Intelligence Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Japan 226-8503. jamesfriend@ieee.org
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gouda
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Sadayuki
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ueha
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008846:Micromanipulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008904:Miniaturization; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D055672:Static Electricity; D014159:Transducers; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014732:Vibration