Two new piezo actuators expand portfolio

TDK Corporation offers two new piezo actuators made of RoHS-compatible lead zirconate titanate (PZT) with an internal copper electrode. COM30S5 (B58004M4030A020) and COM45S5 (B58004M4040A020) are unhoused, passivated components. An extraordinary dynamic range, a high force-to-volume ratio, and precision in the nanometer range characterise them. The company accomplishes this through its patented copper-based High Active Stack (HAS) technology. Compared to other technologies, HAS piezo actuators provide outstanding performance, robustness to moisture, and a longer lifetime.

The voltage range goes from -10V to +180V, their nominal stroke is reached at +160V, and their allowed surface temperature ranges from -40C to +160C. With 30mm and 45mm heights and a cross-section of 5.2mm x 5.2mm, these actuators reach strokes of 55µm and 83µm, respectively, at 160V and 730N of preload.

There are plans to release three more actuators in 2023 to cover a broader application range. Today, these are available only as prototypes in limited quantities and are not intended for series production: COM10S5 (Z63000Z2910Z001Z78) with 10mm height and 16µm of stroke, COM27S3 (Z63000Z2910Z001Z77, leaded) with 27mm height and 47µm of stroke, and the COM30S7 (Z63000Z2910Z001Z70) with 30mm of height and 7mm x 7mm of cross-section delivering 55µm of stroke and 2600N of blocking force.

Main applications include nano-positioning systems, high-precision valve control for liquids and gasses, and bonding wire machines.