Papers by Keyword: Piezoelectric Actuator

Abstract: This study presents a finite element investigation of the vibration characteristics of a laminated carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite plate with a centrally surface-bonded piezoelectric (PZT-5H) patch under classical boundary conditions. A square CFRP plate of dimensions 300 × 300 × 3 mm with a [0/90/0/90] layup is analyzed with and without an active piezoelectric patch, considering clamped–clamped–clamped–clamped (CCCC), clamped–free–clamped–free (CFCF), clamped–free–free–free (CFFF), and simply supported–simply supported–simply supported–simply supported (SSSS) boundary conditions. Linear piezoelectric theory and steady-state harmonic excitation are employed using Abaqus/CAE 2025 Learning Edition. Modal characteristics are obtained from the first six natural frequencies, while harmonic response is evaluated in terms of peak out-of-plane displacement at the plate center under combined mechanical loading and open-loop electrical actuation. The results demonstrate that the presence of the PZT patch induces boundary-condition-dependent modifications in both natural frequencies and harmonic response amplitudes. For highly constrained configurations (CCCC and SSSS), the active PZT patch leads to a reduction in peak harmonic displacement, whereas for less constrained cases (CFCF and CFFF), a slight amplification of the response is observed. These findings highlight the strong coupling between structural boundary conditions and piezoelectric actuation effectiveness, and they establish a validated baseline for future investigations involving closed-loop control, multi-patch configurations, and data-driven optimization strategies.

Abstract: A new ultra-precision positioning system is introduced in this paper. Experiment results show that using oblique impact drive, stage can be positioned in one axis as well as rotated around one axis by one actuator, that is, 'One-actuator-two-motion'. This means that simpler positioning system is possible, resulting in compact system, less components, more reliability, less costly system, which lead to SDGs.

Abstract: A lot of interest to simulate piezocomposite actuators with finite element method has been increased recently. However, there are still open questions regarding the modeling methodology, accuracy, and computational time cost. In this work, a new technique for modeling macro fiber composite piezoelectric actuator by finite element analysis is proposed. The presented technique models the piezocomposite actuator as a simple monolithic piezoceramic material with just two electrodes along its longitudinal extremes instead of using the actual large number of electrodes which results in very fine finite element mesh with high computational time cost. The proposed technique is validated successfully by comparing its results with those of the actual detailed model as well as with the published experimental results and manufacturer’s data.

Abstract: Vibration assisted machining (VAM) is a method that is widely used in improving the performance of machined products. External vibrations with high frequency to ultrasonic range along with an meso-micrometer amplitude are given to the cutting tool or workpiece. This will result in a periodic separation phenomenon, hence reducing the cutting force which has positive impacts on increasing tool life and machined surface quality. Among the high-precision machining processes, micro-milling which has the ability to produce complex components with 2D and 3D features, can also be applied with the vibration assisted method, known as vibration assisted micro-milling (VAMM). Based on the direction of vibration given in the machining process, there are 1D VAMM with linear vibrations and 2D VAMM with circular or elliptical trajectory vibrations. However to date, neither developed 1D nor 2D VAMM systems are still limited to the research of planar surfaces cutting using linear movement axes, meanwhile vibration assisted in inclination cutting of micro-milling using the rotational movement axes is still very rare. Therefore the purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary model in designing a 2D VAMM system for a 5-axis micro-milling machine. The system is powered using piezoelectric actuators as the vibration-producing actuators.

Abstract: This paper investigates the Lamb wave generation by the surface bonded circular piezoelectric (PZT) actuator and wave propagation within the orthotropic Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) plate considering the anisotropy of the elastic and damping properties of the materials; existence of the adhesive layer; and dependence of the interfacial stress distribution on the surface between host plate and actuator, on the anisotropy of the plate material, and on the excited frequency, wavelength and plate thickness. This part of our investigation includes FE based study of the shear stress distribution on the interface between circular PZT actuator and surface of orthotropic CFRP plate, and its dependence on the excited wavelength and plate thickness. The anisotropic elastic and damping properties of the plate material, which are used in the implemented finite element (FE) model, have been preliminary determined in the first part of our investigation. We compare the behavior of the wave generation, propagation and attenuation that are studied using this model with the similar dependencies obtained at the simulation of the non-dissipating plate excited by the periodical radially oriented force, which is distributed along the circumference bounding the actuator, i.e. 3D pin-force excitation case. The proposed results can be used at the design of SHM for the composite structures with the structural anisotropy and damping, and at making a reasonable choice of the frequency, type, dimensions and optimum placement of the actuators and sensors.

Abstract: In recent years, Fast Tool Servo (FTS) mechanism in precision manufacturing equipment emerges as a promising application for the piezo-actuated flexible nanopositioner. A flexible nanopositioner with large stroke, high bandwidth, high precision and multi-Degrees-of-Freedom (multi-DOFs) is really desired for this application. In order to meet this requirement, a novel 2-DOF flexible nanopositioner consists of two pairs of differential lever displacement amplifiers (DLDA) is proposed in this paper first, also, kinetostatics modeling is conducted by using the Pseudo-Rigid Body (PRB) method. After a series of mechanism optimal designs, the performance of the designed nanopositioner is verified by using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method. A piezoelectric (PZT) actuator with 90 µm is selected in this simulation, the experimental results indicate that the mechanism workspace can achieve around 2.1×2.1 mm², the bandwidth can reach up to around 136 Hz, while the cross-coupling is also kept with 1%. All the results consistently prove the proposed device possesses satisfactory performance for fulfilling the practical precision manufacturing tasks.

Abstract: Research activities on active repairs and stress control of structures using piezoelectric actuators and adhesive bond have received much attention in recent years. The function of the adhesive bond on active repair is to transmit the induced stresses by the piezoelectric actuator to the host structure in order to reduce the stress intensity on the crack front. Assessment of repair performance of adhesive bonds is done based on the transfer of the shear and peel stress concentration in the adhesive layer. In the present work, three dimensional finite element analyses have been carried to understand the effects of adhesive properties on active repair performance of a cracked aluminium plate under mode I. Adhesive efficiency is evaluated by the stress intensity factor (SIF) as a fracture criterion. The results show that SIF varies inversely with the adhesive layer’s shear modulus.

Abstract: A reaction wheel is generally capable of providing single axial torque. Three separated devices were indispensable for controlling three-axis attitude of a satellite. The proposed system, which is called spherical reaction wheel, enables three-dimensional rotation of a spherical rotor and provides three-dimensional torque so that mounting only one proposed device can be sufficient to control three-axis attitude of a satellite. Furthermore, the system reduces size and weight of an attitude control system in comparison with the conventional system. To confirm the validity of the proposed device as an attitude control system, we conduct experiments concerning attitude control of a small satellite model with PID controller.

Abstract: A closed-loop control algorithm is used for stabilization of a vibrating nonlinearstrain gradient micro Euler-Bernoulli cantilever beam usinglinear piezoelectric actuation.In this paper, the governing partial differential equation (PDE) of the nonlinear strain gradient beam with piezoelectric actuator is obtained. Galerkin projection method is utilized to reduce the system’s PDE equation of motion into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE) model. The nonlinear system is controlled by a robust linear controller which ensures the stability of the nonlinear system. Numerical simulations are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness and performance of the designed control scheme.

Abstract: Fiber reinforced composite materials are known to have poor tolerance to impact loads. Damages can be observed in the forms of matrix crack, fiber failure and delamination. In the case of low velocity impact, delamination is often a major concern due to its hidden nature. In this work, the effects of piezoelectric actuation on delamination in composite plates subjected to low velocity impact have been studied using LS-DYNA. It was found that, piezoelectric actuators can be used to reduce delamination in composite laminates. This was achieved by actuating the laminate to curve in the opposite direction of the incoming impact load.