Actuators, linear (CMA and SCMA)

Multilayer piezoelectric actuators (CMA) are ­co-fired multilayer ceramics typically with a height up to 2-3mm and with up to 100 ceramic layers.

Multilayer piezoelectric stack actuators (SCMA) are made of two or several single actuators (CMA) glued together. The purpose of the stacking is to obtain more displacement than can be achieved by a single actuator. 
 

Ceramic multilayer actuators (CMA)

Multilayer piezoelectric actuators can be made very small, e.g. 1mm x 1mm x 0.2mm, and can be designed in a variety of geometries, such as squares, rings and discs. 

The most common actuator geometry is a square with typical performance range up to 5µm stroke and up to 4000N blocking force.

Noliac has also developed ring or disc shape actuators with typical performances range up to 5µm stroke and up to more than 30000N blocking force.
 
Multilayer actuators are used in numerous applications within e.g. IT (hard disc drives), optics, telecommunication, instrumentation, automotive, nano-positioning, etc.
 

Highlights:

CMAP	CMAR
Square shape   Typical sizes are 3mm x 3mm, 5mm x 5mm, 7mm x 7mm and 10mm x 10mm   Blocking force up to 4000N   Full performances achievable with voltages down to 60V   No EMI	Ring shape   Typical sizes are OD6mm, OD8mm, OD12mm, OD15mm and OD20mm     Blocking force up to 8000N   Full performances achievable with voltages down to 200V   Better resistance to humidity than square shape actuators   Easy integration due to the ring or disc shape
Height up to 3mm   Quick response time (μS range)   Free displacement up to 5μm in the polarization direction   Low energy consumption   Choice of soft doped PZT for high stroke and hard doped PZT for low loss/ high frequency applications

Stacked ceramic multilayer actuators (SCMA) 

Noliac's single actuators, plates (CMAP) and rings (CMAR), can be stacked. Thereby, the height can be made according to your needs. Stacked plates are called SCMAP and stacked rings are called SCMAR.

Noliac's stacking technology also offers a unique manufacturing flexibility as any actuator height can be made from a defined number of CMA's.

The most common actuator geometry is a square (SCMAP) with typical performance range up to 200µm stroke and up to 4000N blocking force.

Noliac has also developed ring shape actuators (SCMAR) with typical performances range up to 200µm stroke and up to more than 8000N blocking force.

Highlights:

SCMAP	SCMAR
Square or rectangle shapes   Typical cross sections are 3mm x 3mm, 5mm x 5mm, 7mm x 7mm and 10mm x 10mm   Height can be up to 10x the smallest cross section dimension, i.e. 100mm for a 10mmx10mm cross section