Ideal actuators in custom designs

- For research and development projects, Noliac piezo actuators are ideal as they come in a wide range of geometries, and the quality control ensures that they correspond to specifications, states Doctor Andrew Fleming from the Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control at the University of Newcastle, Australia. 

- Dealing with the manufacturer directly is a huge advantage, Dr Fleming continues. - It reduces lead time, particularly for custom designed actuators.

Dimensional accuracy for research 

Since 2002, Noliac has worked successfully with Doctor Fleming on several research and development projects at the Centre for Complex Dynamic Systems and Control. The centre supports a wide spectrum of activities ranging from fundamental research in systems and control theory to engineering applications with substantial hardware and software development.

Dr Fleming’s work includes the construction of high-speed nanopositioning devices for Atomic Force Microscopes. In this application Dr. Fleming uses Noliac piezos as they are available in a wide range of geometries and have well specified physical properties that are available directly from the website.

Other factors that make Noliac piezos ideal in Dr Fleming’s research include the short lead-time of custom actuators and the direct access to expert advice directly from the manufacturer. 

Piezoelectric expert  

Dr Fleming is an expert in the theory and application of piezo technology. He is the co-author of two books on the subject and more than 80 journal and conference papers. Dr. Fleming is also the co-inventor on a number of piezo related patent applications.

In 2007 Dr Fleming was awarded the IEEE Control Systems Society Outstanding Paper Award for his article “Sensorless Vibration Suppression and Scan Compensation for Piezoelectric Tube Nanopositioners” which appeared in the IEEE Transactions on Control Systems Technology.

In this paper, Dr Fleming addressed two of the foremost difficulties associated with piezoelectric actuated mechanical systems - vibration and hysteresis. He presented new methods that are elegant, simple and effective; methods that are expected to be applied directly to almost any piezoelectric system to improve linearity and increase speed by a reduction in vibration.

In 2007, Dr Fleming was also awarded the University of Newcastle, Vice Chancellors Award for Researcher of the Year; and the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Award for Research Excellence. 

More information about Dr Fleming’s work can be found on his website (click here).