Linear Actuators: Non-Magnetic, Ceramic

PiezoWalk ceramic linear motor actuators combine long travel with piezo-class resolution, high holding force, and self-locking operation. Their non-magnetic and vacuum-compatible working principle makes them useful for nanopositioning, alignment, microscopy, MRI-compatible motion, and scientific instrumentation.

How PiezoWalk Linear Actuator Motors Work

PiezoWalk linear motor actuators are non-resonant piezo motors that combine very nanometric resolution with high forces. PI offers smaller, faster motors based on a monolithic piezo actuator element, and larger motors made from several individual piezo actuators.

Both types generate motion through coordinated clamp/unclamp and expand/contract cycles. Each cycle can provide steps from a few nanometers to a few microns. With repetition rates up to hundreds of steps per second, continuous motion up to 10 mm/sec can be achieved. These acutators also provide advantages in nanoautomation applications.

PiezoWalk motors also provide a dynamic analog mode with a few microns of travel and picometer resolution. At rest, they hold position with extreme stability and no heat generation.

Product Examples: High-Force Ceramic Linear Actuators

High-Force PiezoWalk OEM Ceramic Linear Motor Actuator

Holding force to 800 N / 176 lbs
Patented PiezoWalk motor design
For high-end nanopositioning and alignment with extreme precision and lifetime requirements
20 mm positioning range
To 30 picometer resolution
Self-locking at rest with high holding force
Non-magnetic and vacuum-compatible working principle
Cleanroom compatible

The N-216 linear actuator provides higher force than the N-111 version. It is designed for high-end nanopositioning and alignment applications with very high forces, extreme precision, and demanding lifetime requirements. The patented principle is based on coordinated motion of highly preloaded linear and shear piezo elements acting on a ceramic runner.

PDF Brochure | High Force Piezo Motor Linear Actuator: Specs and Data

High-force PiezoWalk OEM ceramic linear motor actuator

Medium-Force Ceramic Linear Motor Actuator

Up to 50 N force generation and 70 N holding force
For high-end nanopositioning, nanoautomation, and alignment with extreme precision and lifetime requirements
Resolution to 25 picometers
10 mm standard positioning range
Self-locking at rest, no heat generation
Non-magnetic and vacuum-compatible working principle
Patented PiezoWalk motor design
Cleanroom compatible

These medium-force ceramic actuators are designed for high-end nanopositioning and alignment applications. The PiezoWalk operating principle combines piezo-class precision with travel ranges common to conventional linear motors.

PDF Brochure | Piezo Motor Linear Actuator: Specs and Data

Miniature Ceramic Actuators with Compact PiezoWalk Motor

Choice of positioning ranges from 10 mm to 125 mm
Very compact design: 25 x 25 x 12 mm
Smaller OEM versions feasible
Resolution to 30 picometers in analog mode
Self-locking with high holding force and excellent position stability
10 N / 2.2 lbs push-pull force
Non-magnetic and vacuum-compatible versions

This miniaturized creamic linear motor drive is based on the patented NEXACT PiezoWalk motor. Open-loop and closed-loop operation are possible, and a variety of NEXACT controllers support integration into micro- and nanopositioning applications.

PDF Brochure | Miniature Linear Actuator with Piezo Linear Motor: Specs and Order Info

N-900 nonmagnetic PiezoWalk motor linear actuator

Concept: Nonmagnetic PiezoWalk-Motor Linear Actuator

PiezoWalk motor-driven linear actuator
Works in high magnetic fields such as MRI environments
70 mm motorized positioning range
Self-aligning and self-locking design
Made from non-magnetic materials
5 N force / 1 lb

This nonmagnetic actuator concept was designed for applications where conventional magnetic motors cannot be used. It provides long motorized travel, stable self-locking behavior, and operation in strong magnetic fields.

N-900 XYZ nonmagnetic linear positioning stage

Concept: Miniature XYZ Positioning Stage, Nonmagnetic, Vacuum Compatible

Constructed exclusively of non-magnetic and non-magnetizable parts
Sub-µm resolution
X, XY, XYZ designs feasible
10 mm travel
Self-locking piezo motor, no heat generation at rest
Non-magnetic and vacuum compatible
Can operate in strong magnetic fields

This conceptual sub-miniature non-magnetic XYZ positioning stage is driven by miniature ceramic actuators. It was designed for sample alignment in applications where magnetic actuators are not tolerable. More exaples of XYZ stages.

N-381 linear actuator, manipulator, piezo stepper

Concept: Compact Ceramic Motor-Driven Actuator and Manipulator

Long-life ceramic motor drive for micro- and nano-manipulation
30 mm positioning range
Self-locking design with no heat generation at rest
20 nm optical linear encoder option for highest precision
Very high acceleration for biotech applications such as cell penetration
Continuous stepping mode and high-dynamics analog mode for picometer resolution
Up to 10 N force generation
Smooth motion, no closed-loop jitter
Vacuum-compatible and non-magnetic versions

This conceptual ceramic-motor linear actuator is an ideal drive system for micro- and nano-manipulators, biotechnology, and nanotechnology applications. The PiezoWalk drive principle provides a step mode and a dynamic analog mode.

PDF Brochure | Piezo Linear Motor Actuator Specs and Order Info

Non-Magnetic 6-Axis Positioners

Non-magnetic 6-axis positioning concept
Parallel-kinematic motion for high-stiffness, low-inertia multi-axis alignment
Useful where magnetic actuators are not acceptable
Suitable for specialized alignment and positioning tasks

Non-magnetic hexapod 6-axis positioners extend the same design logic into multi-axis positioning. They are used when compact 6-DOF alignment is required in environments where magnetic materials or conventional electromagnetic motors are undesirable.

More Information on Non-Magnetic 6-Axis Positioners | Contact PI USA

PiezoWalk Linear Motor Brochure

Download the brochure for more information on high-force PiezoWalk ceramic linear actuators and motors.

Download PDF Brochure