Increased Lifetime and Higher Performance
PICMA® (PI Ceramic Monolithic Actuator) piezoelectric actuators are characterized by their high performance and reliability, even in extremely harsh environments. They are superior to conventional multilayer actuators in industrial applications and high-endurance situations, where they show substantially longer lifetimes both in static and dynamic operation.

Download paper on piezo reliability tests

New Production Process, Optimized PZT Ceramics
PICMA® piezoelectric actuators are made from a ceramic material in which the piezoceramic properties such as stiffness, capacitance, displacement, temperature stability, leakage current and lifetime are optimally combined. The actuators' design and special electrode structure was made possible by the latest advances in piezoelectric multilayer technology. This development is just one reflection of the more than 30 years experience of PI Ceramic with thousands of industrial PZT applications.

Increased Lifetime through Humidity Resistance
The monolithic, ceramic-insulated design makes polymer-film insulation unnecessary. Diffusion of water molecules into the insulation layer, the major cause of dielectric breakdown, is greatly reduced by the use of cofired, outer ceramic insulation.

High-Level Dynamic Performance-Very Wide Temperature Range
The high Curie temperature of 320 °C gives PICMA® actuators a usable temperature range extending up to 150 °C. This means that they can be operated in hotter environments, or they can be driven harder in dynamic operation (with conventional multilayer actuators, heat generation -which is proportional to operating frequency - either limits the operating frequency or duty cycle in dynamic operation, or makes ungainly cooling provisions necessary).

At the low end, operation down to a few kelvin is possible (with some reduction in performance specifications).

Optimum UHV Compatibility-Minimal Outgassing
The lack of polymer insulation and the high Curie temperature make for optimal ultra-high-vacuum compatibility (no measurable outgassing / high bakeout temperatures, up to 150 °C)

Ideal for Closed-Loop Operation
The ceramic surface of the actuators is extremely well suited for use with resistive or optical fiber strain gauge sensors. Such sensors can be easily applied to the actuator surface and exhibit significantly higher stability and linearity than with conventional polymer-insulated actuators.

Amplifiers, Drivers & Controllers
PI offers a wide range of control electronics for piezo actuators (click here to PI Website) from low-power drivers to multichannel, closed-loop, digital controllers. Of course, PI also designs custom amplifiers and controllers.

The displacement of PICMA® actuators exhibits
very low temperature dependence. This, in
combination with their low heat generation, makes
PICMA® actuators optimal for dynamic operation.
(Operating frequency f = 200 Hz)

PICMA® piezo-electric actuators (bottom curve) compared
with conventional multilayer actuators with polymer
insulation (top curve). PICMA® Actuators are not
affected by the high-humidity test conditions.
Conventional piezo actuators exhibit increased
leakage current after only a few hours. Leakage
current is an indication of insulation quality and
expected lifetime. Test conditions: U = 100 VDC;
T = 25 °C; Relative Humidity = 70%.
Download paper on piezo reliability tests

PICMA^® piezo actuators are currently
available with cross-sections of 2x3,
3x3, 5x5, 7x7 and 10x10 mm².

PICMA^® actuator with optional rounded
top piece for decoupling lateral forces
and optional wire leads.

PICMA^® actuators are also available
integrated in flexure lever designs, to increase travel range, isolate the ceramics from unwanted forces, etc. Talk to us about your cost-effective standard or custom solution.

Hermetically sealed PICMA^® actuator. These are recommended for the toughest environments.

Custom PICMA^® actuators with central aperture.

PICMA^® actuators with special electrodes for ultra high power applications.

PICMA^® dimensions, in mm

PI USA PI Änderungen vorbehalten.