- Products ProductsPI Ceramic offers a large number of standard products and solutions based on piezo technology. This includes piezoceramic components and elements as well as piezoelectric actuators.
- Piezoceramic Components Piezoceramic ComponentsPiezoelectric Elements in Different Shapes
- Discs, Rods and Cylinders Piezoceramic Discs, Rods and Cylinders
- Plates and Blocks Piezoceramic Plates and Blocks
- Rings Piezoceramic Rings
- Tubes Piezoceramic Tubes
- Spheres and Hemispheres Piezoceramic Spheres and Hemispheres
- Bending Elements Piezoceramic Bending Elements
- Discs, Rods and Cylinders
- Piezoceramic Actuators Piezoceramic ActuatorsPI Ceramic offers a large number of piezoelectric actuators for applications in industry and research.
- PICMA® Piezo Linear Actuators PICMA® Piezo Linear ActuatorsPICMA® multilayer actuators for an up to 10 times higher lifetime and operating time than conventional multilayer piezo actuators.
- PICMA® Piezo Bender Actuators PICMA® Piezo Bender ActuatorsMultilayer bending actuators: large displacement and high dynamics. Their bimorph structure ensures bidirectional displacement.
- PICA Piezoelectric Stack Actuators PICA Piezoelectric Stack ActuatorsStacked piezo linear actuators with operating voltages to 1000 V: High reliability, large specific displacement and high forces.
- PICA Shear Actuators PICA Shear ActuatorsMulti-axis and shear actuators in stacked design offer excellent dynamics combined with minimum electrical power requirements.
- DuraAct Piezoelectric Transducers DuraAct Piezoelectric TransducersDuraAct patch transducers convert electrical voltage into mechanical energy and vice versa; as actuator, sensor or as energy generator.
- Picoactuator® Piezoelectric Crystal Picoactuator® Piezoelectric CrystalThe motion of the Picoactuator® piezo crystals is highly linear and almost hysteresis-free and consequently suited for high-dynamics applications.
- Tube Actuators Piezo Tube ActuatorsRadially and axially contracting piezo tubes are often used for creating dynamic scanning motions and as fiber stretchers.
- PICMA® Piezo Linear Actuators
- Piezo Controllers & Drivers Piezo Controllers & DriversControl electronics plays a key role in the performance of piezoelectric actuators. In addition to universal control electronics, highly suitable for most fields of application, PI offers a wide range of piezo amplifiers geared towards particular purposes.
- for PICMA® Stack/Chip Multilayer Actuators Drivers and Controllers for PICMA® Stack/Chip Multilayer ActuatorsAmplifiers with high output current allow dynamic operation of the actuators and precise positioning while requiring low power.
- for PICMA® Bender Multilayer Actuators Drivers and Controllers for PICMA® Bender Multilayer ActuatorsPiezo amplifiers for PICMA® Bender Actuators offer fixed and variable output voltages of up to 60 V for differential control.
- for PICA Stack/Power/Thru Actuators Drivers and Controllers for PICA Stack/Power/Thru ActuatorsPiezo amplifiers for PICA Actuators offer a voltage range of up to 1100 V, which is available as unipolar or bipolar voltage. Amplifiers with high output current allow dynamic operation of the actuators and precise positioning while requiring low power.
- for PICA Shear Actuators Drivers and Controllers for PICA Shear ActuatorsPiezo amplifiers for PICA Shear Actuators offer a bipolar output voltage of ±250 V.
- for DuraAct Actuators Drivers and Controllers for DuraAct ActuatorsDuraAct Actuators require different operating voltage ranges, depending on the integrated ceramic.
- for Picoactuator® Actuators Drivers and Controllers for Picoactuator® ActuatorsPicoactuator® Actuators are operated with a bipolar voltage of ±500 V. The output voltage range of the PICA amplifiers can be set accordingly to suit this purpose. For smaller displacements, it is possible to use amplifiers for PICA Shear Actuators of ±250 V.
- for Energy Harvesting Electronics for Energy HarvestingE-821 uses pulsed or continuous excitation for Energy Generation by means of piezo actuators.
- for PICMA® Stack/Chip Multilayer Actuators
- Piezoceramic Materials Piezoceramic MaterialsPI Ceramic offers a variety of different piezoelectric materials including lead-free materials.
- Piezoceramic Components
- OEM OEM Solutions for Piezo Ceramics from PI CeramicPI Ceramic offers customized OEM solutions for piezo ceramics at the highest technological level and economically optimized.
- Applications
Applications and Markets for Piezo TechnologyPiezo technology is used in different applications in medical technology, mechanical and automotive engineering or in semiconductor technology.- Metrology MetrologyUltrasonic sensors emit high-frequency sound pulses and receive signals reflected from objects. The time the echo signals take to arrive is processed electronically and can be used for a wide range of applications in metrology.
- Noncontact Measurement with Air Ultrasound Noncontact Measurement with Air UltrasoundUltrasonic sensors for air ultrasound use in most cases the radial oscillation of piezo disks or plates to measure distance or position.
- Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers for the Detection of Gas Bubbles Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers for the Detection of Gas BubblesThe piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer offers reliable air and gas bubble detection in medical, pharmaceutical and food technology fields.
- Level Measurement Level MeasurementThe most widely used principle of ultrasonic level measurement is based on the propagation time measurement of air ultrasound pulse.
- Piezo Force Sensors Piezo Force SensorsPiezo discs the centerpiece of force/acceleration sensors.
- Flow Metering Ultrasonic Flow Metering with Piezo Ultrasonic TransducersThe propagation time metering the so-called Doppler principle are the two fundamental measurement processes in noncontact ultrasonic flow rate measurement.
- Ultrasonic Proximity Sensors as Park Distance Control Ultrasonic Proximity Sensors as Park Distance ControlActive park distance controls in cars often use ultrasonic proximity sensors to measure the distance to the surroundings and to other objects.
- Noncontact Measurement with Air Ultrasound
- Ultrasonic Technology Ultrasonic TechnologyPiezoceramics can be used to generate ultrasonic waves in the frequency range of power ultrasound (20 to 800 kHz). They can be used in different diagnostic and therapeutic applications, for example in tartar removal or lithotripsy, but also in ultrasonic technology.
- Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaning Industrial Ultrasonic CleaningUltrasonic cleaning can be used to remove dirt particles in the nanometer range, without damaging sensitive surfaces by a too high pressure.
- Ultrasonic Piezomotors Ultrasonic PiezomotorsAn integral part of the PILine® ultrasonic piezomotors is a piezoceramic actuator that is pretensioned against a movably guided runner via a coupling element.
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy Shock Wave LithotripsyIn extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), the inverse piezoelectric effect is used to destroy brittle materials such as kidney stones.
- Sonar Technology and Hydroacoustics Sonar Technology and HydroacousticsPiezoceramic components are used in sonar technology and hydroacoustic systems, for measuring and position-finding tasks.
- Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaning
- Scientific Instrumentation Scientific InstrumentationPiezo components have become firmly established in modern science as drives and ultrasonic transducers. They work reliably even under extreme conditions such as magnetic fields, cryogenic temperatures or ultrahigh vacuum.
- Mineralogical Analyses in NASA's Mars Rover Mineralogical Analyses in NASA's Mars RoverNASA relies on PICMA® Multilayer Actuators from PI Ceramic.
- Cryogenic Applications in the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) Cryogenic Applications in the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY)Dynamic Compensation of Lorentz Forces at the Accelerator Elements in Cryogenic Environments.
- Scanning Probe Microscopy Scanning Probe MicroscopyScanning probe microscopy benefits from piezo technology: Piezo tube actuators position highly dynamically over a lateral range of up to ±35 µm.
- Mineralogical Analyses in NASA's Mars Rover
- Pumping and Dosing Pumping and DosingPiezo elements pump and meter small liquid or gas volumes reliably and precisely in the range of a few hundred milliliters to a few nanoliters. The piezo elements can be adapted to each application environment.
- Metering with Piezo Valves Metering with Piezo ValvesPiezo valves are highly suitable for dosing tasks: They can switch directly, and can also work against a closing spring.
- Aerosol Production Aerosol ProductionUltrasonic piezo transducers ensure efficient production of particularly homogeneous aerosols with ultrasonic vibrations above 100 kHz.
- Piezo Micropumps Piezo MicropumpsPiezoelectric micropumps are used in laboratory technology, medical technology, biotechnology, chemical analytics and process engineering.
- Drug Metering Pumps (Implantable Medical Devices) Drug Metering Pumps (Implantable Medical Devices)PICMA® multilayer piezo actuators, in particular PICMA® Bender actuators, are highly suitable for implantable medical products.
- Metering with Piezo Valves
- Medical Technology Medical TechnologyMedical technology and related life-science disciplines require drive components that have to be fast, reliable and energy-saving. In these fields as well, progress goes hand in hand with increasing miniaturization. Piezoceramic drives combine exactly these characteristics.
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy Shock Wave LithotripsyExtracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Medical Applications.
- Detection of Gas Bubbles Detection of Gas BubblesQuality assurance with piezo components.
- Aerosol Production Production of Homogeneous Aerosols with Ultrasonic Piezo TransducersUltrasonic piezo transducers ensure efficient production of particularly homogeneous aerosols with ultrasonic vibrations above 100 kHz.
- Piezoelectric Micropumps Piezoelectric MicropumpsPiezoelectric micropumps are used in laboratory technology, medical technology, biotechnology, chemical analytics and process engineering.
- Implantable Medical Devices Piezo Drives in Implantable Medical DevicesPICMA® multilayer piezo actuators, in particular PICMA® Bender actuators, are highly suitable for implantable medical products.
- Metering with Piezo Valves Metering with Piezo ValvesPiezo valves are highly suitable for dosing tasks: They can switch directly, and can also work against a closing spring.
- Shock Wave Lithotripsy
- Adaptive Systems Technology Adaptive Systems TechnologyThe development of adaptive systems is increasing in significance for modern industry. Intelligent materials, so-called “smart materials”, which possess both sensor and actuator characteristics, are becoming more and more important.
- Piezo Technology in Adaptive Systems Piezo Technology in Adaptive SystemsThe development of adaptive systems is increasing in significance for modern industry. Intelligent materials, so-called “smart materials”, which possess both sensor and actuator characteristics, are becoming more and more important.
- Piezo Technology in Adaptive Systems
- Energy Harvesting Energy HarvestingMechanically deforming a piezo crystal with tension or pressure generates electrical charges that can be measured as voltage on the electrodes of the piezo element.
- Energy Harvesting Energy HarvestingMechanically deforming a piezo crystal with tension or pressure generates electrical charges that can be measured as voltage on the electrodes of the piezo element.
- Energy Harvesting
- Technology
PI Ceramic Piezo TechnologyPI Ceramic offers extensive know-how and a wealth of experience in the manufacturing of assembled piezo-ceramic components and sub-systems.- Fundamentals of Piezo Technology Fundamentals of Piezo TechnologyPhysical basics and explanations of piezo electricity and electromechanics.
- Properties of Piezo Actuators Properties of Piezo ActuatorsCharacteristics of piezoceramic actuators: Displacement modes, forces and stiffnesses, dynamics. Ambient conditions.
- Displacement Behavior Displacement BehaviorOn this site you will find information about the displacement behaviour of piezo ceramics.
- Displacement Modes of Piezoelectric Actuators Displacement Modes of Piezoelectric ActuatorsOn this site you will learn more about the different displacement modes of piezo ceramics.
- Temperature Dependence Temperature DependenceThe displacement and dimension of a piezo ceramic is temperature dependant. Learn more about this topic on this site.
- Forces and Stiffness Forces and StiffnessForce and stiffness are important properties of piezo actuators. Find out more on this topic here.
- Dynamic Operation Dynamic OperationLearn more on the topics of resonant frequency, dynamic forces and response behaviour.
- Electrical Operation of Piezo Actuators Electrical Operation of Piezo ActuatorsLearn more on the topics of operating voltage, electrical behaviour and operating modes.
- Ambient Conditions Ambient ConditionsPiezo actuators are suitable for operation in very different, sometimes extreme ambient conditions. Learn more about this topic on this site.
- Displacement Behavior
- Manufacturing Technology Manufacturing TechnologyPI Ceramic offers a wide range of manufacturing technologies: Pressing or tape technology, assembling technology and testing procedures.
- PICMA® Technology PICMA® TechnologyHighly reliable and extended lifetime through the patented manufacturing process for multilayer actuators.
- DuraAct Patch Transducer Technology DuraAct Patch Transducer TechnologyManufacture, functional principle and typical working parameters of DuraAct patch transducers explain the possible force generation and deflection.
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Company PI Ceramic GmbHPI Ceramic, a subsidiary of Physik Instrumente (PI) GmbH & Co. KG, is located in the city of Lederhose, Thuringia, Germany.- How to Get to PI Ceramic! How to Get to PI Ceramic!Here you will find adress data and directions to PI Ceramic.
- About PI Group About PI GroupNo other company in the world offers a broader and deeper portfolio of precision motion technologies than the PI Group. Continuous growth through the development of novel products and technologies is one of the main characteristics of the PI Group.
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