Piezoelectric actuators are usually specified in terms of their free deflection and blocked force. Resonant Frequency (Fr) = 3 X cantilever frequencyĬharacteristics: center moves up and down in a parallel plane. To convert cantilever performance to simple beam performance:įree Deflection (Xf) = 1 / 4 X cantilever motionīlocked Force (Fb) = 4 X cantilever force

Resonant Frequency (Fr) = same as cantilever frequencyĬapacitance (C) = same as cantilever capacitanceĬharacteristics: end moves up and down in a parallel plane Figure 6: 2-Layer Bending Motor Mounted as a Simple Beam To convert standard cantilever performance to 'S' bender performance:įree Deflection (Xf) = 1 / 2 x cantilever motionīlocked Force (Fb) = 1 / 2 x cantilever force Figure 5: 2-Layer 'S' Bending Motor Mounted as a Cantilever Figure 4: 2-Layer Bending Motor Mounted as a Cantileverįor standard cantilevered benders of the same thickness:Ĭharacteristics: End takes on an angle.

The variety of mounting and motion options make benders a popular choice of design engineers. Figures-4, 5 and 6 show several common bending configurations. Bender motion on the order of hundreds to thousands of microns, and bender force from tens to hundreds of grams, is typical. These transducers are often referred to as benders, bimorphs, or flexural elements. A 2-layer element produces curvature when one layer expands while the other layer contracts.