- Lowest tolerances (0.05 mm)
- Large variety of outside diameters (<0.5 mm to 150 mm)
- Metallizations with thin and thick layer technology, wraparound contact possible
- Segmented electrodes for lateral displacements
- Assembly in industrial quality with wire, stranded wire or flexboard contacting
- Protective coatings
- Glass fiber bonding
- Suitable for non-magnetic applications (>1 T), as well as ultrahigh vacuum environments (up to 10-10 hPa)
When a voltage is applied, the diameter, axial length, and wall thickness of the piezoceramic tubes change. Segmented electrodes can be used to generate precise lateral displacements through bending. These precise and ultrafast movements have many applications - ranging from microdosing and inkjet printing to precisely positioning small objects, straining and moving glass fibers, and generating ultrasound.
Customized Versions on Request
For both customized and standard products, PI Ceramic offers extensive service - from the selection of suitable materials to the development of application-based solutions. Within certain limits, the dimensions of the piezo tubes are selectable. Depending on the desired specifications or on the application areas, modifications with regard to contacting as well as the coating, e.g., >> parylene and further chemical coating procedures, or bonding are possible. Non-magnetic variants for field strengths > 1 T are also available.
To generate lateral movement of the tubes, piezo tubes can be equipped with multiple segmented electrodes. Wraparound contacts allow the electrical contacting to be installed in a convenient position within the mechanical assembly.
In addition to screen printing, sputtering, and chemical coating procedures - depending on the application - further electrode designs are possible. Using special adapters, small tubes with quadruple segmented electrodes can be contacted under the microscope easily and without loss of function.
Depending on the contacting and installation of the electrodes, different displacements occur in the xy and axial directions. For example, for tubes with positive polarization direction on the inside and negative on the outside, the deflection directions for a single outer segment are as follows:
All of the formulas shown are valid for idealized geometries (ID, OD >> t). Tubes with a negative polarization direction as well as internal ground (GND) show opposite displacement directions.
Glass Capillary Bonding
Piezo tubes can be used in the field of medical and industrial microdosing. Special contacting and control of the tubes generate targeted pressure pulses. These result in the precise delivery of fluid from a capillary in the picolitre range. In addition to customized manufacturing of the piezo tubes, PI Ceramic has the expertise to bond them with ultrafine glass capillaries from our customers.
- Intravascular lithotripsy
- Intravascular atrial fibrillation catheters
- Intravascular imaging ultrasound
- Microarray spotting
- Ultrasonic needle tip tracking (NTT)
- Scanning fiber microscopy
- Atomic force microscopy
- Precision dosing and inkjet printing
- Underwater communication
- Micromanipulation
- Scanning tunnel microscopy