AP Series - Amplified Piezoelectric Actuators
AP Series
AP Series Specifications
The PiezoDrive AP Series displacement actuators utilize an advanced flexural mechanism and high performance piezoelectric stack actuators to provide an exceptionally large range of motion, fast response, and sub-nanometer resolution. The advanced dual-hinge flexure mechanism significantly outperforms competing devices due to its significantly higher in-plane and out-of-plane stiffness, greater mechanical efficiency, and higher resonance frequency. The dual-hinge flexure design also results in extremely compact dimensions.
Applications include: Nanopositioning, Biomedical, Microscopy, Precision machining, Vibration control, High-speed valves, and Optics. A range of standard devices are available for immediate delivery, however, custom dimensions and travel ranges can be produced with a four-week lead time.
Standard Parts
AP120 - 120um Range
| Displacement | >120 um |
| Voltage | -15V to +150V |
| Unipolar Disp. | >110 um |
| Resonance | 900 Hz |
| Force | 11 N |
| Stiffness | 0.10N/um |
| Capacitance | 400 nF |
| Mass | 5 g |
AP350B - 350um Range, Small Size - DISCONTINUED
| Displacement | >350 um |
| Voltage | -15V to +150V |
| Unipolar Disp. | >320 um |
| Resonance | 400 Hz |
| Force | 6 N |
| Stiffness | 0.019N/um |
| Capacitance | 900 nF |
| Mass | 7 g |
AP340 - 340um Range
| Displacement | >340 um |
| Voltage | -15V to +150V |
| Unipolar Disp. | >310 um |
| Resonance | 460 Hz |
| Force | 16 N |
| Stiffness | 0.052N/um |
| Capacitance | 780 nF |
| Mass | 8 g |
AP350 - 350um Range - DISCONTINUED
| Displacement | >350 um |
| Voltage | -15V to +150V |
| Unipolar Disp. | >320 um |
| Resonance | 480 Hz |
| Force | 18 N |
| Stiffness | 0.057N/um |
| Capacitance | 900 nF |
| Mass | 9 g |
AP830 - 830um Range - DISCONTINUED
| Displacement | >830 um |
| Voltage | -15V to +150V |
| Unipolar Disp. | >750 um |
| Resonance | 230 Hz |
| Force | 90 N |
| Stiffness | 0.12N/um |
| Capacitance | 8.3 uF |
| Mass | 60 g |
Quality/Testing
Each actuator is individually tested for displacement range, blocking force, and resonance frequency. A test report is provided with each delivery.
Mounting of actuators
The MTDD actuators can be mounted in a fixed-free or free-free configuration using the threaded mounting holes. When a voltage is applied, a proportional expansion is developed in the vertical direction, as illustrated below.
Tension Force
The maximum tension force is 10% of the blocking (compressive) force.
Range
The range is specified for an applied voltage of -15V to +150V. The unipolar range is from 0V to +150V.
When an amplified actuator is driving a spring, the range is reduced by the factor 
where ka is the actuator stiffness and kL is the load stiffness.
Capacitance
The actuator capacitance is the small-signal capacitance measured at room temperature. Due to hysteresis, the effective capacitance increases with applied voltage. When operating at full range, the effective capacitance is approximately twice the small-signal capacitance. The capacitance also increases with temperature. A temperature increase of approximately 50 degrees C will double the effective capacitance.
Electrical Current Requirements
The required current is I=C dV/dt where I is the current, C is the effective capacitance, and dV/dt is the voltage rate of change. For a sine-wave, the required peak current is equal to: 
where Vp-p is the peak-to-peak voltage. For a triangle wave, the required peak current is equal to: 
Recommended Drivers
| Amplifier | Application |
| PDm200B | General purpose, low cost |
| MX200 | High Current, Low noise, low cost |
| PDu150 | Ultra low noise |
| PD200 | High Speed, Low Noise |
| PX200 | High Current, Low Noise |
Vacuum Compatibility
The AP Actuators and wiring insulation meet the outgassing requirements for NASA SP-R-0022A.
Customization
Custom dimensions and travel ranges can be produced with a four-week lead time.
