Positioning Capabilities of Ultrasonic Motors

PILine® positioning systems revolutionize motion control by employing ultrasonic piezomotors, which provide direct drive capabilities. Unlike traditional systems that convert rotary motion into linear, PILine® eliminates backlash and play, resulting in improved response times and high-resolution positioning, with speeds ranging from sub-nanometers to over 100 mm/s.

The operating principle involves a preloaded piezoelectric actuator that generates oscillations, converting them into continuous motion. Position and velocity are precisely monitored using encoders, allowing for sub-nm resolution in closed-loop mode.

The article delves into the nuances of optimizing PILine® systems for specific applications, highlighting stability through a self-clamping principle, which ensures consistent performance, particularly in sensitive environments like super-resolution microscopy.

Fast positioning is achieved through a profile generator that customizes velocity profiles across three stages: acceleration, constant velocity, and deceleration. PID controllers further enhance precision by adjusting parameters based on real-time position feedback.

Overall, PILine® technology supports a wide range of applications, from ultraslow scanning in microscopy to high-speed positioning in industrial automation, showcasing its versatility and precision in motion control.