6. Conclusion

Piezoelectric actuators are based on the intrinsic electromechanical coupling properties of piezoelectric materials, giving them advantages such as compactness and high actuation bandwidths. However, their use requires an understanding of the inherent limitations and imperfections of the ceramics available, and of the interactions with the actuation mechanism, which often consists of complex amplification and drive techniques, and finally the specifics of their power supply. Control is also important for repeatability and performance control. So, when it comes to developing a product based on ceramics, we need to apply a systemic approach that integrates all these aspects.

In fact, after being presented as the motors to replace electromagnetic actuators for low-power, mass-market applications in the 1980s, the trend among manufacturers has been to focus on high-tech...