What Is a Flextensional Actuator?
A flextensional actuator is a precision motion device that uses a piezoelectric stack together with a flexure-based mechanical amplifier. The piezo stack produces very small, high-force motion when voltage is applied. The surrounding flexure mechanism converts and amplifies this motion into a larger, guided output displacement while maintaining high stiffness, repeatability, and frictionless operation.
Unlike screw-driven or bearing-guided actuators, flextensional piezo actuators have no sliding or rolling mechanical contact in the motion path. This eliminates backlash, stiction, wear, and the need for lubrication. The result is fast response, nanometer-scale resolution, excellent settling behavior, and long service life in demanding precision systems.
Why Flextensional Actuators Are Used
Flextensional actuators are used when an application requires more travel than a direct piezo stack can provide, but still needs piezo-level precision and dynamics. The flexure design guides the motion without friction, so the actuator can deliver precise, repeatable displacement with no mechanical play and minimal maintenance.
Because the motion is flexure guided, these actuators are especially useful where clean, repeatable, maintenance-free motion is required. They can be designed for compact spaces, high stiffness, high force, vacuum compatibility, and non-magnetic operation, making them suitable for industrial, scientific, aerospace, and metrology applications.
Where Flextensional Actuators Are Used
Lens positioning, mirror adjustment, beam steering, optical alignment, and fiber alignment.
Objective focusing, image stabilization, high-speed scanning, and precision sample positioning.
Inspection, nanopositioning, wafer-related positioning, precision dispensing, and test systems.
Adaptive systems, vibration control, micro-manipulation, and compact precision mechanisms.