Piezoelectric actuator for machining on macro-to-micro cylindrical components by a precision rotary motion control

A powerful piezoelectric actuator has been developed for precisely controlling the rotational motion of cylindrical components from macroscale to microscale. The actuator is supported at the nodal point and works at an elliptical vibration mode under anti-resonant frequency. The workpiece's rotational speed can be controlled accurately via the contact frictional force and has a linear relationship with the actuator's vibration. An application on machining operation has confirmed the fabricable dimension of the developed actuator. The dimension of to-be-machined workpiece can be smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Compared with the traditional methods, it provides a more effective approach to fabricate macro-to-micro cylindrical components in high-aspect-ratio for micromachining, biomedicine and electrochemistry.