MLA Piezoelectric-Mechanical Systems: Modelling and Simulation

Multilayer actuators (MLA) are among the piezoelectric devices best suited to be introduced into fast and high-precision mechanical systems, because of their relatively large strokes and short actuation time. Several analytical models of their dynamic behaviour were developed during the last decades but none considered the real structure of the multilayer actuator. In this paper a more detailed model of a generic mechanical system driven by a piezoelectric multilayer actuator is presented. A complete description of such model is given and a comparison to existing modelling techniques is made. The behaviour of some commercially available actuators is analysed and results are discussed.