Thanks to powerful, cost-effective electronics and the relevant expertise, high-frequency vibration systems that feature what are known as resonant piezo actuators are being rapidly developed and refined. According to a technical article by the Zurich-based engineering and consulting firm Helbling, new application areas are also being continuously added. While car parking assistants may be a familiar example, the technology is also used in industrial manufacturing and medicine. Helbling has been developing piezo actuators for a growing number of customers for more than 15 years, the article states. Among other aspects, there has been solutions for medical applications, including hearing aids, surgical tools and diagnostic instruments for removing kidney stones, for example. However, other use cases include perfume atomizers and watch gears.
Originally, the technology was developed for submarine sonar measurement devices. The principle is illustrated in the article by way of the car parking assistant, whereby its sensor emits short ultrasonic pulses. In this context, the time required for the sound wave to be reflected by the wall and return to the sensor is measured.
These ultrasonic sensor pulses are imperceptible to the human ear and eye, and the functionality design is quite complex. According to the authors of the technical article, special tools, interdisciplinary expertise and experience are therefore required for application development processes. In recent years, Helbling has amassed know-how and implemented development infrastructure to aid the advancement of piezo actuators. Among other aspects, the technical article highlights in this regard software tools for simulation and optimization as well as powerful laboratory measuring devices. In this context, dedicated laser vibrometers are said to be particularly important for contact-free measurement of the smallest mechanical vibrations with the highest precision and temporal resolution.
