28 Piezoelectric Actuator Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for piezoelectric actuators as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 28 piezoelectric actuator manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked piezoelectric actuator companies as of November, 2024: 1.THK PRECISION CO.,LTD., 2.piezosystem jena GmbH, 3.Matsusada Precision Inc..
Table of Contents
Categories Related to Piezoelectric Actuators
What Is a Piezo Actuator?
A piezo actuator is an actuator that uses a phenomenon known as the piezoelectric (Piezo) effect.
The piezoelectric (piezo) effect refers to a physical phenomenon in which mechanical energy applied to a piezoelectric material solid, such as quartz or ceramics, generates electrical energy. Since this phenomenon is reversible, a linear displacement is obtained in the piezoelectric material when an opposite electrical signal is input, and this reverse piezoelectric effect is used in many cases in Piezo actuators.
Piezo actuators are characterized by low power consumption, small size, high speed, and no magnetic field.
Uses of Piezo Actuators
Piezo actuators are used in internal positioning mechanisms for HDD drives and semiconductor lithography equipment, ink pumps for inkjet printers, switches for smartphones, and energy harvesting (environmental power generation). Especially in recent years, tactile feedback technology unique to Piezo actuators has been used in many cases as switches for smartphones and in-vehicle car navigation systems.
One of the advantages of utilizing Piezo actuators is the ability to create seamless designs. Piezo actuators are also beginning to be used for energy harvesting (environmental power generation), where mechanical energy such as vibration from the environment is used to generate electricity. Energy harvesting refers to the conversion of energy from the environment into electricity.
Principle of Piezo Actuators
The principle of operation of a piezo actuator is based on the physical phenomenon of mechanical micro-deformation (vibration) of a piezoelectric crystal solid when an electric field is applied to a piezoelectric element such as ceramics, and this phenomenon is used in the actuator mechanism.
This physical phenomenon is the opposite of the piezoelectric (Piezo) effect and is called the inverse piezoelectric effect because it converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The structure of a piezo actuator, at its simplest, consists of a piezoelectric material sandwiched between electrodes and wiring, and because of its simplicity, it has excellent durability and high reliability.
Currently, ferroelectric ceramic crystals such as barium titanate are widely used as piezoelectric materials.
Types of Piezo Actuators
Typical types of Piezo actuators include stacked, bimorph, and tube types.
1. Multilayer Piezo Actuator
This actuator consists of alternating layers of piezo sensors and electrodes, and can easily obtain precise micro displacement. It is also used for precision positioning due to its high generated stress and good response.
2. Bimorph Piezo Actuator
Two longitudinally extensible piezoelectric elements are joined together, and when one is extended, the other is deflected. When a deflection force is applied, electrical energy is generated. For this reason, there are many examples of use as acoustic sensors and flexure sensors.
3. Tube-Type Piezo Actuator
This actuator expands and contracts radially and axially when voltage is applied to the inner and outer electrodes.
Other Information on Piezo Actuators
1. Hysteresis Correction
Piezo actuators are simple in structure, highly reliable, and excel in minute, compact, high-speed operation, but their greatest drawback is that they have hysteresis error. Ideally, there should be a perfectly proportional relationship between the applied voltage and the stroke of the actuator, but in reality, there is a hysteresis variation of up to 15% in the stroke value when the voltage increases or decreases. To compensate for this, products with position detection mechanisms and ASIC feedback compensation functions are also used.
2. Load Considerations
Ferroelectric ceramics are very resistant to loads in the expected operating direction, but unexpected loads such as shear stress, unbalanced loads, and rotational moments may cause the laminate crystals to fracture because of the ceramic crystals. It is important to pay close attention to the manufacturer's precautions for use and take care not to misuse the product.
List of 28 Piezoelectric Actuator Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
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- United States of America
- China
- France
- Germany
- Japan
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Thorlabs, Inc
Piezoelectric Actuators
Manufacturer Overview
Thorlabs, Inc, established in Newton, NJ in 1989, is a manufacturer of photonics equipment for research, manufacturing, and biomedical applications. Their product portfolio includes optical components, for use in imaging, sensing, and spectroscopy applications, spectrometers and analyzers used for research and industrial applications, fiber optic components and photomultiplier tubes, and imaging devices that capture and measure light signals for diverse applications in scientific research. The company has sales offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, China, and Brazil.
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Tokin America, Inc
Laminated Piezoelectric Actuator
Manufacturer Overview
Tokin America Inc., headquartered in San Jose, California, is a supplier of passive electronic components in North, South, and Central America and is a subsidiary of Tokin Corporation. Its diverse product range includes capacitors, noise countermeasure components, and sensors used in several industries, including telecommunication, automotive electronics, and digital home appliances. The company also provides specialized design support and works with several distributors within the United States, including Future Electronics, WPG Americas, and Bravo Electronics.
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KEMET
Piezoelectric Devices
Manufacturer Overview
KEMET has a portfolio of over 1,600 patents serving the automotive, aerospace, industrial, telecommunications, computing, consumer, and medical devices. KEMETs devices provide filtering, sensing, energy storage, power conversion, and haptic actuator technology. Among these devices are capacitors, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) components, resistors, circuit protection devices, inductors, sensors, Piezoelectric devices, release, transformers, and engineering kits.
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SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp
Piezoelectric Actuators
Manufacturer Overview
Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
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PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
Nanopositioning piezo flexure stage
Manufacturer Overview
Physik Instrumente aka PI, founded 50 years ago, is a private company that creates and produces automation systems, including hexapods, air bearings, and piezo drives that are used in life-sciences, photonics, and aerospace industries and research institutes. Their products are manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia. Physik Instrumente is ITAR registered. The company's head office is located in Auburn, America. And its manufacturing and other facilities are located in New England.
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CTS Corporation
Piezoelectric actuators
Company Overview
CTS Corporation was founded in 1896 and is headquartered in Lisle, Illinois. CTS is a manufacturer and distributor of sensors, actuators, and various connectivity components to telecommunications infrastructure, information technology, and other high-speed applications such as the aerospace and medical markets. CTS operates in 3 primary market segments: Sense, Connect, and Move. The Sense market segment includes controls such as potentiometers, pedals, sensors, and switches. The Connect segment includes various types of resistors, capacitors, and frequency control products. The move segment includes piezoelectric move products, rotary actuators, and thermal products including ZIF PC board retainers and heatsinks.
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Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc.
Piezo Actuators
Company Overview
Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc. is a precision motion products and services provider based in Franklin, Tennessee since 1998. The firm makes actuators, motors, drivers and other products. It also offers services in precision machining, LabVIEW Consulting, Testing, and more. The company is ISO 9001:201 certified, and specializes in electronics for custom high precision motion control systems and positioning applications. It worked on projects in several industries with commercial, government agencies, national laboratories, and academic institutions.
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PIEZO
Piezoelectric actuator
Company Overview
Piezoelectric Products invites you to partner with their piezo experts in a collaborative engineering process to design and build a reliable and robust piezoelectric sub-system solution. Founded in 1981, Piezoelectric Products has a large multi-disciplinary engineering team with expertise in structural dynamics, mechanical design, aero-acoustics, manufacturing, embedded electronics, and software focused on using piezoceramic technology, especially in the areas of lamination bonding, flexure design, ceramic stress and fatigue criteria, thermal stability, mounting, power take-off attachments, electronic drive, testing, and evaluation. Piezoelectric Products' website, PIEZO.com, offers customers the ability to customize their needs with a Custom Product Builder, assuring all conditions are met every time.
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Harbin Core Tomorrow Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Preloaded Piezo Actuators
Manufacturer Overview
Harbin Core Tomorrow Science & Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2002 in Harbin, China, is a manufacturer specializing in precision motion control products. The company’s extensive product range includes piezo stages, nanopositioners, piezo actuators, mirror mounts with piezo linear motors, and piezo micrometers. It holds ISO 9001 certification, and the precision motion control products find application in industries such as semiconductors, optics, microscopy, and life sciences, where the equipment plays a critical role in enabling nanoscale positioning and manipulation, resulting in advancements in research and manufacturing in the field of motion control.
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Matsusada Precision Inc.
Piezoelectric Actuators
Manufacturer Overview
Matsusada Precision Inc is located in Shiga, Japan, and was established in 1978, known as the developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of power supply products and imaging products. The power supply products include high voltage amplifiers, AC, DC, and regenerative DC power supplies as well as optical sensors, which have their use in research centers, aerospace, analytical instruments, electronics, and almost all industries that use power to operate. The imaging products are associated with businesses that use X-ray inspection as a service such as life sciences and electronics Environmental improvement equipment is also supplied, but only in Japan.
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HOKURIKU ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO.,LTD
Piezoelectric Products
Manufacturer Overview
Hokuriku Electric Industry Co. LTD., founded in 1943 and headquartered in Toyama, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic components. Some of its products include circuit modules, fixed resistors, printed circuit boards, variable resistors, and NTC Thermistors, and it has eight domestic affiliate companies and 11 overseas affiliate companies, including HDK America Inc., and HDK China Ltd. The company is ISO 14001 certified, and it is working on producing products that are RoHS compliant. Its net sales for the 2022 fiscal year were 45.46 billion Japanese Yen, which was a 5.01 billion YoY increase from 2021.
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piezosystem jena GmbH
Multi-layer Piezo Actuators
Manufacturer Overview
Piezosystem Jena GmbH is a manufacturer of high-precision piezo products that was established in 1991 and is headquartered in Jena, Germany. The company’s products include piezo actuators and stages, positioning tools, fiber switches and amplifiers. Its products such as are used by several industries, as diverse as semiconductor, photonics, metrology, aerospace, and the automotive sector. Its applications include optical inter-satellite links, microscopy, micromanipulation, spectroscopy and shaker systems. The company also offers a wide range of services, including design, engineering, manufacturing, production facility, quality control and after-sales service.
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THK PRECISION CO.,LTD.
Simple actuator
Manufacturer Overview
THK PRECISION CO., LTD., established in 2002 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of positioning devices and force sensors, integral to nanoscale technology applications. Its product lineup includes Piezo Stage designed for positioning within a small range, offering high resolution (up to 1 nm) and swift response, Piezo Motor Stage enables nano-level positioning over considerable motion ranges with superior position reproducibility, Linear Motor Stage ensures stable, seamless positioning at variable speeds even with heavy loads, and Force Sensors for accurate measurement of varying loads. The company maintains ISO 9001 certification across its global production facilities.
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Cedrat Technologies
Piezo actuator
Manufacturer Overview
Cedrat Technologies, based in Meylan, France, is a manufacturer of mechatronics in the machinery industry. Cedrat Technologies manufactures smart actuators, smart sensors, mechatronic systems, and detection systems. These products are applied for different multidisciplinary uses such as health monitoring, acoustics, eletric generation and transformation, vibration control and polymers among many others. Cedrat Technologies also provide customized solutions aside from their standard products. The company also provides technological training courses for engineers and technicians with modules revolving around mechanotrics.
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Piezomechanik Dr. Lutz Pickelmann GmbH
Piezo actuator
Manufacturer Overview
Piezomechanik, established in 1991 and based in Munich, Germany, is a manufacturer of piezomechanical devices for optics, machines, and automotives. The company utilizes on the piezoelectric effect for their products wherein the devices are used as actuators in converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. Piezomechanik supply their products to different industries such as aerospace and satellite navigation, mechatronics, and nanotechnology. The company also provides custom designs and applications for client needs aside from their standard devices.
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Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Piezoelectric actuator
Manufacturer Overview
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Murata Manufacturing) was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Nagaokakyo, Japan. Murata Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and sells ceramic-based passive electronic components and solutions globally. The company operates through components, modules, and others segments, serving communications, mobility, industrial, healthcare, and personal electronics customers. They company's product offerings include noise suppression products, quartz devices,RFID devices, phase shifters, and wireless connectivity platforms. Services such as webinars and video library are also available for existing and potential customers alike.
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Zhejiang Jiakang Electronics Co., Ltd.
Langevin ultrasonic transducer
Manufacturer Overview
Zhejiang Jiakang Electronics Co. Ltd., established in 1986 and headquartered in Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, China, is a manufacturer of electronic components. The company provides numerous products, including microwave dielectric ceramic components, piezoelectric sensors, and ceramic frequency components. With an annual production capacity of 800 million pieces, its products are exported globally. It collaborates with international partners such as Samsung, Whirlpool, Denso, HID, and Emerson, while also strictly adhering to ISO9001, ISO14001, and IATF16949 quality management system standards.
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Piezo Direct
Multilayer Piezo Actuators
Manufacturer Overview
Piezo Direct was founded in 1989 and is a manufacturer and supplier of custom piezoelectric components based in Burlingame, California, United States. The company manufactures various piezoelectric products, such as piezoelectric atomizers, strips, discs, rings, and multilayer stack piezo actuators. Various industries have used and applied the products such as medical, communications, optics, automotive, and commercial. The company offers custom piezoelectric requests according to the customers' specification entirely under NDA quotes.
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APC International,Limited
PIEZO STACK ACTUATORS
Company Overview
APC International was founded in 1986, located in Mackeyville, USA and it is a manufacturer of piezoelectric ceramics and piezo devices. The company manufactures buzzers, air transducers, composite materials, stack actuators, piezo discs, rings, plates, and cylinders, ultrasonic power transducers, nebulizers, amplifiers, shear mode plates, disc benders, solder kits, and textbooks. Additionally, the company provides services in product design and consultation. It is a supplier and distributor of piezoelectric ceramics and devices to both domestic and international companies. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification.
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NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
Piezoceramic Actuators
Company Overview
NGK Insulators Ltd. was established in the year 1919 based in Nagoya, Japan and it is a manufacturer and supplier of electric power equipments. The company products are energy storage systems, automotive ceramics, special metals, home use water purifier, industrial process products, ceramic heaters, electrostatic chucks. It's products are applicable in batteries, suspension insulators, station post insulators, pin post insulators, beryllium copper strip and chill vents. The company is ISO 26000 certified.
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Microfine Materials Technologies Pte Ltd
Piezo Actuators
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HE SHUAI
Piezoelectric Actuator
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A&P Instruments
Piezoelectric Actuators
Distributor Overview
A&P Instruments, in China, is a supplier of laser and optoelectronics products. The company offers a wide range of laser diodes designed for precision and performance, suitable for applications in telecommunications, medical devices, industrial processes, and scientific research, election of optical components includes lenses, mirrors, prisms, and filters, providing critical elements for optical systems and experiments and a variety of optical instruments, including spectrometers, interferometers, and alignment tools for precision measurement and analysis.
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Industry Plaza
Piezoelectric Actuators
Distributor Overview
Industry Plaza, founded in France in 2007, is an electrical supplier of industrial equipment. The company's product portfolio includes an extensive selection of industrial machinery and tools, including machining equipment, power tools, material handling solutions, and safety gears. It also offers automation and control solutions such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), sensors, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs). The company has global suppliers and provides technical assistance and guidance, helping clients select the right equipment for their specific applications.
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Piezoelectric Actuator Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | piezosystem jena GmbH |
20.4%
|
| 2 | THK PRECISION CO.,LTD. |
8.6%
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| 3 | Matsusada Precision Inc. |
6.5%
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| 4 | Cedrat Technologies |
5.4%
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| 5 | NGK INSULATORS, LTD. |
4.3%
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| 6 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
4.3%
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| 7 | Changzhou Keliking Electronics Co., Ltd. |
3.2%
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| 8 | A&P Instruments |
3.2%
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| 9 | Piezodata |
3.2%
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| 10 | Industry Plaza |
3.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the piezoelectric actuator page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 77,581
- HOKURIKU ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO.,LTD: 1,907
- Matsusada Precision Inc.: 160
Newly Established Company
- Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc.: 1998 (26 years ago)
- piezosystem jena GmbH: 1991 (33 years ago)
- Thorlabs, Inc: 1989 (35 years ago)
Company with a History
- NGK INSULATORS, LTD.: 1919 (105 years ago)
- HOKURIKU ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO.,LTD: 1943 (81 years ago)
- Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: 1944 (80 years ago)
Piezoelectric Actuator Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
- Thorlabs, Inc
- Tokin America, Inc
- KEMET
- SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp
- PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.
- CTS Corporation
- piezosystem jena, Inc
- Dynamic Structures & Materials, Inc.
- PIEZO
Global Distribution of Piezoelectric Actuator Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
9 | 40.9% |
China
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6 | 27.3% |
Japan
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4 | 18.2% |
Germany
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2 | 9.1% |
France
|
1 | 4.5% |
