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Description
Piezoelectric actuators are used to drive high-precision positioning systems. Ceramic actuators can withstand very high compressive loads but are susceptible to tensile forces. Cyclic loads and frequent load changes can cause cracks to form in the material over its lifespan. The influence of these cracks on the behavior and the durability of the actuator is the subject of current research. The long-term target is to clarify if a prediction of failure is possible based on the dynamic behavior of the actuator.
Cracks reduce the stiffness of the actuator locally, which changes the dynamics of the entire system. In such a mechatronic system, changes in the structure can also be detected in the electrical variables via the electromechanical coupling. Since cracks have a major influence on the lifetime of the actuators, it is extremely important to investigate and build up knowledge about the dynamic behavior and simulation of the actuators, in particular in the presence of cracks.
With the shift in resonance frequencies and the appearance of additional frequency components, it is the aim to determine the status of an actuator. The first step is to identify whether the actuator is damaged or not. In addition, the aim is to obtain a conclusion about the crack size and position based on the dynamic behavior.
