DSM Completes Phase I Design of Non-magnetic Piezoelectric Actuation System; Starts Phase II Program

An increasing number of actuation system applications require non-magnetic operation.  A recent SBIR Phase I program challenged DSM to design a piezoelectric actuator with a magnetic field level below that of the earth at a distance of 1 inch.  The strength of earth’s magnetic field at the surface ranges from 30-60 microteslas (300-600 milligauss).  At a distance of 1 inch DSM’s FlexFrame PiezoActuator™ FPA-1200, operating at 25Hz over its full 1.2mm stroke, had a magnetic field of < 1 µT (10mG) (This is within the noise floor of the sensor.)  DSM’s VF-90 electronics tested at < 2 µT (20mG) during actuator operation at a distance of 1” from its highest field part.  Electronics with an even lower magnetic signature are currently in development.  A custom DSM circuit, based on the HMC1053 magnetometer, was used for magnetic field sensing.