Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 12, 2025

Method to Measure Tone of Axial and Proximal Muscle
Published on: December 14, 2011
2-DOF Small-Size Piezoelectric Locomotion Platform with the Unlimited Motion Range
Andrius Čeponis1, Dalius Mažeika2, Vytautas Jūrėnas3
1Department of Engineering Graphics, Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Abstract:
This paper presents numerical and experimental investigations of a small size piezoelectric locomotion platform that provides unlimited planar motion. The platform consists of three piezoelectric bimorph plates attached to the equilateral triangle-shaped structure by an angle of 60 degrees. Alumina spheres are glued at the bottom of each plate and are used as a contacting element. The planar motion of the platform is generated via excitation of the first bending mode of the corresponding plate using a single harmonic signal while the remaining plates operate as passive supports. The direction of the platform motion controlled by switching electric signal between piezoelectric plates. A numerical investigation of the 2-DOF platform was performed, and it was found out that the operation frequency of the bimorph plates is 23.67 kHz, while harmonic response analysis showed that the maximum displacement amplitude of the contact point reached 563.6 µm in the vertical direction while an excitation signal of 210 Vp-p is applied. Prototype of the 2-DOF piezoelectric platform was made, and an experimental study was performed. The maximum linear velocity of 44.45 mm/s was obtained when preload force and voltage of 0.546 N and 210 Vp-p were applied, respectively.
Related Concept Videos
One-Degree-of-Freedom System
A one-degree-of-freedom system is defined by an independent variable that determines its state and behavior. One example of a one-degree-of-freedom system is a simple harmonic oscillator, such as a...
Two-Dimensional Force System
Planar Rigid-Body Motion
Planar motion is typically divided into three distinct categories. The first is rectilinear translation, demonstrated by a subway train that moves along...
Torque Free Motion
Two-Dimensional Force System: Problem Solving
The first step to solving a two-dimensional force system problem is to draw a free-body diagram of the object under consideration. This diagram helps identify all the external forces acting on the object, including their...
Three-Dimensional Force System

