New system for multilayer foil technology halves the time required for pattern fabrication and increases flexibility in the manufacturing of piezoceramics

View into a cleanroom at PI Ceramic with a system for multilayer foil technology. (Copyright: www.sebastian-reuter.de/PI Ceramic)

PI Ceramic, the innovation and market leader for piezoceramic components, accelerates sample production for development projects with a new, fully automated production line for multilayer technology. Additionally, the flexible plant design enables economical small-series production.

Investments in the millions pay off for customers

In the manufacturing of piezoceramic components, especially PICMA multilayer bending actuators and linear actuators, foil technology plays a central role. In addition to the existing large-scale production line, PI Ceramic has invested millions in the development and setup of a new plant for multilayer single foil components. Customers will benefit from a flexible plant design that allows for cost-effective manufacturing of small series and prototypes, and furthermore, reduces the time required to produce samples for system development to just a few weeks, nearly halving the previous duration. The line also ensures continuous traceability of intermediate products. This is essential, for example, for applications of the products in medical technology.

Three manufacturing stations work seamlessly together

In detail, the plant consists of three stations: The sheet cutter cuts the cast ceramic foils precisely to the required individual foil sizes. The screen printer then prints the inner electrode paste onto the foils using screen printing technology, followed by drying in a drying section. The third unit, the stacker, detaches the ceramic foils from their carrier foil, stacks, and presses them. A uniform cassette system ensures efficient handling of the foils between stations.

Strategic investment

"PI Ceramic, with its combination of the established large-scale production line and the new small-series line, possesses the world's most modern and flexible machinery for manufacturing piezoceramic multilayer actuators," emphasizes Dr. Patrick Pertsch, Managing Director of PI Ceramic, highlighting the importance of the investment. This technology forms the basis for consolidating and expanding the position of the PI Group as a global leader in piezo-based nanopositioning technology and strengthens PI Ceramic's position as a reliable quality supplier of custom piezoceramic multilayer components.

The investment is another milestone in PI Ceramic's growth strategy, for which a new building with a total of 7,500 m² of additional space was constructed as early as fall 2022.