About us

Piezosolution  manufactures to customer specifications, piezoelectric discs, rings, plates, and custom shapes consisting of soft and hard-body  lead-free piezoelectric ceramics and lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) compositions.

    Our processing capabilities include: designing, machining, pressing, firing, custom electroding, poling and testing piezoelectric ceramics, monocrystals  and devices. Depending on customer specifications,  Piezosolution will design piezo devices specific to customer applications, perform custom electroding, match ceramic parts in pairs or groups, supply soldered leads, and, when requested, tighten standard tolerances and provide additional electrical testing.

BENDING & EXTENDING ACTUATORS & SENSORS

 Piezosolution specializes in manufacturing piezoelectric bending and extending elements. A proprietary bonding process and ceramic qualifying program leads to consistent performance, high-strength, thermally stable, void free, multilayer laminations. Advanced cutting techniques produce actuators with dimensional tolerances within ± .005 mm if necessary; chip-free edges; non-linear shapes; and contamination free surfaces. Piezosolution ships parts to performance specifications, not merely to dimensional tolerance. Our bending actuators are employed in piezo valves, choppers, modulators, fans, tunneling microscopes, and soil testers. Our bending sensors are used in implantable pacemakers and industrial equipment.

RESONANT DEVICES

 Resonant piezoelectric devices are an effective way of achieving high periodic motion at low voltage and power. Products designed to operate at a single frequency require special attention be paid to dimensional uniformity, material consistency, and process control. A careful balance is sought between minimizing strain on the piezoceramic and maximizing the dynamic amplitude. Energy losses due to internal dissipation, external attachments, and output loading are addressed.

ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS

Ultrasonic transducers are essential components in ultrasonic testing and various other applications where ultrasonic waves are used to inspect, measure, or transmit information. These transducers are devices that can both generate and receive ultrasonic waves. They convert electrical energy into mechanical vibrations and vice versa. Ultrasonic transducers are versatile and find applications in a wide range of industries, including non-destructive testing (NDT), medical imaging, distance measurement, and more.

Key features and components of ultrasonic transducers include:

• Piezoelectric Crystal: The core element of an ultrasonic transducer is a piezoelectric crystal, often made from materials like lead zirconate titanate (PZT). When an electrical voltage is applied to the crystal, it undergoes deformation, creating mechanical vibrations. Conversely, when mechanical vibrations are applied to the crystal, it generates an electrical voltage.

• Housing: Transducers are typically encased in a protective housing, which is designed to be acoustically transparent to allow the transmission of ultrasonic waves. The housing also provides mechanical protection to the delicate piezoelectric crystal.

• Wear Plate or Acoustic Window: Some ultrasonic transducers have a wear plate or acoustic window on the front surface. This component helps protect the transducer element and improve the acoustic coupling with the material under inspection.

• Electrical Connector: Ultrasonic transducers have electrical connectors for attaching cables and interfacing with the ultrasonic testing instrument. Common connector types include BNC, LEMO, or specialized connectors designed for specific equipment.

Ultrasonic transducers come in various types based on their application and design. Some common types include:

• Contact Transducers: These transducers are used for applications where direct contact with the test material is possible. They are often used for thickness measurement, flaw detection in welds, and other surface inspections.

• Immersion Transducers: Immersion transducers are designed for use in ultrasonic immersion testing, where the test material is immersed in a liquid to facilitate sound wave propagation. They are often used for inspecting large or complex structures like aerospace components.

• Phased Array Transducers: Phased array transducers have multiple piezoelectric elements and can electronically control the direction and focusing of the ultrasonic beam. This technology allows for more precise inspections of complex geometries and is commonly used in advanced ultrasonic testing applications.

• Dual-Element Transducers: Dual-element transducers consist of two separate piezoelectric elements, one for transmitting and the other for receiving ultrasonic waves. They are often used in applications where a pulse-echo technique is required, such as thickness measurement.

• Angle Beam Transducers: These transducers are designed to introduce ultrasonic waves into the test material at specific angles. They are commonly used for detecting and sizing defects in welds and other materials with complex geometries.

The selection of the appropriate ultrasonic transducer depends on the specific application, the type of material being tested, and the desired inspection method. Transducer frequency, size, and design are chosen based on these factors to ensure accurate and reliable results in ultrasonic testing.

ELECTRONIC  NDT EQUIPMENT

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to detect and characterize flaws or discontinuities in materials. Electronic Ultrasonic Testing NDT equipment, also known as Ultrasonic Testing Instruments or UT equipment, plays a crucial role in performing UT inspections. These devices are typically used in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, aerospace, and more, to ensure the integrity and quality of materials and components.

Key components of electronic Ultrasonic Testing NDT equipment include:

• Ultrasonic Transducer: The transducer generates and receives ultrasonic waves. It converts electrical energy into mechanical vibrations (transmit mode) and mechanical vibrations back into electrical signals (receive mode). Transducers come in various frequencies and designs to suit specific testing applications.

• Pulser-Receiver: The pulser-receiver is responsible for generating high-voltage electrical pulses to drive the transducer during the transmit mode and amplifying the received signals during the receive mode. It also controls the timing of these operations.

• Display and Control Unit: This component provides the operator with a user interface to control the equipment and interpret test results. It typically includes a screen, knobs, buttons, and a digital display to set parameters, visualize waveforms, and record data.

• Cables and Connectors: These components link the transducer to the pulser-receiver and the display and control unit. They carry electrical signals and power between these components.

• Data Recording and Storage: Modern UT equipment often includes data recording and storage capabilities, allowing inspectors to save and analyze test data for reporting and quality control purposes.

• Software: Some UT equipment comes with dedicated software for data analysis, reporting, and configuration. This software may offer advanced features like signal processing and flaw sizing.

• Calibrating Blocks: These are used for calibrating the equipment and verifying its accuracy. Calibrating blocks are known standards with artificial defects of known sizes.

Electronic Ultrasonic Testing NDT equipment can be categorized into several types based on their intended use:

• Contact Ultrasonic Testing: Used for inspecting materials with direct contact between the transducer and the test piece. Common applications include weld inspections and thickness measurements.

• Immersion Ultrasonic Testing: Involves immersing the test piece in a liquid bath to ensure full coverage of the material with sound waves. It's often used for inspecting complex and large objects, like aerospace components.

• Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT): Utilizes multiple transducer elements to create and control sound beams electronically, allowing for better control and coverage of the inspected area. It's especially useful for inspecting complex geometries.

• Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD): Measures the time it takes for ultrasonic waves to travel through a material and diffract from a flaw. TOFD is highly effective for sizing and locating defects accurately.

Electronic Ultrasonic Testing NDT equipment is critical in ensuring the safety and reliability of various structures and components. Its effectiveness depends on the skill of the operator, the quality of equipment, and the appropriateness of the testing method for the specific application.

PROGRAMMING OF MICROCONTROLLERS AND FPGA

Programming microcontrollers and FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) involves writing code or configuring the device to perform specific tasks and functions. Each of these devices has its own programming methods and tools.