Why Use Ultrasonic Motors
Ultrasonic Motors for Precision Motion and Automation
Compact piezo ceramic motors for fast, self-locking, high-resolution linear and rotary positioning in precision mechatronic systems.
What Is an Ultrasonic Motor / Why Use It?
An ultrasonic motor is a precision motion device that converts high-frequency vibration from a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer ceramic into smooth linear or rotary motion. Instead of using magnetic fields, coils, gears, or lead screws, the motor excites a piezoceramic element at ultrasonic frequencies. The vibration is transferred through a friction interface to a moving slider or rotor, producing very small steps that combine into continuous travel. Because the drive is solid-state, ultrasonic motors can be compact, quiet, fast, and highly responsive. Piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers can also be used for non-motion related applications and find wide use in medical applications.
Ultrasonic motors are used where conventional electromagnetic motors become too large, too slow, or too mechanically complex. Typical applications include precision automation, optical positioning, microscope stages, semiconductor tools, medical devices, camera and lens mechanisms, compact linear actuators, vacuum-compatible positioning, and miniature mechatronic systems. They are especially useful when space is limited and when fast start-stop motion, fine positioning, or self-locking behavior is required.
Key advantages include high resolution, direct drive, low profile construction, no magnetic field generation, and excellent position stability when powered off. The self-locking friction principle allows the position to hold without continuous current, reducing heat. Ultrasonic motors also eliminate gears and backlash, enabling compact precision motion with fast response and clean mechanical integration.
Ultrasonic Motor Videos
Video: Miniature Rotary Stage Powered by An Ultrasonic Motor.
Video: Miniature XY Positioning Stage, Powered by Ultrasonic Motors
Video: Ultrasonic Piezo Motor - Driving Linear and Rotary Stages
Video: Ultrasonic Motor driving the Leica Theodolite
Technical Resources
Performance of Ultrasonic Motors
Read the paper on positioning capabilities and performance of ultrasonic motors.
Operating Principles
Survey of the various operating principles of ultrasonic piezomotors.
Linear Ultrasonic Micromotor
Technical note on linear ultrasonic micromotors for precision mechatronic systems.
Ultrasonic Motor Catalog
Download the ultrasonic motor catalog for product details and specifications.
Piezo Motor Principles
Video: Piezo Motor Operating Principles - From Stick-Slip to Ultrasonic.
Ultrasonic Motors Compared with Other Motor Technologies
Ultrasonic motors are one member of the broader piezo motor family. While all piezo motors use the piezoelectric effect to generate motion, different drive principles offer different advantages in speed, force, resolution, travel range, and holding force. Compared to conventional electromagnetic motors, piezo motors can provide compact size, high resolution, and self-locking operation without power.
| Technology | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasonic Motors | High speed, compact size, self-locking, quiet operation, high force density, direct drive, and no magnetic field generation. | Limited continuous force compared with large industrial electromagnetic motors. |
| Stick-Slip Piezo Motors | Nanometer-level positioning, very compact design, direct-drive motion | Typically lower speed than ultrasonic motors and less suitable for very smooth continuous motion. |
| PiezoWalk® Motors | High holding force, nanometer precision, long travel, vacuum compatibility, and non-magnetic operation. | More complex drive electronics and generally lower maximum speed than ultrasonic motors. |
| DC Servo Motors | High speed, broad availability, and good performance for general automation. | Rotation needs to be converted to linear motion with screws. May require brakes or power to hold position; gearheads can introduce backlash; magnetic fields may be undesirable in some applications. |
| Stepper Motors | Cost-effective, simple control, and useful for many positioning tasks. | Can produce vibration and resonance; torque falls with speed; heat generation can be an issue. |
| Voice Coil Motors | Very smooth motion, high acceleration, and excellent dynamic response over short travel ranges. | Limited travel and continuous power required to hold position. |
| 3-Phase Linear Motors | High speed, long travel, high acceleration, excellent precision, and direct-drive performance for larger systems. | Larger footprint, continuous power consumption, heat generation, and no inherent self-locking capability. |
Among piezo motor technologies, ultrasonic motors are often selected when compact size, high speed, quiet operation, and self-locking behavior are required. For the highest holding force or special environments such as vacuum and non-magnetic applications, other piezo motor principles such as PiezoWalk® or stick-slip drives may be preferred.