PI PiezoWalk E-712 - Firmware Update; Software Overview; Safety Precautions; Working Principle of Piezowalk Drives

User Manual
E712T0010, valid for E-712.N1, E-712.1AM, E-712.1AN, .2AN, .3AN
CMo, BRo, 10/31/2024
Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG, Auf der Römerstraße 1, 76228 Karlsruhe, Germany page 4 / 40
Phone +49 721 4846-0, fax +49 721 4846-1019, e-mail info@pi.ws, www.pi.ws
1.3 Firmware Update
Using the full functionality described in this User Manual requires a firmware update to 01.017 or newer for
NEXLINE® drives and to 02.030 or newer for NEXACT® and PICMAWalk drives. Proceed as described in “Firmware
Updates” in the E-712 User Manual.
1.4 Software Overview
It is recommended to use PIMikroMove for configuration and operation of the E-711/E-712 system for
PiezoWalk® drives. The program is included in the PI Software Suite.
For initial installation of the PC software and installation of updates see the E-712 User Manual (PZ195E).
2 Safety Precautions
CAUTION
Incorrect parameter values may lead to improper operation or damage to your hardware. PI strongly
recommends to change the preset parameter values only after consultation with the PI customer service
department.
CAUTION
Incorrect selection of the PiezoWalk® drive type leads to improper operation out of specification.
3 Working Principle of PiezoWalk® Drives
PiezoWalk® drives – i.e. NEXLINE®, NEXACT® and PICMAWalk drives - consist of one or more piezo drive modules
which are coupled to the same moving runner. The piezo drive modules themselves each consist of at least four
piezo actuators. The type of piezo actuators differs between the NEXLINE®, NEXACT® and PICMAWalk drives (see
below for details).
The piezo drive modules are preloaded against the runner. Hence the runner is clamped and keeps its position
even when the piezo drive modules are not supplied with current.
The feed of the runner results from coordinated lifting and clamping of the piezo actuators in conjunction with
shearing motion. In other words, the piezo drive module performs a stepping motion along the runner.
The piezo actuators of a piezo drive module are controlled in pairs. With PiezoWalk® drives comprising multiple
piezo drive modules, the corresponding pairs of actuators are connected in parallel.
Each PiezoWalk® drive thus requires four piezo voltage signals: two for clamping components and two for
shearing components. The two voltage signals for the shearing components are referred to as D1 and D2 (D for
“driving”) while the two for the clamping components are C1 and C2.