Piezoelectric and MEMS Actuators for Next-Generation Dobby
topic
Piezoelectric and micro-electromechanical system actuators are under research for next-generation dobby and Jacquard shedding from their potential for response times below 1 millisecond that would enable weaving speeds above 2000 picks per minute, dramatically lower power consumption than electromagnetic actuators from the capacitive rather than resistive energy storage of piezoelectric elements, and the reduced mass of MEMS-scale actuators that would enable higher-density hook arrays at reduced harness inertia.
Role
Represents the actuator technology pathway for the next generation of high-speed Jacquard machines that would exceed the speed limitations of current electromagnetic actuator designs, with piezoelectric and MEMS actuators potentially enabling the factor-of-two or greater speed increases that would transform Jacquard production economics by doubling the fabric output per machine that is the primary lever for reducing Jacquard fabric cost per metre.