Created a Simulink model and MATLAB script to optimize piezostack configuration.
Intro
I developed a high-fidelity simulation of a piezoelectric stack (piezostack) actuator in MATLAB and Simulink. The system included a dynamic mechanical model, a displacement amplification lever, and closed-loop position and voltage control.
How I built it
I built this model in Simulink and used MATLAB to automatically iterate through different parameters. The model leverages the Simscape library, which provides built-in blocks that simulate the inputs and outputs of a physical piezostack actuator. The model outputs both numerical and graphical data showing the piezostack actuator's power consumption, applied force, and mass displacement at the actuator tip over time. The figures below provide insight into the model and its subsystems:
The Simulink model for the piezostack actuator device including its position and voltage controllers.
Simulink schematic of the position controller utilizing PID block from the Simulink library. PID values were selected with MATLABs built in PID Tuner tool.
Simulink schematic showing the piezo actuator voltage controller with Simscape library integration.
Tabulated simulation results showing how increasing piezostack cross-sectional area and displacement improves output force and power, with electrical work rising nonlinearly—highlighting key trade-offs in actuator design.
Simulated displacement and power response of a piezostack actuator system showing rapid convergence to a 31 µm target with 2× mechanical amplification and a total energy consumption of 62 mJ.
What it does
The actuator drove a 1 kg mass through a lever that doubled its displacement. I simulated the system response for an actuator with a 100 mm² cross-sectional area and a target displacement of 31 µm. The system achieved steady-state displacement with acceptable overshoot and consumed 62 mJ of electrical energy. A controller-regulated voltage signal was applied to meet the position reference.
Accomplishments
The system met the target displacement with good stability and control efficiency. The simulation matched well with performance specs from commercial actuators by ThorLabs and PI, validating the model. These results show that careful parameter tuning and closed-loop control can significantly improve energy efficiency and displacement fidelity in precision applications.
Mechanical model: The system uses a Piezo Stack block from the Simscape library.
