The CuX series provides compact, high-efficiency multilayer piezo actuator stacks designed for demanding industrial and scientific applications. Engineered using advanced piezoceramic (PZT) materials, these stacks offer rapid response times, exceptional durability, and precise displacement across a wide range of voltages.

CuX Stack Piezo Actuators (Comparison with N-Stack Actuators)
Choosing CuX means more than just advanced piezo performance—it’s a smart business decision. With extended lifetime and outstanding durability, CuX stacks reduce replacement intervals and maintenance costs, resulting in a significantly lower total cost of ownership. Their copper-based design shields you from raw material price swings, ensuring consistent, reliable budgeting.
Need parts fast? CuX stacks are volume-ready with short delivery times for standard configurations, supporting accelerated development and reduced time-to-market. Their scalable production capability makes them ideal for OEMs and high-volume applications.
Mechanical stress during operation is often concentrated in the inactive regions of a piezo actuator. These zones are prone to initiating cracks in the ceramic structure, especially as their size increases. CuX stacks significantly reduce this risk by minimizing inactive layer width to just 100 µm—a fourfold improvement over conventional designs (typically ∼400 µm). This refinement not only lowers internal stress but also extends actuator life, enables higher operating voltages (up to 180 V), and delivers approximately 20% greater stroke which peak their actuating performance.

Copper-based inner electrodes for:
Standard multilayer actuators often use silver-palladium alloys for internal electrodes, but silver is highly prone to migration under humid conditions and electric fields which leads to internal short circuits or failure. CuX piezo actuators avoid this issue by employing copper electrodes, which offer excellent resistance to ion migration and maintain electrical integrity even in harsh environments. Copper is not only mechanically stable, but also significantly more cost-stable compared to palladium. Hence, making CuX stacks a smart choice for both reliability and cost-efficiency.

The joints that connect external electrodes endure substantial mechanical and thermal stress during extended operation. Traditional lead-based solders often fail at elevated temperatures due to embrittlement. CuX stacks incorporate a lead-free, high-melting-point metallic bond that remains structurally sound and flexible under extreme thermal conditions. This advanced interconnection technology has been validated through endurance testing, maintaining full functionality after 2000 hours at 200 °C, whereas conventional solders typically fail after just 1500 hours at 180 °C. The result is superior thermal reliability without compromising environmental safety.
| Comparison | N-Stacks | CuX Stacks |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | PZT multilayer stack silver/palladium actuator without housing, no preload | Multilayer piezo actuator with copper inner electrodes |
| Maximum Stroke | Up to 41 µm (Series N 35/ S3.5) | Up to 55 µm (Series CuX-M) |
| Stiffness | Up to 20 N/µm (Series N 35/ S5) | Up to 45 N/µm (Series CuX-M) |
| Blocking Force | Up to 850 N (Series N 35/S5) | Up to 2600 N (Series CuX-L) |
| Capacitance | Up to 3.6 µF (Series N 35/S5) | Up to 6.2 µF (Series CuX-L) |
| Voltage Range | -20… 130 V | -10… 180 V |
| Lifetime Test | >750 million cycles tested at 20°C 50% RH | up to 1 billion cycles of 83 Hz and 170°C |
| Curie Temperature | >145°C | 340°C |
| Delivery time | Project-based, longer lead times possible | Very good – short delivery times with standard types |
All CuX stacks are manufactured to tight mechanical and electrical tolerances and come with full dimensional drawings, electrical specs, and integration guidelines. piezosystem jena also offers: