Method for large-scale production of piezoceramic-metal-compounds

The integration of sensors and actuators in material-compounds allows for additional functionalities within minimum space. Especially, piezoelectric materials are widely used in industrial applications, such as fuel injection or positioning. Up to now, production of sheet-metal-compounds with a sensor and actuator functionality is strongly restricted by manual fabrication processes. The design of a material-compound including aluminum sheet metals and flat piezoceramic fibers (piezoceramic-metal-compound) and a process chain allowing for an automated production offers the possibility of serial production. The compound design, the process chain for the fabrication of semi-finished parts, the forming into structural parts, and the functionality are presented. The process chain enables piezoceramic-metal-compounds for large-scale production.