Experimental investigations on active vibration isolation using piezoelectric actuators

Many industrial processes and equipments demand for active vibration isolation systems for their accurate functioning. This paper reports the experimental investigations done on the use of piezoelectric actuators to develop active vibration isolation platform. A control system has been developed to estimate the characteristics of the disturbing vibration and to generate the output signal that nullifies the disturbing vibration. In the proposed experimental system, two piezoelectric actuators are used. The first piezoelectric actuator is used to induce the vibration. The second piezoactuator is used for generating a vibration which is 180° out of phase with the disturbing vibration. This will ensure vibration isolation of the instrument which is under consideration. Experiments were conducted and it has been observed that the vibration isolation platform is capable of reducing the vibration by almost 64% of its original value. The developed system can be used for active vibration isolation of the cutting tool /work piece in machining processes.