Scratchbuilt Piezo Printhead

This is a description of a simple DIY Piezo print head.

or to be more precise early attempts.

The last time I looked at piezo materials they were to expensive for the tinkerer to play with, after some searching, bimorphs, or buzzers seemed like the only affordable source of piezo actuators, whilst they have a low frequency compared to normal ultrasonics at the audible range of around 2KH to 4KH, this should be ample for pumping or jetting or spraying fluids.

better image to follow

Some info on piezo electric [1]

                           [2]
                           [3]

First attempt A pocket was machined out of some 40mm dia alluminium to accept the bimorph, also to act as a reservoir for the fluid, a hole on the circumference for fluid feed and a small hole in the centre of the alluminium to act as a nozzle, the smallest drill to hand was approx .5mm, so this was swagged or closed with a ball bearing to reduces the size.

( cad image here)

(photo here)