Abstract
In this paper, development of a prototypical microcontroller controlled ultrasonic actuator system incorporating a plate-like piezoelectric actuator is discussed to provide an alternative means in actively guiding the tape laterally. Structural vibration modes are first experimentally examined through standard modal analyses. Method of modal superposition is used in programming the micro-controller so as to provide excitations to the PZT actuator resulted in traveling waves in the plate-like structure. Promising results are demonstrated in the proposed system that have rich implications in providing active guiding mechanism to minimize and even actively control the tape's lateral motion. Copyright © 2011 by ASME.