We model and realize an ultrasonic contactless pick-and-place device capable of picking, self-centering, self-orienting, translating, and releasing flat millimetric objects. The device is an ultrasonic Langevin transducer operating at 21 kHz that radiates into air through a tapered tip. Objects are trapped few micrometers below the tip due to the near-field acoustic levitation phenomenon. We first investigate the conditions to achieve an attractive force on the object depending on its size and the device operating frequency. Second, we use a 3D acoustic model that describes the converging forces and torque that provide the self-centering and self-orienting capabilities. Third, a more advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics model based on the Navier–Stokes equations explains the small gap between the tip and the trapped object. The contactless manipulation capabilities of the device are demonstrated by picking, transporting, and releasing a Surface Mount Device in air. The presented manipulation concept can be an interesting alternative for manipulating delicate objects such as microelectromechanical devices, silicon dies, or micro-optical devices.
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3 February 2020
Research Article|
February 04 2020
Contactless pick-and-place of millimetric objects using inverted near-field acoustic levitation

Special Collection:
Acoustic Tweezers
Marco A. B. Andrade
;
Marco A. B. Andrade
a)
1
Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo
, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
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Tiago S. Ramos;
Tiago S. Ramos
2
Physics Department, University of Massachusetts
, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
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Julio C. Adamowski;
Julio C. Adamowski
3
Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo
, São Paulo 05508-030, Brazil
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Asier Marzo
Asier Marzo
4
UpnaLab, Universidad Pública de Navarra
, Pamplona 31006, Navarra, Spain
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Marco A. B. Andrade
1,a)
Tiago S. Ramos
2
Julio C. Adamowski
3
Asier Marzo
4
1
Instituto de Física, Universidade de São Paulo
, São Paulo 05508-090, Brazil
2
Physics Department, University of Massachusetts
, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA
3
Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo
, São Paulo 05508-030, Brazil
4
UpnaLab, Universidad Pública de Navarra
, Pamplona 31006, Navarra, Spain
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: [email protected]
Appl. Phys. Lett. 116, 054104 (2020)
Article history
Received:
November 14 2019
Accepted:
January 10 2020
Connected Content
A companion article has been published:
Acoustic levitation facilitates contactless movement of millimetric objects
Citation
Marco A. B. Andrade, Tiago S. Ramos, Julio C. Adamowski, Asier Marzo; Contactless pick-and-place of millimetric objects using inverted near-field acoustic levitation. Appl. Phys. Lett. 3 February 2020; 116 (5): 054104. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5138598
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