Friday, Jul 24, 2026 The claims desk. Receipts included. POWERED BY LENZ ↗
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The Claim

Piezoelectric autofocus motors can hold their position without continuous electrical power, unlike voice coil motor (VCM) autofocus modules that require continuous current to hold a non-rest position.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

The central distinction is broadly correct: piezoelectric autofocus motors are commonly able to hold position with power removed, while conventional VCM autofocus modules usually need current to hold away from their rest position. The caveat is that this contrast is not universal, because specialized VCM autofocus designs have been engineered for zero holding current.

Caveats

  • The VCM comparison is overstated as written: some autofocus VCM designs can hold position with zero current through added mechanical self-locking or frictional features.
  • "Piezoelectric motor" covers several subtypes; power-off holding force is common but not identical across all designs.
  • The claim is safest when read as describing typical industry behavior, not an absolute rule for every autofocus actuator.

The Receipts

  1. A mobile auto-focus actuator based on a rotary VCM with the zero holding current

    Optics Express (Optica Publishing Group)

  2. Miniaturized auto-focusing VCM actuator with zero holding current

    PubMed

  3. DRV201 Voice Coil Motor Driver for Camera Auto Focus

    Texas Instruments

  4. Piezoelectric Motors - an overview

    ScienceDirect

  5. A Comprehensive Review of Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motors

    PubMed Central

  6. FAQ: Do piezo motors have any holding force when de-energized?

    Motion Control Tips

  7. A mobile auto-focus actuator based on a rotary VCM with the zero holding current

    Sogang University / Optics Express PDF mirror

  8. Piezo Motors | Linear Motor Positioners | Manufacturer

    PI (Physik Instrumente)

  9. High Force Piezo Linear Motor, Nanometer Precision

    PI (Physik Instrumente)

  10. Ultrasonic motors (USD, PZD) | Actuator Technology

    Tamron

+ 21 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Piezoelectric Autofocus MotorsVoice Coil Motor Autofocus Modules

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