US Patent 7545078 Actuator for moving a tool

An actuator for moving a tool is disclosed, comprising a housing in which a tappet carrying a tool holder is guided axially movable, wherein the tappet is movable by means of a fast drive, e.g. by a piezo drive or by a nanotube drive, which is biased against a restoring force and which is dampened by a dampening element. Herein the fast drive may at least partially be received within a recess of the tappet which leads to a very compact design, in particular in combination with a coaxial dampening element. For guiding the tappet in axial direction alternatively a roller guide may be used (FIG. 3).