Abstract: According to the claimed invention, a positioning apparatus is disclosed. The positioning apparatus comprises a motor and a Scotch yoke for controlling the position of a first printer part. The motor is for providing a rotational motion to the Scotch yoke. In response, part of the Scotch yoke moves in a linear fashion. As a result of the linear motion of the Scotch yoke, the position of the first printer part can be controlled.

Abstract: A piezoelectric/electrostrictive device comprising, on a ceramic-made substrate, at least one piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer made of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition and at least one pair of electrodes electrically connected to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer, characterized in that the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer is made of a piezoelectric/electrostrictive ceramic composition containing a PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3—PbZrO3—PbTiO3 system composition wherein part of Pb is substituted with at least one kind selected from Sr and La, as a major component and Ce in an amount of 0.01 to 0.50% by mass in terms of CeO2 and that the piezoelectric/electrostrictive layer is solidly attached to the substrate directly or via part of the electrodes.