Abstract: A base for a data storage system is provided having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface. The base includes a motor well. Formed with inner surface of facing surface of the base includes a medium region, an actuator region and a dam. The medium region is defined by a medium region planar surface surrounding a portion of the motor well, a leading surface and a trailing surface. The actuator region is defined by an actuator region planar surface that is recessed from the medium region planar surface, the leading surface, the trailing surface and a remaining portion of the motor well. The dam has a dam planar surface that surrounds the remaining portion of the motor well and is positioned on the actuator region planar surface between the leading surface and the trailing surface.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided having a ramp for unloading a transducing head from a storage medium. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on a storage medium. The actuator arm has a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head. The actuator assembly also includes an inclined surface located adjacent the base end. The inclined surface is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the transducing head away from the storage medium.

Abstract: A base for a data storage system is provided having an inner facing surface and an outer facing surface. The base includes a motor well. Formed with inner surface of facing surface of the base includes a medium region, an actuator region and a dam. The medium region is defined by a medium region planar surface surrounding a portion of the motor well, a leading surface and a trailing surface. The actuator region is defined by an actuator region planar surface that is recessed from the medium region planar surface, the leading surface, the trailing surface and a remaining portion of the motor well. The dam has a dam planar surface that surrounds the remaining portion of the motor well and is positioned on the actuator region planar surface between the leading surface and the trailing surface.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided having a ramp for unloading a transducing head from a storage medium. The actuator assembly includes an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot point and configured to access data on a storage medium. The actuator arm has a base end coupled to a lift tab and a distal end coupled to a transducing head. The actuator assembly also includes an inclined surface located adjacent the base end. The inclined surface is configured to engage with the lift tab to guide the transducing head away from the storage medium.

Abstract: A novel self-securing sealing gasket for a disk drive assembly housing ensures predictable securement of the sealing gasket to a mounting surface. Elastomeric material is preferably molded to a rigid frame. The elastomeric material defines the sealing member of the gasket, while the frame provides structural rigidity and concomitant ease of handling during assembly and disassembly of the disk drive assembly housing. A plurality of recesses are provided along the periphery of the frame for mechanically coupling with the sealing member. The compliant sealing member includes a first sealing surface having a convex profile. A plurality of vacuum cavities are integrally incorporated along a second sealing surface of the sealing member for providing vacuum coupling between the second sealing surface and the mounting surface of the base of a disk drive assembly housing.