Abstract: An apparatus for driving fasteners includes a rotatable bit having a bit tip mateable with a fastener, a vacuum source, and a rotatable sleeve having an outlet in communication with the vacuum source. The bit may be press fit within the sleeve such that the bit and the sleeve are rotatable together. Aspects of a method of rotating a fastener with a apparatus for driving fasteners, the apparatus for driving fasteners having a rotatable bit having a bit tip, and a rotatable sleeve having an outlet, wherein the bit is press fit within the sleeve such that the bit and the sleeve are rotatable together, the method including providing a vacuum to the outlet of the sleeve, engaging the bit tip and the sleeve with the head of the screw with assistance from the vacuum, and rotating the bit, thereby rotating the sleeve and the fastener.

Abstract: A storage device assembly fixture comprises a platform configured to receive an external cover for a storage device, the external cover having a first face and a second face generally parallel to and opposing the first face, the first face coupled to the second face at a back end of the external cover, the first face defining a first edge at a front end of the external cover opposite the back end, and the second face defining a second edge at the front end; a first finger configured to engage the first edge; a second finger configured to engage the second edge; and a pivot assembly coupled to the second finger, the pivot assembly rotatable about a pivot axis and configured to pivot the second finger away from the first finger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manually adjustable bracket moveable in first and second directions that is attached to a fastener mechanism for use in a fastener assembly station. An actuator moves the manually adjustable bracket and the fastener mechanism in a third direction to fasten fasteners to a work product. The manually adjustable bracket comprises: a first linear guideway configured for manual movement in the first direction and configured to be attached to the actuator; and a second linear guideway coupled to the first linear guideway and configured for manual movement in the second direction and configured to be attached to the fastener mechanism. The first and second linear guideways are configured to be manually moved to a desired location and locked such that the fastener mechanism is locked into the desired location to be moved by the actuator in the third direction for fastening fasteners to the work product.

Abstract: A fastener feeder apparatus comprising a feed rail configured to move a first and a second fastener, an actuator including a separating member adjacent the feed rail, the separating member comprising a stopper portion configured to receive the first and second fastener, a first separating portion connected to the stopper portion, the first separating portion having an angled surface configured to contact the first fastener and a top surface configured to contact the second fastener, and an aperture defined in the separating member between the stopper portion and the first separating portion, the aperture structured for receiving the first fastener.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener container to provide fasteners to a fastener feeder for use in fastener driving operations. The fastener container may comprise a fastener housing and a rotating fastener mechanism. The fastener housing may include a plurality of fastener chambers, wherein each of the fastener chambers is configured to hold a plurality of fasteners. The rotating fastener mechanism may be located within the fastener housing and may include a plurality of bins. Each bin may be configured to receive fasteners from an adjacent fastener chamber of the fastener housing. The rotating fastener mechanism may be rotatable, such that, when a rotation occurs, a first bin drops fasteners to the fastener feeder and a second bin receives fasteners from an adjacent fastener chamber of the fastener housing.

Abstract: An end effector configured to pick up an item may comprise a vacuum port through which a vacuum is selectively drawn, a first vacuum pathway in communication with the vacuum port and defining a first open bore, a pin pathway and a pin disposed within the pin pathway and configured for constrained movement therein. The pin may be further configured to protrude from the end effector body, to contact the item and to move within the pin pathway until the item contacts the first open bore and is retained by the end effector by the force of the vacuum. Turning off the vacuum may cause residual vacuum in the first vacuum pathway to retain the item for a period of time and/or until the pin drops under its own weight within the pin pathway to contact and separate the item from the end effector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a screw feeding apparatus to deliver a screw from a screw feeder having a vibrating rail to a screw guide tube. The screw feeding apparatus comprises a first actuator having a pocket and a second actuator having a screw pickup. The first actuator is moveable between a detection position and a retracted position, wherein the first actuator is configured to detect a screw in the pocket received from the vibrating rail of the screw feeder in the detection position and to then move to the retracted position. The second actuator is moveable between a pickup position and a drop position, wherein the screw pickup of the second actuator is configured to pick up the screw from the pocket of the first actuator in the pickup position and to move to the drop position to drop the screw into the screw guide tube.

Abstract: A storage device assembly fixture comprises a platform configured to receive an external cover for a storage device, the external cover having a first face and a second face generally parallel to and opposing the first face, the first face coupled to the second face at a back end of the external cover, the first face defining a first edge at a front end of the external cover opposite the back end, and the second face defining a second edge at the front end; a first finger configured to engage the first edge; a second finger configured to engage the second edge; and a pivot assembly coupled to the second finger, the pivot assembly rotatable about a pivot axis and configured to pivot the second finger away from the first finger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vacuum pick-up end effecter to pick and place a component in a manufacturing process. The vacuum pick-up end effecter may comprise: a vacuum path to provide a vacuum flow to pick-up the component; and a pin moveably mounted within the vacuum pick-up end effecter. When the component is picked-up by the vacuum flow, the pin abuts against the component and is moved to a first position and, when the vacuum flow is cut-off to place the component, the pin moves to a second position and pushes against the component to aid in releasing the component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an alignment system comprising: an upper reflector to couple to an end effecter and a camera kit to couple to a fixture. The camera kit includes: a plurality of light sources; a camera; and a lower reflector including a camera opening and a plurality of light source openings. The lower reflector may be approximately parallel to the fixture. The camera may be positioned beneath the camera opening and may capture light images reflected from both the lower reflector and the upper reflector from the plurality of light sources. An image processor is coupled to the camera, wherein image data associated with the captured light images is transmitted from the camera to the image processor. The image processor is used to determine an adjustment value based upon the image data to tilt the end effecter such that the end effecter is moved to be approximately parallel to the fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fastener container to provide fasteners to a fastener feeder for use in fastener driving operations. The fastener container may comprise a fastener housing and a rotating fastener mechanism. The fastener housing may include a plurality of fastener chambers, wherein each of the fastener chambers is configured to hold a plurality of fasteners. The rotating fastener mechanism may be located within the fastener housing and may include a plurality of bins. Each bin may be configured to receive fasteners from an adjacent fastener chamber of the fastener housing. The rotating fastener mechanism may be rotatable, such that, when a rotation occurs, a first bin drops fasteners to the fastener feeder and a second bin receives fasteners from an adjacent fastener chamber of the fastener housing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive is disclosed. After installing at least one disk into a base, a media cover is coupled to the base, wherein the media cover covers at least a portion of the disk. After coupling the media cover to the base, a head coupled to an actuator arm and a voice coil motor for rotating the actuator arm about a pivot is installed into the base. After installing into the base the head coupled to the actuator arm and the voice coil motor, the media cover is removed from the base. After removing the media cover from the base, a HDA cover is coupled to the base to form a head disk assembly (HDA).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a disk drive is disclosed. After installing at least one disk into a base, a media cover is coupled to the base, wherein the media cover covers at least a portion of the disk. After coupling the media cover to the base, a head coupled to an actuator arm and a voice coil motor for rotating the actuator arm about a pivot is installed into the base. After installing into the base the head coupled to the actuator arm and the voice coil motor, the media cover is removed from the base. After removing the media cover from the base, a HDA cover is coupled to the base to form a head disk assembly (HDA).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a disk drive. At least one disk is installed into a base, and a media cover is coupled to the base, wherein the media cover covers at least a portion of the disk. After installing the media cover, a head coupled to an actuator arm and a voice coil motor for rotating the actuator arm about a pivot are installed into the base. The media cover is then removed and an HDA cover is coupled to the base to form a head disk assembly (HDA). In one embodiment, the base comprises an aperture, and coupling the media cover to the base comprises inserting a pin into the aperture. In one embodiment, the aperture is also for coupling a printed circuit board to the base after removing the media cover.