Abstract: An end connector for a jacketed cable includes a rear body having a cylindrical retention portion with an outer surface that includes a plurality of recessed annular grooves. The cylindrical crimp comprises a plurality of thicker annular regions adjacent to and separated by a plurality of thinner annular regions. Each thicker annular region of the cylindrical crimp is axially aligned with a corresponding recessed annular groove on the outer surface of the cylindrical retention portion of the rear body, and such alignment is maintained during crimping to trap strength members of the jacketed cable.

Abstract: An end connector for a jacketed cable includes a rear body having a cylindrical retention portion with an outer surface that includes a plurality of recessed annular grooves. The cylindrical crimp comprises a plurality of thicker annular regions adjacent to and separated by a plurality of thinner annular regions. Each thicker annular region of the cylindrical crimp is axially aligned with a corresponding recessed annular groove on the outer surface of the cylindrical retention portion of the rear body, and such alignment is maintained during crimping to trap strength members of the jacketed cable.

Abstract: A clip for retaining a connection adapter within a hole in a cable connection panel is disclosed. The clip includes left and right frames for engaging left and right facets of the body of the connection adapter, and a back span adjoining the left and right frames together. The clip also includes left and right wings that adjoin and angle externally away from the left and right frames, respectively. Each wing comprises a distal tab that angles back towards its respective frame and that is configured to protrude between an internal edge of the hole and a facet of the adapter body. Each wing further comprises a distal tab that angles externally away from its respective frame generally like the wing itself.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a multiple disk stack normally utilizes disk separator plates near the disk surfaces to reduce wind induced vibrations in the disks and the read/write heads. The manufacturing methods currently used to make these separator plates, metal casting and machining, or injection molded plastic, or extruding and machining, or cold forging tends to be expensive and creates unwanted weight and bulk without the desired precision. Stamping disk separator plates from metal provides exceptional dimensional control at reduced cost, but cannot readily provide the thicknesses required. Stamping and extruding the offsets, or stamping and folding the offsets, is a manufacturing process that provides the required dimensions for the offsets, and dimensional control and reduced cost.

Abstract: A hard disk drive cover with a smooth bottom (inner) surface and a textured outer surface is provided for covering a hard disk drive base assembly. A method of manufacturing the hard disk includes providing a metal material. The metal material is worked into a metal strip having a textured surface and an opposing smooth surface. A hard disk drive cover is stamped from the worked metal strip with the smooth surface being the inner surface of the stamped cover. The smooth inner surface of the hard disk drive advantageously enhances cleanliness within the base assembly. The smooth surface finish on the inner surface also advantageously enhances shear strength of a bond between a gasket and the inner surface.

Abstract: A swage mount is manufactured for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A conductive material is deposited on a predetermined part of the swage mount. A coating material is deposited on the swage mount including the predetermined part. Heat is applied to the swage mount, forming a mixture of the conductive material and the coating material. The mixture is conductive and supports a reliable connection between the swage mount and other disk drive components. Furthermore, the mixture enhances cleanliness by reducing particles shed from the swage mount. The conductive material is preferably gold, and the coating material is preferably nickel-based.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of fabricating a base plate for piezoelectric actuation, comprises providing a plate having a major surface; striking a first removable portion of the plate in a first direction substantially normal to the major surface to shear the first removable portion relative to the plate by a shear distance that is less than the plate thickness; striking the first removable portion in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to reduce the shear distance by a reduction in shear that is less than the plate thickness; and leaving the first removable portion in place rather than removing the first removable portion. In other embodiments, the removable portion may be created by lancing one or more portions spanning at least one opening through a base plate adjacent a first side of at least one opening and adjacent a second side of the at least one opening.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a multiple disk stack normally utilizes disk separator plates near the disk surfaces to reduce wind induced vibrations in the disks and the read/write heads. The manufacturing methods currently used to make these separator plates, metal casting and machining, or injection molded plastic, or extruding and machining, or cold forging tends to be expensive and creates unwanted weight and bulk without the desired precision. Stamping disk separator plates from metal provides exceptional dimensional control at reduced cost, but cannot readily provide the thicknesses required. Stamping and extruding the offsets, or stamping and folding the offsets, is a manufacturing process that provides the required dimensions for the offsets, and dimensional control and reduced cost.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a multiple disk stack normally utilizes disk separator plates near the disk surfaces to reduce wind induced vibrations in the disks and the read/write heads. The manufacturing methods currently used to make these separator plates, metal casting and machining, or injection molded plastic, or extruding and machining, or cold forging tends to be expensive and creates unwanted weight and bulk without the desired precision. Stamping disk separator plates from metal provides exceptional dimensional control at reduced cost, but cannot readily provide the thicknesses required. Stamping and extruding the offsets, or stamping and folding the offsets, is a manufacturing process that provides the required dimensions for the offsets, and dimensional control and reduced cost.

Abstract: A swage mount is manufactured for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A conductive material is deposited on a predetermined part of the swage mount. A coating material is deposited on the swage mount including the predetermined part. Heat is applied to the swage mount, forming a mixture of the conductive material and the coating material. The mixture is conductive and supports a reliable connection between the swage mount and other disk drive components. Furthermore, the mixture enhances cleanliness by reducing particles shed from the swage mount. The conductive material is preferably gold, and the coating material is preferably nickel-based.

Abstract: A hard disk drive cover with a smooth bottom (inner) surface and a textured outer surface is provided for covering a hard disk drive base assembly. A method of manufacturing the hard disk includes providing a metal material. The metal material is worked into a metal strip having a textured surface and an opposing smooth surface. A hard disk drive cover is stamped from the worked metal strip with the smooth surface being the inner surface of the stamped cover. The smooth inner surface of the hard disk drive advantageously enhances cleanliness within the base assembly. The smooth surface finish on the inner surface also advantageously enhances shear strength of a bond between a gasket and the inner surface.

Abstract: A swage mount is provided for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. The swage mount has a flange body with a thickness for providing clearance from the underlying disk. The swage mount may have a tip for in-plane movement. The tip may be ‘T’ shaped. The tip has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the flange body for withstanding out-of-plane loads and for enhancing performance of the hard disk drive, for example, during reading/writing of data using the head. Mass properties of the swage mount, the twisting/bending yield load, modal frequency responses, and other performance metrics are analyzed to design the dimensions of the swage mount having favorable in-plane compliance and superior out-of-plane robustness.

Abstract: A swage mount is provided for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. The swage mount has a flange body with a thickness for providing clearance from the underlying disk. The swage mount may have a tip for in-plane movement. The tip may be ‘T’ shaped. The tip has a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the flange body for withstanding out-of-plane loads and for enhancing performance of the hard disk drive, for example, during reading/writing of data using the head. Mass properties of the swage mount, the twisting/bending yield load, modal frequency responses, and other performance metrics are analyzed to design the dimensions of the swage mount having favorable in-plane compliance and superior out-of-plane robustness.

Abstract: A swage mount is manufactured for attaching a head suspension assembly to a head actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A conductive material is deposited on a predetermined part of the swage mount. A coating material is deposited on the swage mount including the predetermined part. Heat is applied to the swage mount, forming a mixture of the conductive material and the coating material. The mixture is conductive and supports a reliable connection between the swage mount and other disk drive components. Furthermore, the mixture enhances cleanliness by reducing particles shed from the swage mount. The conductive material is preferably gold, and the coating material is preferably nickel-based.

Abstract: A hard disk drive with a multiple disk stack normally utilizes disk separator plates near the disk surfaces to reduce wind induced vibrations in the disks and the read/write heads. The manufacturing methods currently used to make these separator plates, metal casting and machining, or injection molded plastic, or extruding and machining, or cold forging tends to be expensive and creates unwanted weight and bulk without the desired precision. Stamping disk separator plates from metal provides exceptional dimensional control at reduced cost, but cannot readily provide the thicknesses required. Stamping and extruding the offsets, or stamping and folding the offsets, is a manufacturing process that provides the required dimensions for the offsets, and dimensional control and reduced cost.

Abstract: A novel tolerance ring includes a hollow cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis that passes axially through its center. The hollow cylindrical body includes first and second longitudinal edges that define a circumferential gap. A plurality of bumps protrude radially from the hollow cylindrical body, and consists of a plurality of gap-adjacent bumps and a plurality of non-gap-adjacent bumps. At least one of the plurality of bumps is circumferentially between the gap and each of the non-gap-adjacent bumps. None of the plurality of bumps is circumferentially between the gap and each of the gap-adjacent bumps. Structure is disclosed to increase an otherwise lower average radial compressive stiffness of the gap-adjacent bumps to become more similar to an average radial stiffness of the non-gap-adjacent bumps.

Abstract: A novel tolerance ring includes a hollow cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis that passes axially through its center. A circumferential gap divides the hollow cylindrical body so that the hollow cylindrical body includes first and second longitudinal edges that define the circumferential gap. A plurality of bumps protrude radially from the hollow cylindrical body, and consists of a plurality of gap-adjacent bumps and a plurality of non-gap-adjacent bumps. At least one of the plurality of bumps is circumferentially between the gap and each of the non-gap-adjacent bumps. None of the plurality of bumps is circumferentially between the gap and each of the gap-adjacent bumps. The tolerance ring includes a means for increasing an otherwise lower average radial compressive stiffness of the gap-adjacent bumps to become substantially equal to an average radial stiffness of the non-gap-adjacent bumps.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of fabricating a base plate for piezoelectric actuation, comprises providing a plate having a major surface; striking a first removable portion of the plate in a first direction substantially normal to the major surface to shear the first removable portion relative to the plate by a shear distance that is less than the plate thickness; striking the first removable portion in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction to reduce the shear distance by a reduction in shear that is less than the plate thickness; and leaving the first removable portion in place rather than removing the first removable portion. In other embodiments, the removable portion may be created by lancing one or more portions spanning at least one opening through a base plate adjacent a first side of at least one opening and adjacent a second side of the at least one opening.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to disk drive actuators and methods of manufacturing them are disclosed and claimed. In certain embodiments, a disk drive actuator assembly comprises a pivot bearing defining a pivot bearing rotational axis; an actuator arm including a bore, the pivot bearing disposed at least partially within the bore; a first tapered shim, interposed in the bore between the pivot bearing and the actuator arm, the first tapered shim having a thickness at a first end greater than a thickness at a second end; and a second tapered shim, interposed in the bore between the pivot bearing and the actuator arm, the second tapered shim having a thickness at a third end greater than a thickness at a fourth end; wherein the second tapered shim frictionally engages the first tapered shim to hold the pivot bearing substantially in place relative to the actuator arm.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to disk drive actuators and methods of manufacturing them are disclosed and claimed. In certain embodiments, a disk drive actuator assembly comprises a pivot bearing defining a pivot bearing rotational axis; an actuator arm including a bore, the pivot bearing disposed at least partially within the bore; a first tapered shim, interposed in the bore between the pivot bearing and the actuator arm, the first tapered shim having a thickness at a first end greater than a thickness at a second end; and a second tapered shim, interposed in the bore between the pivot bearing and the actuator arm, the second tapered shim having a thickness at a third end greater than a thickness at a fourth end; wherein the second tapered shim frictionally engages the first tapered shim to hold the pivot bearing substantially in place relative to the actuator arm.