Abstract: A vibration damping system is provided for damping vibrations in an apparatus (1). The damping system is particularly useful in a servowriter (1). The damping system has resilient means (7) for supporting at least the majority of the weight of the apparatus (1). The resilient means (7) has a first spring rate. The damping system has damping means (8) for damping vibrations of the apparatus (1). The damping means (8) has an effective second spring rate. The ratio of the first spring rate to the effective second spring rate is r:1 where r<1.

Abstract: A bay for receiving an electrical device such as a disc drive is designed for easy insertion and ejection of the drive. The bay, a sliding carriage bearing a forwardly facing ejection member having a forwardly facing ejection pin for passing on the rear of the electrical device, and a lever operated insertion and removal mechanism for the insertion and later removal of said electrical device, including a pivoted lever having a manually engageable handle, a roller carried by the lever for engagement with the forward face of the electrical device, and a quadrant gear coupled to a rack on the sliding carriage, whereby said lever is pivotable to drive the sliding carriage backwards and forwards in the bay by the action of the quandrant gear and rack to carry the elecrical device into and out of the bay.

Abstract: A tool (20) is provided for mounting in and testing a fixture (12) used for mounting a device, such as a disk drive, having an arm which is movable to selected locations by an actuator. The tool has a movable member (25) which is movable to mimic movement of an arm of such a device mounted in the fixture (12). Movement of the tool (20) in the fixture (12) as a reaction to movement of the movable member (25) is measured and compared with a standard to enable the fixture to be passed or failed.

Abstract: A mounting for a disk file comprises a carrier defining a space into which the disk file can be removably inserted for operational use. The carrier has a base and two opposed sides and, and first and second wedges and which are movable to act between the main body of the disk file and the side of the carrier, to secure the disk file against movement relative to the carrier. The wedges include wedges which are movable in a vertical direction by a control linkage operated automatically when the disk file is inserted into the carrier structure.