Abstract: A facility for depositing lubricant coatings on hard magnetic disks includes load and unload vacuum locks in which cassettes carrying hard magnetic disks to be coated with a lubricant coating are turned 90°. Lubricant coatings are simultaneously deposited on a plurality of hard magnetic disks in a process module. Plural cassettes carrying the hard magnetic disks are simultaneously located in the load and unload vacuum locks. Plural cassettes carrying the hard magnetic disks are simultaneously located in a buffer zone between a load vacuum lock and the module for depositing the lubricant coatings.

Abstract: Lubricant coatings are applied as lubricant vapor to magnetic disks in a lubricant vapor flow path between the disks and a reservoir for liquid lubricant that is heated to the vapor. The flow path includes a vapor chamber between the reservoir and an apertured diffuser. Plural piezoelectric crystals selectively, at different times, monitor the flow rate of lubricant vapor flowing in the vapor chamber, a result achieved by selectively positioning a shutter that is selectively opened and closed between the vapor flowing in the vapor chamber and the crystals. Temperature variations of the crystals are compensated by a feedback arrangement for maintaining the crystal temperature constant.

Abstract: Lubricant coatings are applied as lubricant vapor to magnetic disks in a lubricant vapor flow path between the disks and a reservoir for liquid lubricant that is heated to the vapor. The flow path includes a vapor chamber between the reservoir, an apertured diffuser and a shutter for selectively and simultaneously unblocking and blocking the flow path. While the shutter is closed lubricant vapor stays in the vapor chamber. While the shutter is open the lubricant vapor flows via the flow path from the reservoir to the holder. During substantial lulls in applying disks to the flow path, the shutter is closed and vaporizing heat is applied to the liquid lubricant so pressure in the vapor chamber causes the volume of liquid in the reservoir to remain substantially constant.

Abstract: Condensation is prevented on surfaces in a flow path for lubricant vapor that applies lubricant coatings to magnetic disks in the flow path. The vapor is derived by heating liquid in a reservoir. The flow path includes a vapor chamber between the reservoir and an apertured diffuser. The vapor chamber has a first wall extending in the same direction as a straight-line path between the reservoir and the disk and a second wall providing a heat conduction path between the heater and the reservoir. The relative temperatures of the first and second walls is controlled to prevent substantial condensation on surfaces of the flow path.