Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for handling a flexible disk for testing. The apparatus includes guide rails for initially positioning a disk for test. The apparatus also includes a variable speed motor for rotating the disk at a preselected rotation speed. The disk is rotated by clamping the disk betwen a motor driven rotating spindle and a retractable collet. The collet passes through an aperture in the disk to center and position the disk. Testing is accomplished by a test head assembly which is moved by a voice coil actuator. Positioning of the test head assembly is controlled by a light detector and ground glass scale coupled to the actuator and to the test head assembly.

Abstract: An automatic disk testing apparatus and method for testing flexible disks is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gravity feed disk hopper and vacuum disk plate which sequentially present a series of disks for test. Each disk drops by gravity from the vacuum disk plate to a test position including a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism rotates the disk, in its disk jacket, at a predetermined rotational speed for testing. Each disk is tested and the test results are stored in memory. After testing, the disk is automatically sorted and moved to an output location based on the test results. The sorting is accomplished by dropping the tested disk into a motor driven shuttle which conveys the disk to the proper output location and drops the disk at that location.

Abstract: An automatic disk positioning apparatus and method for its use in handling of flexible disks in an automatic testing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gravity feed disk hopper and vacuum disk plate which sequentially present a series of disks for test. Each disk drops by gravity from the vacuum disk plate to a test position including a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism rotates the disk, in its disk jacket, at a predetermined rotational speed for testing. Each disk is tested and the test results are stored in memory. After testing the disk is automatically sorted and stored in an output container based on the test results. The sorting is accomplished by dropping the tested disk into a motor driven shuttle which conveys the disk to the proper output container and drops the disk into that container.

Abstract: A center fold is produced in a floppy disc envelope by partially folding a pre-cut sheet of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) having two spaced center holes. The center holes are forced over a precision pedestal affixed to a flat support surface. A first fold bar is lowered against the partially folded sheet, flattening first and second sections of the sheet on each side of a fold line against the support surface, producing a fold of controlled radius. A heat lamp is utilized to anneal the fold for a predetermined time, after which the fold bar is raised. A flap extending from the first section of the sheet is folded back against the second section of the sheet by means of an apparatus including a flat support, a precision pedestal for aligning and retaining the partially folded envelope, and a second fold bar having a lip for engaging the edge of the flap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for uniformly polishing the magnetic recording layer of a floppy disc by producing uniform relative velocities between the magnetic oxide material and the polishing medium across the floppy disc. The floppy disc is placed on a circular resilient pad disposed on a first spindle-mounted circular platen. A circular fibrous or abrasive polishing disc is disposed on a second spindle-mounted circular platen. The radius of the polishing disc is greater than the width of an annular region to be polished on the floppy disc, so that the relative velocities between points of the polishing disc and adjacent points of the floppy disc are uniform. Uniform polishing of the annular region results when the rotating polishing disc contacts the annular region of the rotating disc when the first and second platens are rotated in the same angular direction, at first and second predetermined angular velocities, respectively.

Abstract: The magnetic tape cartridge transport includes a belt capstan which is accessible through the front edge of the cartridge for receiving rotary motion from a drive roller which is coupled to an electric motor. The electric motor extends through a motor opening in the base plate of the transport. A tape drive assembly includes an attachment bracket which is secured to the motor about its center of gravity and which extends laterally therefrom. The attachment bracket includes three apertures through which three shoulder bolts extend. The three shoulder bolts are positioned in a generally triangular spaced relationship about the motor opening of the base plate and are secured to the lower portion of the base plate. A pair of pivot pins are disposed between the lower surface of the base plate and the attachment bracket to permit the attachment bracket to pivot the tape drive assembly in a plane lying perpendicular to the front edge of the cartridge.