Abstract: An actuation assembly (100) used with a removable hard disk drive system. The assembly uses various mechanisms interconnected to cooperate in the manner which permits manipulation of various mechanical members of an external drive system (10). The disk drive has a housing (10) with a receptacle (150) which removably receives a cartridge (60). The housing further has a cover (12) formed of a cover material and a front loading access panel (14) disposed over the receptacle. The actuation assembly (100) has at least one hub assembly (110) and a mechanical member (120) comprising an alloy material which contracts to produce a force which actuates pivotal movement of the hub assembly around an axis of rotation.