Abstract: An apparatus for workpiece assembly is disclosed. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus includes a carousel which rotates between a plurality of assembly stations for assembly. Workpieces are loaded onto or unloaded from the carousel at a load/unload station and the carousel rotates to position workpieces proximate to the plurality of assembly stations. As illustrated workpieces are loaded into a plurality of assembly nests on the carousel. The plurality of assembly nests include alignment fingers rotatable with the plurality of assembly nests or carousel to align components, for example to align discs of a hydrodynamic spindle assembly for merge operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and merging a head stack assembly with a disc stack of a data storage device. The head stack assembly comprises a cantilevered flexure which supports a transducer at a distal end thereof. A carrier includes a carrier support surface arranged to contactingly support the distal end of the flexure. A merge tool is adapted to merge the transducer with a recording surface of the disc stack. The merge tool includes a merge support surface arranged to contactingly support a medial portion of the flexure while the carrier support surface is disposed between the merge support surface and the transducer. The transducer is merged by aligning the merge support surface with the medial portion of the flexure, and using the merge support surface to displace the distal end of the flexure from the carrier support surface and advance the transducer to a final position.

Abstract: In a magnetic head carrying device a method and apparatus for removing a magnetic head carrying arm from a support arm wherein ball stake mounting is used to affix the magnetic head carrying arm to the support arm. Tool receiving holes are provided in the magnetic head carrying arm, in a mounting plate, and in the support arm. Raised portions of a first tool may be inserted into the tool receiving holes of the magnetic head carrying arm and of the mounting plate. Raised portions of a second tool may be inserted into the tool receiving hole of the support arm. As the first and second tools are forced together, the ball stake mount is disassembled.

Abstract: In a magnetic head carrying device a method and apparatus for removing a magnetic head carrying arm from a support arm wherein ball stake mounting is used to affix the magnetic head carrying arm to the support arm. Tool receiving holes are provided in the magnetic head carrying arm, in a mounting plate, and in the support arm. Raised portions of a first tool may be inserted into the tool receiving holes of the magnetic head carrying arm and of the mounting plate. Raised portions of a second tool may be inserted into the tool receiving hole of the support arm. As the first and second tools are forced together, the ball stake mount is disassembled.

Abstract: In a magnetic head carrying device a method and apparatus for removing a magnetic head carrying arm from a support arm wherein ball stake mounting is used to affix the magnetic head carrying arm to the support arm. Tool receiving holes are provided in the magnetic head carrying arm, in a mounting plate, and in the support arm. Raised portions of a first tool may be inserted into the tool receiving holes of the magnetic head carrying arm and of the mounting plate. Raised portions of a second tool may be inserted into the tool receiving hole of the support arm. As the first and second tools are forced together, the ball stake mount is disassembled.