Abstract: An apparatus includes a beam splitter and a plurality of mirrors. The beam splitter is positioned to receive a laser beam from a source and split the received laser beam to a first plurality of split laser beams and a second plurality of split laser beams. The plurality of mirrors is configured to direct the first plurality of split laser beams and further configured to direct the second plurality of split laser beams. The first plurality of split laser beams is directed by the plurality of mirrors is configured to cut a glass substrate. The second plurality of split laser beams is directed by the plurality of mirrors is configured to shape the glass substrate.

Abstract: A method includes projecting energy onto an annular edge of a glass substrate. The annular edge includes a first roughness. The first roughness is reduced to a second roughness with the energy. The energy reduces the first roughness without changing a roundness of the annular edge of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus that includes a first and second laser source. The first and second laser sources are each operable to cut a substrate and are each independently movable with respect to one another. Further, the first and second laser sources are included within a multitude of laser sources that are arranged in a circular array.

Abstract: A method includes projecting energy onto an annular edge of a glass substrate. The annular edge includes a first roughness. The first roughness is reduced to a second roughness with the energy. The energy reduces the first roughness without changing a roundness of the annular edge of the glass substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a beam splitter and a plurality of mirrors. The beam splitter is positioned to receive a laser beam from a source and split the received laser beam to a first plurality of split laser beams and a second plurality of split laser beams. The plurality of mirrors is configured to direct the first plurality of split laser beams and further configured to direct the second plurality of split laser beams. The first plurality of split laser beams is directed by the plurality of mirrors is configured to cut a glass substrate. The second plurality of split laser beams is directed by the plurality of mirrors is configured to shape the glass substrate.

Abstract: A method includes projecting a first energy beam onto an annular edge of a glass substrate. A first portion of the annular edge of the glass substrate is removed with the first energy beam. Removing the first portion increases the roundness of the annular edge of the glass substrate. A second energy beam is projected onto the annular edge of the glass substrate. A second portion of the annular edge of the glass substrate is removed with the second energy beam. Removing the second portion increases the roundness of the annular edge of the glass substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for magnetic recording media. A rotatable magnetic recording disc has an outermost annular sidewall that extends at nominally 97 millimeters, mm for a 3-½ inch form factor data storage device or at nominally 67 mm for a 2-½ inch form factor data storage device. The rotatable magnetic recording disc further has a disc shaped substrate of metal or glass, and a magnetic recording layer supported by the disc shaped substrate and configured to magnetically record data along concentric tracks.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for magnetic recording media. A rotatable magnetic recording disc has an outermost annular sidewall that extends at nominally 97 millimeters, mm for a 3½ inch form factor data storage device or at nominally 67 mm for a 2½ inch form factor data storage device. The rotatable magnetic recording disc further has a disc shaped substrate of metal or glass, and a magnetic recording layer supported by the disc shaped substrate and configured to magnetically record data along concentric tracks.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate configuration for magnetic recording media. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a disc shaped member of metal or glass configured as a substrate for a magnetic data recording disc for a 2½ inch form factor data storage device or a 3½ inch form factor data storage device. The disc shaped member has a top planar surface, an opposing bottom planar surface, an outermost annular sidewall that extends between the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface at an outermost diameter of nominally 67 or 97 millimeters, respectively, and an inner annular sidewall that extends between the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface to define a central aperture.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate configuration for magnetic recording media. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a disc shaped member of metal or glass configured as a substrate for a magnetic data recording disc for a 2½ inch form factor data storage device or a 3½ inch form factor data storage device. The disc shaped member has a top planar surface, an opposing bottom planar surface, an outermost annular sidewall that extends between the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface at an outermost diameter of nominally 67 or 97 millimeters, respectively, and an inner annular sidewall that extends between the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface to define a central aperture.

Abstract: A data storage device having a housing member for a selected one of a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive (HDD) or a 2½ inch form factor HDD. A spindle motor coupled to the housing member supports a rotatable data recording disc with a plurality of data tracks and an outermost perimeter. The outermost perimeter has an average overall radius of 48.5 millimeters, mm responsive to the housing member being for a 3½ inch form factor HDD or an average overall radius of 33.5 mm responsive to the housing member being for a 2½ inch form factor HDD. The rotatable data recording disc further has an outermost data track at an average selected radius such that the difference between the average overall radius of the outermost perimeter and the average selected radius is more than 1 mm.

Abstract: A data storage device having a housing member for a selected one of a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive (HDD) or a 2½ inch form factor HDD. A spindle motor coupled to the housing member supports a rotatable data recording disc with a plurality of data tracks and an outermost perimeter. The outermost perimeter has an average overall radius of 48.5 millimeters, mm responsive to the housing member being for a 3½ inch form factor HDD or an average overall radius of 33.5 mm responsive to the housing member being for a 2½ inch form factor HDD. The rotatable data recording disc further has an outermost data track at an average selected radius such that the difference between the average overall radius of the outermost perimeter and the average selected radius is more than 1 mm.

Abstract: A material handling apparatus adapted to support a plurality of disc-shaped platters, such as but not limited to a cassette assembly adapted to support data recording media or substrates during manufacturing. In some embodiments, a cassette assembly includes a base cassette with a base and opposing sidewalls configured to support an outermost perimeter of each of a first plurality of disc-shaped platters having a first diameter. An insert contactingly engages the base cassette. The insert has a plurality of spaced apart grooves to contactingly support an outermost perimeter of each of a second plurality of disc-shaped platters having a different, second diameter.

Abstract: A hard disc drive (HDD) with an enlarged magnetic recording disc. In some embodiments, a base deck and top cover are arranged to provide an HDD housing with a 2½ inch form factor or a 3½ inch form factor. A magnetic recording disc is supported for rotation within the housing. A data transducer is controllably advanced across a recording surface of the magnetic recording disc to write data to the recording surface, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) affixed to an external surface of the base deck incorporates control electronics to provide write signals to the data transducer during the writing of data to the recording surface. The disc has an outer diameter of at least 67 millimeters, mm for the 2½ inch form factor housing and has an outer diameter of at least 97 mm for the 3½ inch form factor housing.

Abstract: A hard disc drive (HDD) with an enlarged magnetic recording disc. In some embodiments, a base deck and top cover are arranged to provide an HDD housing with a 2½ inch form factor or a 3½ inch form factor. A magnetic recording disc is supported for rotation within the housing. A data transducer is controllably advanced across a recording surface of the magnetic recording disc to write data to the recording surface, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) affixed to an external surface of the base deck incorporates control electronics to provide write signals to the data transducer during the writing of data to the recording surface. The disc has an outer diameter of at least 67 millimeters, mm for the 2½ inch form factor housing and has an outer diameter of at least 97 mm for the 3½ inch form factor housing.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, a data storage device has a housing member for a 3½ inch form factor storage device or a 2½ inch form factor storage device. A rotatable data recording disc is supported by the housing member. The disc has a plurality of tracks formed thereon. At least one track of the plurality of tracks has an average radius of greater than 47.5 mm for the 3½ inch form factor storage device or greater than 32.5 mm for the 2½ inch form factor storage device. A data read/write transducer is configured to be controllably advanced across a recording surface of the data recording disc and to record data to the plurality of tracks.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, a data storage device has a housing member for a 3½ inch form factor storage device or a 2½ inch form factor storage device. A rotatable data recording disc is supported by the housing member. The disc has a plurality of tracks formed thereon. At least one track of the plurality of tracks has an average radius of greater than 47.5 mm for the 3½ inch form factor storage device or greater than 32.5 mm for the 2½ inch form factor storage device. A data read/write transducer is configured to be controllably advanced across a recording surface of the data recording disc and to record data to the plurality of tracks.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 96.9 mm to 100.4 mm. In other embodiments, an apparatus comprises a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 2½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 66.9 mm to 71.8 mm. In other embodiments, a data storage device has a magnetic recording medium that uses an enlarged substrate as set forth above.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 3- 1/2 inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 96.9 mm to 100.4 mm. In other embodiments, an apparatus comprises a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 2- 1/2 inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 66.9 mm to 71.8 mm. In other embodiments, a data storage device has a magnetic recording medium that uses an enlarged substrate as set forth above.

Abstract: An enlarged substrate for a magnetic recording medium used in a data storage device such as a hard disc drive (HDD). In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 3½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 96.9 mm to 100.4 mm. In other embodiments, an apparatus comprises a substrate for a magnetic recording disc for installation in a 2½ inch form factor hard disc drive, the substrate having an overall diameter of nominally from 66.9 mm to 71.8 mm. In other embodiments, a data storage device has a magnetic recording medium that uses an enlarged substrate as set forth above.