Abstract: A head stack assembly installation system with a frame supporting a head stack installation tool including a robotic assembly supporting a measurement assembly communicating with a computer hosting an installation software program. The robotic assembly picks and places the head stack assembly into the head disc assembly and the measurement assembly collects and communicates process positions and force parameters to the computer, the computer calculating distance and force data. The installation software program directs and controls enactment of process steps followed by the head stack installation tool to install or abort installation of the head stack assembly based on the position and force data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer directed head stack assembly installation system with an installation software stored on recordable media directing the controlling a sequence of head stack installation assembly steps executed by a robotic assembly to pick and place a head stack assembly into a basedeck. The installation software program monitors compliance of the placement operation regarding mechanical resistance encountered by the head stack assembly engaging the basedeck compared to a dynamic force threshold F determined by the equation [F=(f(p)+/?x)] and against the dynamic slope V determined by the equation [V=V=(fn?fn?1)/(pn?pn?1). Upon successful installation of the head stack assembly into the basedeck forming the head disc assembly, the head disc assembly is released from the head stack assembly installation station.

Abstract: Method for controlling installation of a head stack assembly in a disc drive. The head stack assembly is aligned in a head stack installation tool. A base deck assembly is advanced to the head stack installation tool, the base deck assembly having a post supporting a tolerance ring. A robotic assembly is dispatched to pick and press the head stack assembly onto the tolerance ring and post while mechanical resistance and distance traveled parameters by the head stack assembly are measured. The installation is aborted or completed in relation to the mechanical resistance encountered and the distance traveled, thus allowing use of minimum and maximum force thresholds with respect to insertion distance and assuring correct installation of the head stack assembly.

Abstract: A disc presentation apparatus executing a method of presenting the disc by using a caddy gripper is disclosed. The disc presentation apparatus includes; a frame supporting an in-feed conveyor advancing a disc caddy with a disc, a caddy escapement securing the disc caddy from the in-feed conveyor and transporting the disc caddy to a caddy feed. The caddy feed includes the caddy gripper secured to a feed elevator, which indexes the disc to a predetermined substantially fixed location and transfers the disc caddy to an out-feed conveyor. The caddy gripper extracts the disc caddy from the caddy escapement and includes; a gripper slide assembly advancing a gripper plate into mating contact with the disc caddy, a caddy locating assembly aligning the disc caddy relative to the gripper plate, and an active jaw assembly engaging a first side of the disc caddy thereby gripping the disc caddy adjacent the gripper plate.

Abstract: A top cover installation station with a feeder assembly and a robotic assembly for installing a top cover with top cover fasteners on a basedeck of a disc drive. The feeder assembly supports top cover wireframe caddies, each caddy containing top covers. A dial assembly transports each caddy into alignment with an elevator assembly that aligns the top cover with an escapement assembly that removes the top cover from the caddy. The robotic assembly has a positioning assembly supporting a pair of Z-axis end effector assemblies, the positioning assembly transporting the pair of effector assemblies to predetermined positions. A first end effector assembly picks and places the top cover adjacent the basedeck and a second end effector assembly grips and secures the top cover onto the basedeck via the top cover fasteners.

Abstract: A top cover installation station with a feeder assembly and a robotic assembly for installing a top cover with top cover fasteners on a basedeck of a disc drive. The feeder assembly supports top cover wireframe caddies, each caddy containing top covers. A dial assembly transports each caddy into alignment with an elevator assembly that aligns the top cover with an escapement assembly that removes the top cover from the caddy. The robotic assembly has a positioning assembly supporting a pair of Z-axis end effector assemblies, the positioning assembly transporting the pair of effector assemblies to predetermined positions. A first end effector assembly picks and places the top cover adjacent the basedeck and a second end effector assembly grips and secures the top cover onto the basedeck via the top cover fasteners.

Abstract: An automated clampring installation station for assembling a disc drive having a hardware dispensing assembly, a presentment assembly, and a positioning and attachment assembly having a transport and affixing assembly and a feature detection assembly. The hardware dispensing assembly stages hardware for pick-up by the positioning and attachment assembly. The component parts presentment places a clampring for pick-up by the positioning and attachment assembly. The feature detection assembly provides orientation information to the components transport and affixing assembly to compensate for orientation of the hardware to the clampring and the subsequent alignment of the hardware and the clampring to the disc drive, and thereafter driving the hardware through apertures in the clampring and in the disc drive to attach the clampring to the disc drive.

Abstract: A head stack assembly installation system with a frame supporting a head stack installation tool including a robotic assembly supporting a measurement assembly communicating with a computer hosting an installation software program. The robotic assembly picks and places the head stack assembly into the head disc assembly and the measurement assembly collects and communicates process positions and force parameters to the computer, the computer calculating distance and force data. The installation software program directs and controls enactment of process steps followed by the head stack installation tool to install or abort installation of the head stack assembly based on the position and force data.

Abstract: A top cover installation station with a feeder assembly and a robotic assembly for installing a top cover with top cover fasteners on a basedeck of a disc drive. The feeder assembly supports top cover wireframe caddies, each caddy containing top covers. A dial assembly transports each caddy into alignment with an elevator assembly that aligns the top cover with an escapement assembly that removes the top cover from the caddy. The robotic assembly has a positioning assembly supporting a pair of Z-axis end effector assemblies, the positioning assembly transporting the pair of effector assemblies to predetermined positions. A first end effector assembly picks and places the top cover adjacent the basedeck and a second end effector assembly grips and secures the top cover onto the basedeck via the top cover fasteners.

Abstract: Apparatus is illustrated for delaying in increments of infinitesimally small electrical angles the data bits in a data stream using an addressable elastic buffer which is addressed by a phase lock loop used to compare the output data with a reference. The comparison can be as a result of a frame detection puslse or any other suitable characteristic of the data being delayed.

Abstract: A phase lock loop is illustrated which includes clamp means for controlling the rate of change of the output phase to no more than a preselected value. This feature has been found to be beneficial in certain applications such as temporary restraint of the dynamics of a phase lock loop of a data alignment unit of a communications system where downstream equipment cannot tolerate more than a predetermined phase change per unit time without losing synchronization.

Abstract: An encoding scheme for simplifying frame acquisition and access to an auxiliary channel information bit stream and apparatus for implementing same. A pair of incoming data channels are multiplexed onto three communicating data channels wherein one of the channels contains overhead bits and high speed data bits, a second channel contains auxiliary channel bits and high speed data bits and a third channel contains only high speed data bits. With this format, the operational frequency of the frame acquisition circuit is reduced compared to multiplexing to a single channel and the channel containing only high speed data can be used directly for bit error rate (BER) measurements.