Abstract: Described are enclosures that include a friction stir weld, including electronic device enclosures, and precursors thereof that contain a metal base that includes a recess and a metal cover that in an assembled condition form a joint at which a friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a friction stir weld at a joint of such an assembly; the base includes at least one bow wave reduction feature.

Abstract: Clamping devices and associated methods that are useful to develop both axial and circumferential clamping forces in response to a common axial clamping force. The clamp is able to use a simple mechanism to generate both kinds of clamping forces from a single, axial actuating force. The clamping devices of the present invention are particularly useful for clamping cover and base deck components of a hard disk drive enclosure together to allow the components to be joined and sealed together using welding techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to join at least first and second metallic components in which a pre-treatment is applied to one or more region(s) of at least one of the components to be welded together before welding takes place. The pre-treatment involves contacting at least a region of the first metallic component with a rotating and translating tool such that the rotating and translating contact locally heats, softens, and mixes successive portions of at least the region of the first metallic component. The first and second metallic components are placed together such that a joint is provided between at least the pre-treated region of the first metallic component and the second metallic component. At least the pre-treated region of the first metallic component is welded to the second metallic component along at least a portion of the joint.

Abstract: Described are methods for forming a friction stir weld between a steel piece and an aluminum piece, with specific examples of the steel piece and the aluminum piece being a cover and a base of an enclosure.

Abstract: A method for making a hard disk drive is disclosed. The method includes forming a base deck comprising an aluminum alloy via vacuum casting. The method further includes subjecting the base deck to hot isostatic pressing. The method further includes welding a cover to the base deck.

Abstract: Described are enclosures that include a friction stir weld, including electronic device enclosures, and precursors thereof, that contain a base and a cover that in an assembled condition form a joint at which a friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a friction stir weld at a joint of such an assembly.

Abstract: Described are enclosures that include a friction stir weld, including electronic device enclosures, and precursors thereof, that contain a base and a cover that in an assembled condition form a joint at which a friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a friction stir weld at a joint of such an assembly.

Abstract: Described are deburring tools useful for deburring a friction stir weld, methods of forming a friction stir weld combined with a deburring step, and assemblies such as electronic device enclosures that include a deburred friction stir weld.

Abstract: Described are devices and assemblies (e.g., precursors to a devices) that include a friction stir weld or a joint useful for forming a friction stir weld, the devices containing two metal components that form the joint at which the friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a devices, assembly, joints, or friction stir weld as described.

Abstract: Described are enclosures that include a friction stir weld, including electronic device enclosures, and precursors thereof, that contain a base and a cover that in an assembled condition form a joint at which a friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a friction stir weld at a joint of such an assembly.

Abstract: Described are tools useful to produce a friction stir weld, methods of forming a friction stir weld, and assemblies such as electronic devices that include a friction stir weld.

Abstract: Described are enclosures that include a friction stir weld, including electronic device enclosures, and precursors thereof, that contain a base and a cover that in an assembled condition form a joint at which a friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a friction stir weld at a joint of such an assembly.

Abstract: Described are devices and assemblies (e.g., precursors to a devices) that include a friction stir weld or a joint useful for forming a friction stir weld, the devices containing two metal components that form the joint at which the friction stir weld can be produced, as well as methods for producing a devices, assembly, joints, or friction stir weld as described.

Abstract: Described are tools useful to produce a friction stir weld, methods of forming a friction stir weld, and assemblies such as electronic devices that include a friction stir weld.

Abstract: A hard drive includes a base deck and process cover that define a cavity for housing data storage components. The hard drive further includes a final cover that is placed over the process cover and is coupled to the base deck. The final cover and process cover are directly coupled to each other.

Abstract: A hard drive includes a base deck and process cover that define a cavity for housing data storage components. The hard drive further includes a final cover that is placed over the process cover and is coupled to the base deck. The final cover and process cover are directly coupled to each other.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a disc drive apparatus. A base deck and a cover are joined to one another by a friction-stir weld along a lip of the cover that extends along a periphery of the cover and over a surface of the base deck. The base deck and cover enclose a cavity, which is hermetically sealed by the weld.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a disc drive apparatus. A base deck and a cover are joined to one another by a friction-stir weld along a lip of the cover that extends along a periphery of the cover and over a surface of the base deck. The base deck and cover enclose a cavity, which is hermetically sealed by the weld.

Abstract: An actuator and method of using an actuator that operably supports a component of a data transfer assembly. The actuator has a body and an arm extending longitudinally from the body. The arm has a tapered portion defined by laterally converging opposing surfaces from a proximal end of the arm adjacent the body and terminating at a medial longitudinal position of the arm. The arm further has a tip portion extending contiguously from the medial longitudinal position of the arm to a distal end of the arm. The tip portion has laterally opposing protuberant arcuate lobes that cooperatively define a maximum lateral width of the tip portion. In some embodiments the arm has a surface defining an aperture sized for operably swaging a head gimbal assembly (HGA) to the arm. A lateral apex of at least one of the lobes is intersected by a lateral axis that intersects the aperture.

Abstract: An actuator and method of using an actuator that operably supports a component of a data transfer assembly. The actuator has a body and an arm extending longitudinally from the body. The arm has a tapered portion defined by laterally converging opposing surfaces from a proximal end of the arm adjacent the body and terminating at a medial longitudinal position of the arm. The arm further has a tip portion extending contiguously from the medial longitudinal position of the arm to a distal end of the arm. The tip portion has laterally opposing protuberant arcuate lobes that cooperatively define a maximum lateral width of the tip portion. In some embodiments the arm has a surface defining an aperture sized for operably swaging a head gimbal assembly (HGA) to the arm. A lateral apex of at least one of the lobes is intersected by a lateral axis that intersects the aperture.