Abstract: Additive manufacturing systems with standoff distance monitoring and control, which can be responsive, dynamic, and in real-time. These technologies can use a standoff distance measurement system to real-time monitor, read, or interrogate a workpiece or a substrate on which the workpiece is positioned, as the workpiece is moved past a directed energy source, or vice versa. These technologies can use a feedback controller to responsively and dynamically control the standoff distance in real-time based on data from the standoff distance measurement system.

Abstract: To alleviate excessive non-repeatable runout (NRRO) on heads between discs, an original multi-disc design is adapted by (a) reducing the number of discs in the stack and (b) configuring the disc drive of the adapted design with a larger nominal inter-disc separation than that of the original design. In one embodiment, the larger separation is maintained by an increased number of disc spacers between each consecutive pair of the discs in the disc stack of the modified design. The result of such a design adaptation is a disc drive with better performance characteristics than would exist by the original design.

Abstract: To alleviate excessive non-repeatable runout (NRRO) on heads between discs, an original multi-disc design is adapted by (a) reducing the number of discs in the stack and (b) configuring the disc drive of the adapted design with a larger nominal inter-disc separation than that of the original design. In one embodiment, the larger separation is maintained by an increased number of disc spacers between each consecutive pair of the discs in the disc stack of the modified design. The result of such a design adaptation is a disc drive with better performance characteristics than would exist by the original design.

Abstract: An improved actuator support structure for supporting rotary actuator coils in a disc drive system. The support structure includes a support which extends from a central portion to the actuator coil so that when the coil is excited, the coil will remain in tension. The invention increases all natural frequencies of the actuator coil so that servo stability is enhanced. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure fits into a magnetic pole piece such that the actuator coil occupies a gap space between a front leg and a back leg of the magnetic pole piece.