Abstract: A contact type or active latch mechanism for a disk drive has at least one contacting surface coated with a soft metal. The soft metal coating helps to prevent particle generation which might otherwise occur because of repeated contact by contacting surfaces of the latch mechanism. The soft metal is applied at a thickness which enables the coating to yield and flow under the contact loads experienced. Thus, the coating compensates for the plastic stress region of the latching mechanism which must plastically deform in response to contact. The soft metal coating also provides lubrication and eliminates the need to apply a separate application of lubrication between contacting surfaces of the latch mechanism.

Abstract: The carriage guides for head disk actuator assemblies of the present invention include bearings and guide rails which reduce the problems associated with the wear between the bearings and rails. The bearings and guide rails of the present invention have nitrided outer contact surfaces with improved wear characteristics while the inner surfaces are not affected. Further, the bearings have radiused outer edges to reduce the point contact caused by misalignment between the bearings and the rails. The apparatus of the present invention is manufactured using an electro-polishing process to remove the amounts of embedded non-metallic surface contaminants present on the outside surface of the bearings.