Abstract: A flexible disk drive head access mechanism optimized for automated manufacture is disclosed. The mechanism is a complete subassembly. As such, the mechanism can be handled by a robot, as the mechanism is automatically mounted to the disk drive's main frame member. The mechanism comprises a stepping motor having a metal output pulley which is wrapped by a metal band. The middle of the band is welded to the motor's output pulley. The two free ends of the band are welded to a flexible, low-mass band tensioner. This tensioner is a thin, elongated member which includes a U-shaped portion which is operable to tension the band about the pulley. Attachment of the ends of the band to the tensioner not only tensions the band, but also operates to bend the tensioner slightly toward the pulley, thus causing the band to self-center itself in a 360.degree. wrap about the pulley. In this way, rotary to linear output from the mechanism is assured.

Abstract: A flexible disk drive is disclosed that is optimized for automated manufacture. The critical elements of the disk drive are divided into two functional groups, one of which includes the elements for loading and unloading the disk cartridge and the other of which includes the elements for reading and writing on the flexible disk within the cartridge, with the elements of each group being precisely registered with respect to one another on separate frame members. The frame members are coarsely registered with respect to one another and snapped together, after separate assembly of at least most of the elements on the separate frame members has been completed, and fine position registration of the flexible disk to the spindle is thereafter achieved during each loading operation of a flexible disk into the assembly disk drive by collet centering and clamping the disk to the spindle.