Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary drive adapted for creating liquid flow in rotatable microfluidic discs. A rotary drive for spinning a disc shaped substrate having microfluidic structures formed therein for the flow control of microliter and/or nanoliter volumes of liquid by centrifugal force is suggested, comprising a motor with a spindle having an axis of rotation. A rotary member is connected for rotation with the spindle and driven for rotation relative to a stationary member, the rotary member being formed with a top plane having a centering guide for receiving the disc so as to force a symmetry axis of the disc into alignment with said axis of rotation. A vacuum source is connected with the stationary member and communicating with the rotary member or a part thereof rotating with the rotary member for applying sub-pressure to the disc when spinning the disc about its symmetry axis. Preferably, the rotary member is journalled for contact-free rotation relative to the stationary member.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing a data storage disk to the hub of a spindle motor in a disk drive prevents the migration of lubricant into sensitive areas of the disk drive. The problem of lubrication migration due to the use and presence of fastener lubricant is resolved by using a rib on a composite disk clamp. The rib strengthens the clamp structure and has a sealing ring. The ring has a semi-circular sectional profile with a flat surface that is used to bond the ring to the rib. The ring has elastic properties that compensate for hub vibration to isolate the disk clamp from the hub, and also provides damping between the hub and the disk clamp.

Abstract: A disk clamp of a hard disk drive installs a disk firmly for storing data using a spindle motor of the hard disk drive. The disk clamp includes a vertical pressing portion, formed along an edge portion of the disk, for pressing an upper surface of the disk in a vertical direction, a plurality of horizontal pressing portions, formed inside the vertical pressing portion to protrude downward and be inserted between an outer circumference of the spindle motor and an inner circumference of the disk, to press an inner circumferential surface of the disk outwardly, and a plurality of screw coupling holes formed inside the horizontal pressing portion, through which screws are inserted to be coupled to an upper end portion of the spindle motor. The horizontal pressing portions are formed in at least three positions in a circumferential direction at regular intervals or at four positions at an interval of approximately 90° in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a disk to a spindle includes a lower layer adapted to engage the disk and an upper layer constructed of a material having a stiffness greater than that of the lower layer. The upper and/or lower layer has protrusions extending therefrom for mating with receiving areas of the other layer.

Abstract: A disk mounting hub has a disk-mounting face formed at one end as a truncated conical surface of revolution symmetric about a central axis. A cylindrical inner hub member is coaxial with the hub body outside diameter and the surrounding mounting face. The inner hub member is adapted to receive a planar disk with a central opening. The mounting face is disposed at a hub face angle (?/2+/??) relative to the central axis. Hub face angle ? is selected so that a disk clamping force F applied to an inner disk portion surrounding the opening bends a portion of the disk interior to the hub inside diameter to conform with the conical disk-mounting face. This interior bending portion reduces or eliminates the tendency of the outer disk portion to form an excessive conning angle ?.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A hard disk drive having an air flow accelerator for improving taking-off and landing of a slider on a surface of a disk. The hard disk drive includes a spindle motor and a disk for storing data which is rotated by the spindle motor. The slider includes a magnetic head for recording and reproducing data and is mounted on a pivotable actuator. The air flow accelerator is provided within an inner circumference of the disk and rotates together with the disk. The device may be formed integral with a disk clamp, the spindle motor, a disk spacer, the disk, or as a separate member. At least one blade extends in a radial direction from a center of rotation of the disk with the blade being curved in a direction opposite a rotation direction of the disk. The accelerated air flow restricts damage of the magnetic head and the disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for balancing a disk are described. A balance ring may be a circular band for placement along the inner diameter of a disk. On the outer diameter of the balance ring, one or more clamp structures may extend outward to attach the balance ring to the inner diameter of a disk. The inner diameter of the balance ring may have a number of protuberances that, when trimmed, establish a new rotational center of the disk/balance ring coincident with the mass center. The disk and balancing ring may be mounted on a disk balancing system to determine a mass center and trim the protuberances, accordingly, to establish adjust the rotational center of the disk/balance ring to be coincident with the mass center. The protuberances may be trimmed using, for example, laser energy.

Abstract: A hard disk hub has a disk-mounting face formed at one end as a truncated conical surface of revolution symmetric about the hub axis. A cylindrical inner hub member is coaxial with the hub body outside diameter and the surrounding mounting face. The inner hub member is adapted to receive a planar disk with a central mounting hole with disk inside diameter fitted around it. The mounting face is disposed at a hub conning angle (?/2+/??) relative to the hub axis. Hub conning angle ? is selected so that a disk mounting force F applied to an inner disk portion surrounding the central mounting opening bends a portion of the disk interior to the hub inside diameter to conform contiguous facing relationship with the conical disk-mounting face. This interior bending portion reduces or eliminates the tendency of the outer disk portion to form an excessive conning angle ?.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling a disk to a spindle includes a lower layer adapted to engage the disk and an upper layer constructed of a material having a stiffness greater than that of the lower layer. The upper and/or lower layer has protrusions extending therefrom for mating with receiving areas of the other layer.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention can be regarded as a disk drive that includes a disk drive base, a disk including disk surface, and a spindle motor including a spindle motor hub including a clamping surface with disk clamp holes. The disk drive includes a disk clamp disposed upon the disk surface. The disk clamp includes a screw head interface surface and screw openings. The disk drive includes disk clamp screws each including a shaft sized and configured to respectively engage the threaded disk clamp holes respectively through the screw openings. The screws each further include a screw head having a screw head clamping surface disposed against the screw head interface surface. The screws each further include a surface coating disposed upon the screw head clamping surface. The surface coating has a static coefficient of friction less than a static coefficient of friction of the screw head.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a hard disk includes a motor rotating body having a boss inserted in a central hole of the hard disk and having a threaded portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the boss and an accommodation surface supporting part a lower surface of the hard disk, a clamping washer inserted around the boss of the motor rotating body and placed on an upper surface of the hard disk, and a clamping nut placed on the clamping washer and coupled to the threaded portion of the boss so as to clamp the hard disk between the clamping washer and the accommodation surface of the rotating body.

Abstract: A method of using a balance clip in a hard disk drive spindle motor for disk pack balance correction provides the balance clip with one end that is offset from the circular shape of the balance clip. The offset end is located opposite the precise bent tab that provides tooling engagement in the balance clip. The offset end of the balance clip is offset at a radius that is less than the radius of the balance clip, or at a lesser radial offset from the circular shape. The edge of the offset end does not make contact with the groove in which the balance clip is seated. This design eliminates scratching between the offset end and motor hub, and reduces friction and particle generation during clip adjustment in the disk pack balancing process.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus can achieve reduced thickness by reducing thickness of the clamp, improved shock resistance achieved by an increase of clamping force, and reduced rotating synchronous deviation due to such as camber or undulation of a disk generated by eccentricity of the disk depressing section, a disk receiving surface of the spindle hub and the disk. That is, on a circumference more inwards than a portion in contact with an outside diameter of screw head section and clamp, clamp has displacement section in a screw axial direction throughout the whole circumference with a contact section set as a reference.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor includes a fixed portion and a rotor. The rotor includes a shaft and a top engaging face. The shaft is rotatably held by the fixed portion. The top engaging face is located on a top side of the rotor. The rotor further includes at least one protruded engaging portion on the top engaging face. A carrier such as a tray or the like is fixedly coupled with the at least one protruded engaging portion. A compartment is defined in the rotor by the at least one protruded engaging portion. A filling material may be filled into the compartment for adjusting rotational balance of the rotor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for balancing a disc stack assembly of a disc drive where a clamp is used as a counter-balance as well as for securing a disc to the disc stack assembly. The clamp and spindle motor are configured for positive engagement and alignment with the use of a minimal number of parts. The clamp includes a cavity through which a protrusion or a shaft of the spindle motor hub may extend. The clamp may be further secured in a desired orientation by the use of a single fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing the internal rotational components of a disk drive utilizes an annular clamp retention device. The clamp retention device has a rigid, metallic, main ring body from which protrudes a plurality of compliant tabs having a generally L-shaped cross-section. The compliant tabs extend radially inward from the body to form an inner circular array of the tabs. In addition, a plurality of rigid planar flanges, which are larger than the compliant tabs, extend radially outward from the body. The compliant tabs are designed to engage the hub and cartridge of the disk drive rotational components at the upper end of the disk stack.

Abstract: Faulty engagement due to low surface precision of the engaging surfaces of a center core of a disk cartridge and a drive spindle is resolved. The center core 10 is positioned on the drive spindle 20 in a state where the center core 10 is in point contact with the drive spindle 20 at a minimum of three spots upon chucking. A minimum of three protrusions 10d are provided on the bottom surface of the center core 10, and lower ends P of the protrusions 10d are in point contact with the upper surface 21a of the drive spindle 20.

Abstract: A spring disk clamp is provided for securing one or more data storage disks to a disk drive without the need for screws. The disk clamp incorporates an angled surface defining the central opening of the clamp which is positioned adjacent a sloping surface of the hub. An external axial load applied to the clamp deflects the clamp, and allows a retaining member to be wedged between the clamp and the hub. Stabilizing features such as O-rings and the like are also eliminated as the clamp of the invention provides both radial and axial stabilization to the disk pack in its mounting to the hub.

Abstract: A spindle motor including a rotatable hub is provided on a case, and a disk is fitted on an outer periphery of the hub. A disk damper is fixed to an end portion of the hub to hold the disk on the hub. The disk damper integrally includes a clamp portion fixed to the end portion of the hub to hold a centre portion of the disk, and a substantially annular straightening portion extending outwards from the clamp portion in a radial direction and facing to a surface of the disk with a predetermined gap.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A disk drive device includes a recording medium, a head slider having a head element for recording data on the recording medium and for reading data recorded on the recording medium, a spindle motor for rotating the recording medium, and a clamp for applying a pressing force to the recording medium to fasten the recording medium to the spindle motor. The disk drive device has a feature in which a film body formed from a material which is more pliable than a material forming the clamp is interposed between the clamp and the recording medium. Even if the clamp does not have a high flatness, the film body absorbs irregularities of the clamp. Thus, it is possible to fasten the recording medium with the clamp while apparently keeping flatness.

Abstract: A disk chuck which centers and clamps data storage disks during a disk formatting process. The disk chuck is designed to clamp or unclamp the disks at the same time. The disk chuck includes a hollow main shaft which orderly fits and seats the disks thereon and a piston which is situated in the hollow main shaft so as to axially move in the hollow main shaft in opposite directions. A clamping shaft is axially received in the hollow main shaft and coupled to the piston so as to move along with the piston in the same direction to clamp or unclamp the disks seated on the hollow main shaft. An upper end of the clamping shaft having a disk clamping part extends to project beyond an upper end of the hollow main shaft.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held devices, each of which is equipped with a mini-disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing the internal rotational components of a disk drive utilizes an annular clamp retention device. The clamp retention device has a rigid, metallic, main ring body from which protrudes a plurality of compliant tabs having a generally L-shaped cross-section. The compliant tabs extend radially inward from the body to form an inner circular array of the tabs. In addition, a plurality of rigid planar flanges, which are larger than the compliant tabs, extend radially outward from the body. The compliant tabs are designed to engage the hub and cartridge of the disk drive rotational components at the upper end of the disk stack.

Abstract: A relative adjustment between an optical disc rotating mechanism and an optical pickup is adjusted by rotating a rotary member against a biasing force of an engaging projection. As the rotary member is rotated, the projection is slid for movement on an inclined surface, changing a relative position between the rotary member and a bottom wall of a subsidiary chassis, causing the subsidiary chassis to have a varied inclination relative to a main chassis. An adjusted condition is maintained by an engaging force between an engaging groove and the engaging projection biased toward the rotary member.

Abstract: A single plate hydrodynamic bearing motor comprising an integrated hub and shaft assembly. The hub is formed of molded plastic and at least one disk is affixed to the hub.

Abstract: A disc clamp having centering features, and a method for centering a disc clamp on a spindle hub within a disc drive utilizes a disc clamp having a series of alignment tabs extending into an inner edge for centering the disc clamp on a motor spindle hub. Each alignment tab has an engagement face that defines a curved or chamfered surface, where the curved surface reduces disc clamp/motor spindle hub interaction when the disc clamp is installed on the spindle hub.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a disk drive has symmetrically spaced apart countersunk apertures in the top surface of the disk clamp. The apertures enable the disk clamp to maintain a proper orientation before the fasteners are attached. This design overcomes issues related to rotation and displacement of the clamp while it is being fastened to the hub, and reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly. Less tooling complexity also allows multi-fastener driver systems to be employed so that all of the fasteners required to complete the assembly may be simultaneously attached arid driven into the disk clamp. The countersunk apertures on the disk clamp are designed to couple with tapered sleeves on the installation tool to quickly and precisely center the fasteners in the disk clamp while providing anti-rotation torque for the disk clamp.

Abstract: A data storage device (10) includes a stator (20), a rotor (40), a disk (80), and a clamp (60) attaching the disk to the rotor. The rotor includes a hub (48) forming a shoulder (57) at a top portion thereof. A recess (56) is defined in the top portion of the hub and surrounded by the shoulder. An outer diameter of the recess is equal to or larger than a diameter of a central opening (82) of the disk. The disk is seated on the shoulder of the hub. The clamp includes a bottom fixing part (62) fixedly attached to the hub in the recess, a cylindrical wall (64) abutting an inside of the shoulder and the disk in the central opening, and a pressing part (66) extending through the central opening of the disk and pressing on the disk thereby ensuring that the disk can rotate with the rotor.

Abstract: A disc clamp assembly for securing a data storage disc to a drive motor in a disc drive includes a disc clamp having a central portion that can be secured to a drive motor, a raised portion extending around the central portion, and a contact portion extending around the raised portion for pressing down on the disc to secure the disc to the drive motor. The contact portion has an upwardly extending rim, and the rim has at least fifteen spaced apart upwardly extending projections positioned around the rim. A balance ring is seated in the contact portion.

Abstract: A disk clamp for securing data storage disks to the hub of a spindle motor in a hard disk drive has a circumferential rib protruding from a lower surface of the disk clamp. A complementary recess is formed in the hub of the spindle motor for closely receiving the rib on the disk clamp. The inner diameter of the rib and the outer diameter of the recess are closely toleranced to provide a very precise centering feature for mounting and aligning the disk clamp with respect to the hub and spindle motor. This design reduces the complexity of the tooling and fixtures required to complete the assembly and the overall part cost is reduced.

Abstract: A clamping device for clamping disks uses a flexible lock member, a hub, and a cap. The hub is mounted to a spindle, which defines a rotational axis for the hub. The upper portion of the hub has a recess including a guide in which the lock member is axially introduced. A clamping effect of the lock member in the recess is preferably achieved by selecting outer diameter of the lower portion of the lock member greater than the diameter of the cylindrical recess. The hub has a disk seating surface proximate to the base of the upper portion. The lock member is a unitary cap-shaped member made of flexible material, and preferably includes a plurality of axial fingers extending the disk-seating surface. The fingers are preferably a lower and an upper portion. The lower portion comprises an outer stiffening area forming a greater diameter than the upper portion.

Abstract: A disc fixing apparatus and associated methodology for fixing a data storage disc in rotation with the hub of a motor that is rotatable around a motor axis of rotation. The disc fixing apparatus comprises a clamp engaging the hub and comprising a reference surface associated with the clamp axis of rotation. A fastener comprising a registration feature cooperates with the reference surface, registering the clamp with the fastener. The fastener is attached to the motor hub fixing the disc and hub in rotation and registering the clamp to the motor axis of rotation. An associated method is provided for fixing a disc in balanced rotation with a rotatable hub of a motor around a motor axis of rotation.

Abstract: An information storage disk holding member for holding an information storage disk in position in an information storage disk drive device, the holding member being made of glass-ceramics in which a crystal phase is dispersed in a glass matrix. The holding member has specific rigidity (Young's modulus/specific gravity) of not greater than 37 GPa, specific gravity of not greater than 3.0, coefficient of thermal expansion within a range from −50° C. to +70° C. which is within a range from +35×10−7/° C. to +130×10−7/° C., Young's modulus within a range from 95 GPa to 130 GPa, specific gravity within a range from 2.40 to 2.60 and bending strength within a range from 400 MPa to 800 MPa.

Abstract: A disk clamp is provided for securing one or more data storage disks to a disk drive without the need for screws. The clamp is deflected by an external load prior to installation. A retaining ring is placed between the hub of the drive and the disk clamp, and the load is removed whereby the clamp springs back to its undeflected state. The disk includes a flat contact surface for contacting a disk or spacer. The disk also had an upper groove for receiving a balance ring, and one or more lower grooves for distributing the load of the clamp.

Abstract: A method for forming a disc stack assembly suitable for use in a disc drive. A number of discs are loaded onto a spindle motor hub and a disc clamp assembly is installed to secure the discs to the hub. The disc clamp assembly includes an annular retaining ring and a substantially planar, disc shaped clamp plate. The annular retaining ring is secured within an annular ring recess of the spindle motor hub and deforms the clamp plate so that the clamp plate applies an axially directed clamping force to the discs. The disc clamp includes an annular hat flange. The disc stack assembly is preferably balanced by selectively removing material from the hat flange or by attaching a balance weight to the hat flange.

Abstract: A data storage device (10) includes a stator (20), a rotor (40), a disk (80), and a clamp (60) attaching the disk to the rotor. The rotor includes a hub (48) forming a shoulder (57) at a top portion thereof. A recess (56) is defined in the top portion of the hub and surrounded by the shoulder. An outer diameter of the recess is equal to or larger than a diameter of a central opening (82) of the disk. The disk is seated on the shoulder of the hub. The clamp includes a bottom fixing part (62) fixedly attached to the hub in the recess, a cylindrical wall (64) abutting an inside of the shoulder and the disk in the central opening, and a pressing part (66) extending through the central opening of the disk and pressing on the disk thereby ensuring that the disk can rotate with the rotor.

Abstract: A disc positioning system for releasably securing a disc stack array on a spindle hub in a multi-disc writer system. The system includes a disc clamp with an axial catch and a retaining arrangement for engaging the catch. The retaining arrangement includes at least one radially movable member that engages and secures the axial catch in an engagement position and disengages the axial catch in a disengagement position.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a drive housing, an actuator arm mounted to the drive housing, a head suspension assembly secured to the actuator arm, a spindle secured to the drive housing, a storage disk positioned on the spindle and a spacer positioned on the spindle. The actuator arm includes a suspension mounting side and the spindle includes a disk mounting surface. A actual measured distance along a first axis between the suspension mounting side and the disk mounting surface is measured. The spacer is positioned between the disk mounting surface and the storage disk. The spacer has a spacer height along the first axis that is based upon the actual measured distance.

Abstract: A disc pack assembly for use in a disc drive storage system or external servo writer that is configured to maintain concentric alignment between one or more discs and a hub during handling. The disc pack assembly generally includes a disc support having an annular shoulder, a disc supported on the annular shoulder, and a hub top. The hub top includes a spindle mount portion, a ring mount portion and an annular clamping flange. The spindle mount portion is mountable to a rotatable spindle of a motor of a disc drive or an external servo writer. The ring mount portion is positioned in interference-fit engagement with the disc support for attachment thereto. The annular clamping flange applies an axial force to the disc to secure the disc between the clamping flange and the annular shoulder.

Abstract: A system for exchanging digital data among a plurality of hand-held computer devices. Digital signals are written by a first hand-held device to a mini-cartridge that mini-cartridge is inter-operable among a class of hand-held device, each of which is equipped with a mini disk drive. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between devices.

Abstract: A disk clamp has a data position in a recording track that is resistant to positional deviations even after temperature cycling is conducted. The distribution of data positions can be centered in the vicinity of the center position. A disk top clamp and hub are made from materials that are stable in terms of chemical properties over a temperature range in which the disk recording apparatus is used and have such a coefficient of elasticity that a clamping force required to clamp the recording disks while the disk recording apparatus is in use can be obtained from the tightening force to tighten the screws. The material of the top clamp and the hub has a thermal expansion coefficient that is close to that of the recording disk.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for balancing a disk are described. A balance ring may be a circular band for placement along the inner diameter of a disk. On the outer diameter of the balance ring, one or more clamp structures may extend outward to attach the balance ring to the inner diameter of a disk. The inner diameter of the balance ring may have a number of protuberances that, when trimmed, establish a new rotational center of the disk/balance ring coincident with the mass center. The disk and balancing ring may be mounted on a disk balancing system to determine a mass center and trim the protuberances, accordingly, to establish adjust the rotational center of the disk/balance ring to be coincident with the mass center. The protuberances may be trimmed using, for example, laser energy.

Abstract: A disc stack assembly for use in a disc drive. A spindle motor hub includes an annular ring recess. A disc is clamped to the spindle motor hub by a disc clamp assembly comprising a clamp plate and a retaining ring. The clamp plate includes an inner ring engagement portion, an outer disc engagement portion, and an initial, substantially planar shape in an undeformed state. The retaining ring is secured within the annular ring recess and maintains the clamp plate in a conically deformed state so that the inner ring engagement portion of the clamp plate applies a first moment force against the retaining ring while the outer disc engagement portion of the clamp plate applies a second moment force as an axially directed clamping force upon the disc.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a head, a spindle motor having a hub, the hub comprising a cylindrical shaft, the shaft defining a generally cylindrically-shaped outer surface, the outer surface defining a latching member extending around at least part of the circumference of the shaft. A disk is positioned on the spindle motor and an actuator moves the head radially over the disk. A disk clamp clamps the disk to the spindle motor. The disk clamp comprises a ring-shaped body comprising an outer ring-shaped surface abutting the disk, and an inner neck spaced-apart from the outer ring-shaped surface, the inner neck comprising a plurality of independently flexing teeth for contacting the latching member.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a spindle motor for rotating the disk, and a head actuated radially over the disk. A disk clamp clamps the disk to a hub of the spindle motor, wherein the disk clamp comprises a notch at a predetermined location along an outer diameter of the disk clamp. The disk is aligned non-concentric with the hub such that a center of the disk is aligned offset from a center of the hub toward the notch. The notch substantially counteracts an imbalance due to the non-concentric alignment of the disk with respect to the hub.

Abstract: An apparatus for clamping a hard disk includes a motor rotating body having a boss inserted in a central hole of the hard disk and having a threaded portion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the boss and an accommodation surface supporting part a lower surface of the hard disk, a clamping washer inserted around the boss of the motor rotating body and placed on an upper surface of the hard disk, and a clamping nut placed on the clamping washer and coupled to the threaded portion of the boss so as to clamp the hard disk between the clamping washer and the accommodation surface of the rotating body.

Abstract: A clamp for securing data storage disks to a hub of a disk drive mechanism includes a flat body with a protuberance that defines a flat distal surface for engaging a data storage disk. The body also includes bores that receive members for securing the clamp to the hub and at least one groove for distributing the securing force of the securing members.

Abstract: A disc mounting system for mounting the discs of a disc drive in a fixed radial relationship to the hub of a spindle motor. The disc mounting system includes curved spring elements, having a substantially C-shaped cross section, which are curved on a radius greater than the radius of the central opening of the discs. One or more spring elements are utilized with each disc, and assembly tooling is used to bend the spring elements so that the discs, with the opening of the C-shaped springs engaging the inner diameter of the discs, can fit over the hub of the spindle motor. The assembly tooling is then removed to allow the spring elements to partially straighten, firmly engaging the discs relative to the spindle motor hub in the radial direction. In a first embodiment of the invention, alternative mechanisms are disclosed for establishing the axial positions of the discs.