Method of lubricating multiple magnetic storage disks in close proximity

Abstract

Various apparatus and methods are provided for lubricating hard memory disks. A mandrel is provided in one embodiment with three rows of teeth and provides a stable, three-point engagement with the inside edge of the disks at the center aperture. When removing disks from a cassette, the mandrel preferably places a uniform space between the disks. In a second embodiment, the mandrel may be used to lubricate single-sided hard memory disks. The single-sided hard memory disk may be positioned on the mandrel in pairs in a gap merge orientation, or equally spaced apart.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A method for manufacturing hard memory disks for use in a disk drive, the disks having a central aperture that defines an inside edge, the method comprising: 
 a. Placing a plurality of disks in a carrier, wherein the disks are positioned in pairs which have a gap merge orientation of no less than approximately 0.025 inches;    b. Removing the plurality of disks from the carrier at least one pair at a time using a mandrel device that engages the inside edge of each disk;    c. Substantially simultaneously surrounding the removed disks with lubricating fluid;    d. Returning the plurality of lubricated disks to a carrier.    
     
     
         28 . A method for manufacturing hard memory disks for use in a disk drive, the disks having a central aperture that defines an inside edge, the method comprising: 
 a. Placing a plurality of disks in a carrier, wherein the disks are positioned in pairs which have a gap merge orientation of no less than approximately 0.035 inches;    b. Removing the plurality of disks from the carrier at least one pair at a time using a mandrel device that engages the inside edge of each disk;    c. Substantially simultaneously surrounding the removed disks with lubricating fluid;    d. Returning the plurality of lubricated disks to a carrier.    
     
     
         29 . A method for manufacturing hard memory disks for use in a disk drive, the disks having a central aperture that defines an inside edge, the method comprising: 
 a. Placing a plurality of disks in a carrier, wherein the disks are positioned in pairs which have a gap merge orientation and wherein the spacing between adjacent pairs of disks is between approximately 0.085 and 0.130 inches;    b. Removing the plurality of disks from the carrier at least one pair at a time using a mandrel device that engages the inside edge of each disk;    c. Substantially simultaneously surrounding the removed disks with lubricating fluid;    d. Returning the plurality of lubricated disks to a carrier.    
     
     
         30 . A method for manufacturing single-sided hard memory disks, the disks including an outside perimeter edge and a central aperture defining an inside edge, the method comprising: 
 a. positioning a carrier containing a plurality of pairs of disks at a first station;    b. providing at least one chamber adapted to contain lubricating fluid;    c. substantially simultaneously engaging each disk of said plurality of pairs of disks at a plurality of distinct discrete positions only on the inside edge of each disk;    d. removing said plurality of pairs of disks from said carrier without disengaging each disk;    e. placing said plurality of removed disks in said at least one chamber and substantially simultaneously surrounding said plurality of pairs of disks with a liquid lubricant.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , following positioning a carrier containing a plurality of pairs of disks at a first station, further comprising placing a substantially uniform space between the disks prior to surrounding said plurality of pairs of disks with a liquid lubricant.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein positioning a carrier containing a plurality of pairs of disks at a first station comprises positioning a plurality of pairs of disks which have a gap merge orientation in a cassette at a first station.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein removing said plurality of pairs of disks from said carrier comprises lifting the plurality of pairs of disks in a manner that the disks from one end of the carrier are elevated higher than the disks from the other end of the carrier.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising placing said plurality of pairs of disks in said chamber prior to surrounding the disks with a liquid lubricant.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising adding liquid lubricant to said chamber prior to surrounding said plurality of pairs of disks with a the liquid lubricant.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said placing a substantially uniform space between the disks comprises separating the disks by approximately 0.075 inches.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein substantially simultaneously engaging each disk of said plurality of pairs of disks at a plurality of distinct positions only on the inside edge of each disk comprises engaging the inside edge of each disk at three locations.  
     
     
         38 . A method for manufacturing single-sided hard memory disks, the disks including an outside perimeter edge and a central aperture defining an inside edge, the method comprising: 
 a. positioning a carrier containing a plurality of pairs of disks at a first station;    b. providing at least one chamber adapted to contain a liquid lubricant;    c. engaging at least one pair of disks the inside edge of each disk with a mandrel device in a manner to substantially reduce movement of each disk of said at least one pair of disks relative to any adjacent disk;    d. removing said at least one pair of disks from said carrier without disengaging the disks;    e. placing said at least one pair of disks in said at least one chamber without disengaging the disks and substantially simultaneously surrounding said at least one pair of disks with a liquid lubricant.