FLEXIBLE DISK DRIVE OPTIMIZED FOR AUTOMATED MANUFACTURE

摘要

FLEXIBLE DISK DRIVE OPTIMIZED FOR AUTOMATED MANUFACTURE 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. By this arrangement, automated methods of manufacture can be effectively carried out for assembly of each frame member as well as final assembly of the frame members.