Western Digital Technologies, Inc.

Becton Dickinson and Company Limited

Nanometrics Inc.

Onto Innovation Inc.

Andrew Saul Klassen

Jason Bradley Ersepke

Kenneth Allen

Joselito S Jose

Andrew J Hazelton

Kamran Oveyssi

Jorge Manzarraga

May Ching Kung

Paul A Doyle

Robert E Lloyd, Jr

Andrew H Barada

Mark Dorighi

Todd M Petit

Chuan Sheng Tu

Clamps for operably coupling one or more optical components to a mounting block are provided. Clamps of interest include a frame and one or more flexure tabs attached to the frame. Light detection modules and systems including one or more clamps are also provided. Aspects of the disclosure additionally include methods for analyzing a sample and assembling a light detection module.

Clamps for operably coupling an optical component to a mounting block, and methods and systems for using the same

Photodetector clamps are provided. Clamps of interest include one or more flexure arms for applying an immobilizing force to one or more photodetectors positioned within a light detection module, and are configured to be positioned on top of a detector block. In embodiments, the bottom of the one or more flexure arms include an opening for contacting the photodetector(s). Light detection modules, systems and methods employing the subject clamps are also provided.

Clamps for applying an immobilizing force to a photodetector, and systems and methods for using the same

Light detection systems are provided. Aspects of the light detection systems include first and second light receivers in fixed positions relative to each other, a plurality of wavelength separators configured to pass light from the first and second light receivers having a predetermined spectral range, and a plurality of light detection modules. Baseplates having a stage for mounting a light receiver, a plurality of recesses for fixing a plurality of light detection modules in rigid alignment relative to the stage, and a heat dissipation opening positioned within each recess are also provided. In addition, particle analysis systems, methods and kits for practicing the invention are disclosed.

Light detection systems having first and second light receivers, and methods of use thereof

An elongated rectangular Rochon polarizer, e.g., having a height to width or depth ratio of at least 2.5, is securely held in a non-adhesive mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a plurality of compression elements that press the Rochon polarizer against corresponding reference points to properly align the Rochon polarizer within the mounting assembly. Moreover, air gaps between the Rochon polarizer and the sidewalls of the mounting assembly are provided to minimize thermal conduction between the mounting assembly and the Rochon polarizer and to provide thermal convection to cool the Rochon polarizer, thereby reducing risk of catastrophic delamination of the Rochon polarizer due to thermal effects.

Non-adhesive mounting assembly for a tall Rochon polarizer

An integrated metrology module includes a chuck for holding a sample and positioning the sample with respect to an optical metrology device, a reference chip for the optical metrology device, the reference chip being movable to various positions with respect to the optical metrology device, and a reference chip purge device provides a flow of purge gas or air over the reference chip while the reference chip is in the various positions. The reference chip purge device may be static or movable with the reference chip.

Optical metrology with purged reference chip

A method of using a tooling mandrel for assembling a disk drive is described. The method includes providing a head stack assembly including a shaft with an engagement feature, and providing the tooling mandrel including two tooling fingers, one of which is movable. The movable tooling finger is moved between a first configuration in which respective distal tips of the tooling fingers are insertable into and removable from the engagement feature and a second configuration in which the distal tips engage the engagement feature. The tooling mandrel further includes a tooling finger spreader coupled to the movable tooling finger to selectively move the movable tooling finger between the first and second configurations. The method further includes locating the distal tips at least partially within the engagement feature with the tooling fingers in the first configuration, and moving the movable tooling finger to the second configuration to engage the shaft.

Method of using a tooling mandrel for assembling a disk drive

A robotic tool for assembling a portion of a disk drive includes a movable end effector that includes a first portion and a second portion that is movable relative to the first portion. The first portion may be configured to engage the actuator assembly and the second portion may be configured to engage the flex circuit connector. A controller may be provided to control the movable end effector, causing the end effector to pick up the head stack assembly in a first configuration, move the second portion of the end effector relative to the first portion thereof so as to articulate the head stack assembly into a second configuration that is different than the first configuration, and place the head stack assembly into the base.

System for assembling a disk drive using a robotic end effector

A method for assembling a head stack assembly with a disk drive base utilizing a tooling mandrel is described. The head stack assembly includes a pivot bearing cartridge with a shaft and a sleeve. The shaft includes a shaft first end with an engagement feature. The shaft defines an axis of rotation and a shaft outer circumferential surface. The sleeve defines a sleeve inner circumferential surface disposed towards the shaft outer circumferential surface. The tooling mandrel includes a retainer element defining a longitudinal axis and including a distal end. The distal end engages the engagement feature. The tooling mandrel includes tooling fingers angularly fixed to the retainer element with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tooling fingers each include a tip portion. Each tip portion engages the pivot bearing cartridge through cooperative radial movement with respect to the axis of rotation with the distal end engaged with the engagement feature.

Method for assembling a head stack assembly with a disk drive base utilizing a tooling mandrel

A manufacturing assembly is disclosed for manufacturing a disk drive. The manufacturing assembly comprises a pre-merge arm having a contact surface for contacting an actuator arm of the disk drive, and an actuator operable to actuate the pre-merge arm. When installing the actuator arm into the base of the disk drive, the actuator is operable to actuate the pre-merge arm in a first direction so that the contact surface biases the actuator arm rotationally about a pivot to bias the lift tab away from the ramp. After installing the actuator arm into the base of the disk drive, the actuator is operable to actuate the pre-merge arm in a second direction opposite the first direction so that the lift tab moves towards and contacts a ramp near an outer periphery of a disk.

Manufacturing assembly for manufacturing a disk drive

A tooling mandrel for use in assembling a disk drive having a disk drive base and a head stack assembly with a pivot bearing cartridge. The cartridge includes a shaft and a sleeve. The shaft includes a shaft first end with an engagement feature. The shaft defines an axis of rotation and a shaft outer circumferential surface. The sleeve defines a sleeve inner circumferential surface disposed towards the shaft outer circumferential surface. The tooling mandrel includes a retainer element defining a longitudinal axis and including a distal end. The distal end engages the engagement feature. The tooling mandrel includes tooling fingers angularly fixed to the retainer element with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tooling fingers each include a tip portion. Each tip portion engages the pivot bearing cartridge through cooperative radial movement with respect to the axis of rotation with the distal end engaged with the engagement feature.

Tooling mandrel for assembling a head stack assembly with a disk drive base

Methods for assembling a disk drive using robotic end effector

A method of assembly of a disk drive including providing a disk drive base. The method further includes providing a first VCM plate with an attached first magnet. The method further includes applying a holding force against the first VCM plate for holding the first VCM plate against the disk drive base. The method further includes providing a second VCM plate with an attached second magnet. The first and second VCM plates being cooperatively formed to engage each other with the first and second magnets facing towards each other with a magnetic attractive force. The method further includes engaging the second VCM plate with the first VCM plate while maintaining the holding force against the first VCM plate greater than the magnetic attractive force between the first and second magnets.

Method of assembly of a disk drive including engaging first and second VCM plates while maintaining a holding force against the first VCM plate

A method of assembling a disk drive includes providing a disk drive base. The method further includes providing a disk drive cover having an inside face and an outside face. The inside face is coated with an electrically insulative material. The method further includes contacting, continuously during a period, the outside face with an electrically conductive grounding element that is part of an assembly fixture that is not part of the disk drive being assembled. The method further includes attaching the disk drive cover to the disk drive base during the period.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Andrew Saul Klassen