Apparatus and method for testing magnetic disk drive components using drive-based parts
An apparatus and method for testing a component of a magnetic disk drive in which one or more drive-based components is used in the testing process. Each of the drive-based components is based on a corresponding one of the components of the magnetic disk drive. During testing, the component to be tested and at least one of the drive-based components are selectively engaged.
1. An apparatus for testing a component of a disk drive, comprising:
a stationary platform configured to operably support one of either an actuator or a servo formatted storage disk, if the actuator then it is operably movable with respect to the stationary platform to supportingly position, in turn, the component;
a movable platform configured to operably support the other of the actuator or the storage disk, if the actuator then it is operably movable with respect to the movable platform to supportingly position, in turn, the component, the movable platform selectively movable between a first position where the actuator and the storage disk are clearingly disposed away from each other so that the component can be attached to the actuator for testing, and a second position where the actuator and the storage disk are operably disposable to place the component in a data transfer relationship with the storage disk; and
a control apparatus configured to selectively position the actuator via servo loop control while the component and the storage disk are in the data transfer relationship.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the servo formatted storage disk is characteristically the same as a disk used in the disk drive.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the servo formatted storage disk is characterized by a partially pre-written servo pattern, and wherein the control apparatus is further configured to write additional servo information while the component and the storage disk are in the data transfer relationship.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage disk is rotated by a motor that is characteristically the same as a motor in the disk drive.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control apparatus includes a processing unit configured to be controlled by computer executable instructions stored in a memory.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control apparatus includes a read channel that is characteristically the same as a read channel in the disk drive.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control apparatus includes a base assembly control unit configured to execute computer instructions stored in memory to position the movable platform.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the movable platform is linearly positionable with respect to the stationary platform.
9. A method for testing a component of a disk drive, comprising the steps of:
supporting one of either an actuator or a servo formatted storage disk on a stationary platform of a testing apparatus, if the actuator then it is operably movable with respect to the stationary platform and thereby supportingly positions, in turn, the component;
supporting the other of the actuator or the storage disk on a movable platform of the testing apparatus, if the actuator then it is operably movable with respect to the movable platform to supportingly position, in turn, the component, the movable platform selectively movable between a first position where the actuator and the storage disk are clearingly disposed away from each other so that the component can be attached to the actuator for testing, and a second position where the actuator and the storage disk are operably disposable to place the component in a data transfer relationship with the storage disk; and
operating a control apparatus of the testing apparatus that selectively positions the actuator via servo loop control while performing a test on the component.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the supporting the storage disk step is characterized by a disk that is characteristically the same as a disk used in the disk drive.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the supporting the storage disk step is characterized by partially pre-writing the disk with a servo pattern and writing additional servo information during the operating a control apparatus step.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the supporting the storage disk step is characterized by rotating the storage disk with a motor that is characteristically the same as a motor in the disk drive.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the operating a control apparatus is characterized by using a read channel that is characteristically the same as a read channel in the disk drive.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the operating a control apparatus step further positions the movable platform.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the operating a control apparatus step linearly positions the movable platform with respect to the stationary platform.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the component comprises a head gimbal assembly (HGA) that is removably connectable to an actuator arm that is, in turn, supported by one of the platforms.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a voice coil motor operably positioning the actuator arm.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a voice coil driver that compensates for characteristic differences between the actuator and removable HGA combination in the testing apparatus in comparison to an actuator and non-removable HGA combination used in the disk drive.
19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the supporting the component step is characterized by removably attaching a head gimbal assembly (HGA) to an arm of the actuator.
20. An apparatus for testing a component of a disk drive, comprising:
a data storage disk and a read/write head; and
means for operably positioning the read/write head with respect to the data storage disk during attachment of the component to the testing apparatus, during operable testing of the component while the data storage disk and the read/write head are in a data transfer relationship, and during detachment of the component from the testing apparatus.
21. An apparatus for testing a component of a disk drive, comprising:
a stationary platform configured to operably support one of either the component or a storage disk, the storage disk having a partially complete servo pattern;
a movable platform configured to operably support the other of the component or the storage disk, the movable platform selectively movable between a first position where the component and the storage disk are clearingly disposed away from each other so that the component can be attached for testing, and a second position where the component and the storage disk are operably disposable in a data transfer relationship; and
a control apparatus configured to selectively position the component via servo loop control and configured to write additional servo information to the partially complete servo pattern while the component and the storage disk are in the data transfer relationship.
22. A method for testing a component of a disk drive, comprising the steps of:
supporting one of either the component or a storage disk on a stationary platform of a testing apparatus, the storage disk having a partially complete servo pattern;
supporting the other of the component or the storage disk on a movable platform of the testing apparatus that is selectively movable between a first position where the component and the storage disk are clearingly disposed away from each other so that the component can be attached for testing, and a second position where the component and the storage disk are operably disposable in a data transfer relationship; and
operating a control apparatus of the testing apparatus to selectively position the component via servo loop control and to write additional servo information to the partially complete servo pattern while performing a test on the component.