Apparatus for combining or separating disk pairs simultaneously

1. A method of manufacturing disks, comprising:

processing a plurality of merged pairs of the disks in a carrier, wherein spacings between adjacent pairs of the disks are greater than spacings between disks forming each pair;

contactingly engaging the disks in groupings of the pairs at a first common radial position and in groupings of individual disks at a second common radial position, making the spacings between disks forming each pair greater at the second common radial position than at the first common radial position;

aligning a mandrel with the disks; and

supporting the disks on the mandrel in an even spacing by withdrawing the contactingly engaging step.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step is characterized by the pairs of disks being gap merged.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing step is characterized by the pairs of disks being contact merged.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the contactingly engaging step is characterized by the first and second common radial positions being diametrically opposed.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the aligning step is characterized by receivingly engaging the mandrel within a central aperture of each of the disks.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the aligning step is characterized by the mandrel defining supporting engagement features that are aligned with the disk surfaces defining the central apertures.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the supporting step is characterized by simultaneously supporting on the mandrel all the disks associated with the processing step.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the supporting step is characterized by simultaneously supporting on the mandrel less than all the disks associated with the processing step.

9. A manufacturing apparatus for handling disks disposed in merged pairs in a carrier, wherein spacings between adjacent pairs of the disks are greater than spacings between disks forming each pair, the apparatus comprising:

a first disk contacting surface defining a first cavity that is sized to receivingly engage a selected one of the pairs of disks;

a second disk contacting surface defining second and third cavities that are sized to receivingly engage individual disks of the selected pair of disks, wherein disks that are operably engaged in the cavities are spatially separated more adjacent the second disk contacting surface than at the first disk contacting surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first and second contacting surfaces are supported by extensible members and thereby moveable between a contacting engagement mode and a clearingly disengaged mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the disks define central apertures, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a mandrel that is insertable in the apertures and defining supporting engagement features that are spaced to match the spacings of the inner surfaces of the disks defining the central apertures.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mandrel defines at least 50 supporting engagement features.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mandrel defines fewer than 50 supporting engagement features.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first cavity is sized to receivingly engage the selected pair of disks in a gap merge configuration.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first cavity is sized to receivingly engage the selected pair of disks in a contact merge configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the extensible members are diametrically opposed.