The starting position
The manufacture of HDD clamps together with miniature and precision components represent the core business of Unisteel. Traditionally, these disc clamps have been produced by machining – a process which is not only highly time consuming and therefore expensive, but also incurs a high material wastage.
Fascination of technology
Hard disc drives (HDD) are one of the commonest data storage systems. They function by saving binary data to a thin film of ferro-magnetic material bonded to polymer discs through magnetisation. In use, these discs rotate at over 1,000 rpm. To ensure faultless data storage and retrieval the discs are retained by special clamps. Using stamping technology, Unisteel has been able to decisively improve the manufacturing process for these disc clamps, generating added value for both the customer and Unisteel.
Process optimization via stamping
Following intensive analysis and evaluation of alternative potential manufacturing solutions, the experts at Unisteel developed a process consisting of an initial stamping operation and subsequent machining of the clamps.
Added value for the customer and Unisteel
The outcome has been a win-win situation for the customer and Unisteel alike with an energy-saving, faster production cycle and more efficient use of materials resulting in lower overall costs. What’s more, the stamping process increases the mechanical stability of the disc clamps and thus their working lives.
HDD disc clamps: small parts meeting big demands
High purity is one of the key requirements of HDD disc clamps. To achieve this, ultrasonic cleaning, using special cleansing agents, is deployed. The reliability and precision of the cosmetic inspection procedure has been further enhanced by Unisteel using a blend of automatic and manual inspection techniques. This has served to reduce the failure rate to one part per million (ppm).
