Laser weld chassis assembly process for tolerance nullification
AssigneeIomega Corporation
InventorsEdward L. Rich, Ross W. Bishop
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process for assembling a storage device such as a disk drive storage device using a laser welding technique. A welding fixture holds a storage device component in a predefined three dimensional location with a small gap relative to a second component so that improved dimensional accuracy is achieved. This welding of components that do not touch allows for assembly tolerances that are independent of component tolerances. The welding fixture can use magnetic force.
Claims17
A process for assembling a storage device, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a first storage device component proximate a second storage device component such that a gap remains between the first and second components;
- welding said first component to said second component so that a portion of at least one of said first component and said second component puddles into the gap such that said first component is joined to said second component.
The process as recited in claim 6 wherein said radiation beam comprises a laser beam.
A process for assembling a first component in relation to a second component in three-dimensional space, comprising the steps of:
- fixing a chassis in space, said chassis having a first mounting opening for said first component and a second mounting opening for said second component;
- positioning said first and second components in the mounting openings so that the position of said first component relative to said second component is within a predefined positional tolerance, and wherein at least one of said first and said second components is positioned in the mounting opening so that there is no contact between the component and the chassis;
- and,
- welding said first component and said second component to said chassis.
A process for assembling a disk drive having a plurality of components, comprising the steps of:
- fixing a first component in three dimensional space;
- positioning a second component in predefined three dimensional space relative to said first component;
- positioning a chassis proximate said first and said second component so that the spacial relationship between first component, the second component, wherein predefined dimensional tolerances are maintained and wherein the positioning of said chassis does not effect the positions of the first component and the second component;
- welding said components to said chassis using a high energy radiation beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.