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US 7,682,546 B2Granted
Disk alignment apparatus and method for patterned media production
AssigneeWD Media, LLC
InventorBruce M. Harper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for aligning a disk with an imprinting surface is described. In one embodiment, the method includes passively aligning an imprinting surface with the disk and imprinting the disk with the imprinting surface. A first air-bearing mandrel freely guides a first centerline of the disk into coincident alignment with a second centerline of the imprinting surface.
Claims17
A method, comprising:
- providing a disk having a substantially circular opening defined by an inner diameter (ID);
- providing a die set having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having a first air-bearing mandrel moveably coupled thereto, the lower portion having an imprinting surface disposed thereon and facing the upper portion;
- passively aligning the imprinting surface with the disk by freely guiding a first centerline of the disk into coincident alignment with a second centerline of the imprinting surface using the first air-bearing mandrel, wherein an axial movement of the first air-bearing mandrel relative to the upper portion guides the ID and the first centerline of the disk into coincident alignment with the second centerline of the imprinting surface;
- and
- imprinting the disk with the imprinting surface.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.