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Owens Design

Engineering, Technical Manufacturing and Program Management

CASE STUDIES

Enabling Volume Manufacturing for Hard Disk Drive Media

HDD manufacturing has a special place in Owens’ history. As an early entrant to the industry, we helped develop many of the media manufacturing systems the industry still uses today and shipped hundreds of tools to the leading drive makers. In fact, nearly all of the HDDs made today are still processed on Owens Design equipment. We have leveraged the expertise we gained from the HDD industry into the many emerging markets we work in today.

Business Proposition

For a recent project, one of the world’s largest hard disk drive manufacturers needed to introduce a new process to their factories worldwide on a compressed time schedule. This required that an entirely new media handling platform be developed that could meet the disparate requirements of each factory. Footprint, cleanliness, flexibility, and performance were all critical parameters.

Owens developed the common platform, integrated the process technology, and configured each system for its target location. Working with a manufacturing partner in a low cost region, Owens delivered hundreds of systems in a compressed timeframe, helping to enable the next generation of data storage performance.

Random access lifter presenting media to edge gripper

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Media swap on disk buffing tool

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Scara robot with automated end effector swap presenting disk

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Final systems awaiting shipment

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PVA style media scrubber with integrated cassette mechanism

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System in final test

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Processing modules during assembly

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Multi spindle horizontal turret for final buff

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Edge grip end effector loading to test chuck

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High speed surface scanning module

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ID end effector pick loading into saddle

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Input conveyor for cassettes

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Stacked process chambers with ergonomic load height

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Internal view of media brushing mechanism

Technical Details

  • Process Experience
    • Texture, Polish, Lube, FTP (buff and wipe)
    • Post polish, texture, and final clean
    • UV and IR cure
    • Optical Test (single, multiple spindle)
  • Substrates and Automation
    • Disk sizes: 21 – 95 mm OD; various ID and thickness
    • Aluminum and glass (coated and uncoated)
    • Dry, wet, high temp, vacuum
    • ID mandrels, grippers, suction; OD saddles, grippers, vacuum paddles
  • Factory Interface
    • Throughputs: > 1,000 pph
    • Class 1 cleanliness
    • Cassette management
    • Regulatory: SEMI, NFPA, UL, CE

Testimonial

“We have chosen Owens Design as our partner to help reduce product development times. Owens Design provides a complete outsourcing solution.”

Rusmin Kudinar, President, Candela Instruments

Services

  • Product Design & Build
  • Difficult-to-Outsource Manufacturing
  • Factory Equipment Design & Build

Markets

  • Semiconductor and Display Capital Equipment
  • Medical Device
  • Solar and Energy Storage
  • Data Storage
  • Emerging Technologies

Applications Expertise

  • Laser Process Development
  • Materials Handling
  • Process Technology Integration
  • Control Systems and Software
  • Flexible Manufacturing

About Us

  • Our Team
  • Career Opportunities
  • Blog • News & Events
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home

Case Studies

  • Wafer Flipper Module for Manufacturing Processes
  • Wafer Heat and Cool Stations
  • Semiconductor Platform for Metrology and Inspection
  • Phased Automation Strategy for Emerging Technology
  • Rapid Production Ramp in Solar Cell Processing
  • Expertise in Medical Technology Manufacturing
  • Enabling Volume Manufacturing for Hard Disk Drive Media
  • Optimizing Production Line for Assembly and Test
  • Product Upgrades for Film Frame Handling

Contact Information

Owens Design
47427 Fremont Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
Get Directions ›

T: 510.659.1800
F: 510.659.1896
Sales: 510.770.8479
sales@owensdesign.com

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Site Credit: Bright Bird Creative blank   :   Copyright © 2022, Owens Design, Inc. All rights reserved.

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