Abstract

In the analysis of disk drive actuator performance, several techniques are used, including finite element analysis, frequency domain analysis, and time domain analysis. The finite element analysis is used to obtain the natural modes and frequencies of the actuators, baseplate, spindle, and other mechanical components. These results are primarily used to understand the resonant frequencies of the components and the system as a whole, with an eye toward designing servo systems which do not interact with these structural modes in a deleterious way. The servo electronics are usually analyzed separately in either a frequency domain or a time domain analysis, and the structural effects of the actuators and other mechanical components are either ignored or simply modeled as a one or two degree of freedom lumped mass.

© 1991 Optical Society of America