The effects of actuator arm geometry on airflow and read/write head off-track vibration in a modeled hard disk drive. Part I: the effects of actuator arm thickness

It is of paramount importance to understand the nature and characteristics of the flow in hard disk drives (HDDs), and the aerodynamic mechanisms that drive structural vibrations. It is also of interest to develop the capability to assess aerodynamic disturbances in different flow environments. Research of the flow and flow-induced vibration in HDDs has been carried out in configurations of varying degrees of geometric complexity. In this paper, the results of an experimental investigation of the effects of E-block arm thickness on the head off-track vibration and the airflow in a modeled HDD are presented.