Tolerance analysis of pivot ball bearing in hard disk drive

Abstract

This paper explains the tolerance study of a pivot ball bearing of the actuator-arm mechanism in the hard disk drive (HDD), which can be generated a mathematical modeling equation. The mathematical modeling equation can describe the relation of the individual part dimensions which affects the clearance or interference. Moreover, it can used for model developments, assembly problem analysis and complete assembly predictions. This study is based on the worst case analysis and statistical analysis which provide the maximum clearance and minimum clearance expressed in the Min/Max Chart. With the common tolerance analysis methods, the Min/Max Charts are combined with the Parametric Simulation to generate the mathematical modeling equation by linear regression analysis. The result of the worst case analysis differs from the mathematical modeling equation -0.87% in nominal gap, 9.72% in maximum gap, and -18.60% in minimum gap. In addition, the results of statistical analysis differ from mathematical modeling equation -0.87% in nominal gap, 2.26% in maximum gap and -6.25% in minimum gap.