Hard Disk Actuators for Mini Teleoperation

Hard disk drives have evolved rapidly with computer miniaturization into highly compact and integrated electromechanical systems. Hard drives contain many precision mechanical parts which may prove useful in the design of small precision robots. The advantages of parts taken from hard disks include low cost, miniaturization, high quality, and for some applications, cleanliness. We report the results of engineering tests on flat coil head positioning actuators taken from hard drives of sizes ranging from 5.25” to 1.8” media diameter. We also perform a simple analysis which suggests that requirements for torque per unit mass are lower for small robot arms. The results suggest ways that hard disk actuators can be utilized in mini robotic designs and points the way towards improved versions of these designs for robotic purposes.