[sci.electronics] Disk drive testing

tindle@ms.uky.edu (Ken Tindle) (02/22/89)

I have a need to test a variety of floppy disk drives used in IBM and other
machines.  I would like to take on everything from SSSD 5 1/4" to the 1.44
Meg stiffies.  Is this kind of thing practical?  This university has a pool
of various and sundry machines, all with a floppy drive(s).  There has been
discussion on the possibility of setting up a repair service for these.

I recall seeing plans in a magazine for a project that could provide a way
to step, do head loads, provide power, etc. that would use a microcontroller
board so that the testing could be machine-independent.  Anyone else seen
something like this?

I bring this up because it seems to me that although there are many para-
meters needed to define any one drive, they all seem to operate in the same
fundamental way with the same fundamental pieces.

I expect to need alignment disks and service manuals from manufacturers',
like Tandon, Teac, et al.  Anybody have addresses for drive manufacturers?

There is money to buy specialized test equipment up to a certain point.  I
already have access to things like 'scopes, of course.  Building a test jig
from pieces is okay if that proves more prudent than ready-made.  But I'm
not certain what's available in ready-made form.

I am mostly concerned with troubleshooting drive *mechanics*, not really
all that interested in the servo boards.  Especially on the latest and 
greatest high density drives using custom SMD chips.  I suspect many drives
fail from dirt, wear, or misalignment, not from electronic causes. 

Please reply by either e-mail or post, I do read this group regularly. Thanks.

--------------------------\ /------------------------------------------
INTERNET:tindle@ms.uky.edu | "I heard you." -Kirk 
BITNET:tindle@ukma.bitnet  | "He simply could not believe his ears."     
Ken Tindle - Lexington, KY | -Spock, The Trouble With Tribbles
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ritchie@hpldola.HP.COM (Dave Ritchie) (03/11/89)

  Dysan makes a controller box called a PAT. It works with the digital
alignment diskettes to perform quick go/no go testing of standard drive
mechs. It also allows read/write testing, formatting, track positioning, etc.
We use one of this in our manufacturing group. It is kind of pricey
($1600?). There are several other boxes that do like for less money, but
I have only seen catalog descriptions of them.

					Dave