The hard disk drive is one of the finest examples of the precision control of mechatronics, with tolerances less than one micrometer achieved while operating at high speed. Increasing demand for higher data density as well as disturbance-prone operating environments continue to test designers’ mettle. Explore the challenges presented by modern hard disk drives and learn how to overcome them with Hard Disk Drive : Mechatronics and Control.

Beginning with an overview of hard disk drive history, components, operating principles, and industry trends, the authors thoroughly examine the design and manufacturing challenges. They start with the head positioning servomechanism followed by the design of the actuator servo controller, the critical aspects of spindle motor control, and finally, the servo track writer, a critical technology in hard disk drive manufacturing. By comparing various design approaches for both single- and dual-stage servomechanisms, the book shows the relative pros and cons of each approach. Numerous examples and figures clarify and illustrate the discussion.

Exploring practical issues such as models for plants, noise reduction, disturbances, and common problems with spindle motors, Hard Disk Drive : Mechatronics and Control avoids heavy theory in favor of providing hands-on insight into real issues facing designers every day.

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2 Responses to “Hard Disk Drive: Mechatronics and Control (Automation and Control Engineering)”

1. Sum1Nil says:

   March 3, 2010 at 12:00 am

   I bought this book to better understand the fundamentals of the Hard Drive itself and not software and Operating Systems. I found this book to have a logical topic progression and a sweeping review of Hard Drive fundamentals. It delivered what I needed in an effective manner with plenty of tables and diagrams to aid understanding.

   Another review of this book stated it was lacking on discussing some aspects, like the physics of magnetism, but my intention was simply to garner a better understanding of the mechanical/electrical parts of a Hard Drive. There are plenty enough math ideas to ponder for me, but perhaps if one is an Engineering Student you might enjoy additional formulas and deeper physics. However, especially for those of us who simply want a more concrete understanding of what happens inside the Hard Disk, this book is very useful.

   The only negative I found was the sometimes odd phrasing, but the book repeats the main points in numerous ways to make itself understandable even for those of us who are ‘layman’.

   I would have given 5 stars and not 4 if it was offered at a lower price.

   Reply
2. A. Ramakrishnan says:

   December 2, 2008 at 12:00 am

   I have been searching for a good book on hard disk drives. I believe

   this is a good one from the point of view of control engineering. Important topics are adequately covered with a good introduction to the

   design of the hard disk drive itself.

   However, if you are looking for book to understand Physics of hard disk

   drives – GMR, perpendicular recording etc., — this is not the one.

   As it says, it is an engineering book on Mechatronics as it applies to

   the design of hard disk drives.

   Reply