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Nicholas Haley

Hard Disk Construction



The hard disk is made up of several components, listed below:

  • Disk Platters - physical surface on which data is kept
  • Spindle Shaft - on which platters are mounted in cylinder
  • Spindle Motor - rotates platters
  • Electromagnetic read/write heads - one per surface of platters
  • Access Arms - off which the heads are suspended
  • Actuator - moves the arms
  • Preamplifier Circuitry - to maximize read/write signals
  • Air Filter and Pressure Vent - prevent dust from entering the case


Some of the above components are shown in the diagrams below:




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