Free Newsletters :




Enter a keyword...
...or choose a category.
actuator
Last modified: Thursday, October 19, 2006 

The part of a hard disk to which the read/write arms attaches. All the heads are attached to a single head actuator, also called an actuator arm, that moves the heads around the platters.  Older hard drives used a stepper motor actuator, which moved the heads based on a motor reacting to stepper pulses. Modern hard drives use a voice coil actuator, which controls the movement of a coil toward or away from a permanent magnet based on the amount of current flowing through it. This guidance system is called a servo.

See also Webopedia's "Did You Know... What's Inside a Hard Drive?"

Sponsored listings

Actuators - Provider of automated and manual valves. Categories include ball, butterfly, plug and integral (valve/actuator), as well as accessories.

Clippard: Actuators - Provides a line of miniature pneumatic products, including air cylinders, electronic and control valves, tubing, hoses, fittings, and modular valves.

Techna-Tool: Actuators - Supplies reliable tool monitoring systems to high production metal cutting manufacturers, including monitoring of actuators.

Related Categories

Hard Disk Drives

Related Terms

cylinder

cylinder zero

hard disk

hard disk drive

hard disk type

head

physical drive

platter

read/write head

spindle

Shopping
actuator Products
Compare Products,Prices and Stores

Shop by Category:
Auto Parts and Accessories
12307 Store Offers

Plumbing Supplies
2551 Store Offers

Building Supplies
2284 Store Offers

Tools and Accessories
103 Store Offers

  Related Links

HardwareCentral
Resource site offering news and information about PC hardware elements. Includes timely feature articles and sections on optimization and troubleshooting.







internet.commediabistro.comJusttechjobs.comGraphics.com

Search:

WebMediaBrands Corporate Info

Legal Notices, Licensing, Permissions, Privacy Policy.
Advertise | Newsletters | Shopping | E-mail Offers | Freelance Jobs