IDE – Experimental Engineering

Posted on March 2, 2011February 10, 2011 by The Engineer — Leave a comment

USB-IDE/SATA Adaptor

This is a device to use an IDE or SATA interface drive via a USB connection. Here is the front of the device, IDE interface at the bottom, 2.5″ form factor.

PCB removed from the casing. USB cable exits the top, 12v DC power jack to the left.
SATA interface below the DC Jack.
Molex connector below SATA is the power output for the drive in use. This unit has a built in 5v regulator.

Bottom of the PCB showing the interface IC.

Adaptor to plug into the 44-pin 2.5″ form factor IDE interface on the adaptor, converts to standard 40-pin 3.5″ IDE.

Power pigtail with standard Molex & SATA power plugs.

Posted on February 16, 2011February 10, 2011 by The Engineer — Leave a comment

IDE Zip Drive

An old IDE interface Zip drive. This fits in a standard 3.5″ bay.

Top cover removed from the drive, IDE & power interfaces at the top, in centre is the eject solenoid assembly & the head assembly. Bottom is the spindle drive motor.

Head assembly with the top magnet removed. Voice coil is on the left, with the head preamp IC next to it. Head chips are on the end of the arm inside the parking sleeve on the right. Blue lever is the head lock.

Controller PCB removed from the casing.

Spindle motor. This is a 3-phase DC brushless type motor. Magnetic ring on the top engages with the hub of the Zip disk when insterted into the drive.

Magnets that interact with the voice coil on the head assembly.

Head armature assembly removed from the drive. The arm is supported by a pair of linear bearings & a stainless steel rod.