Patent ID: 7160172
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: B24B

Abstract:
1. A multi-station disk finishing system for digital memory media disks comprising in operative combination: a) a robotic handler for receiving un-processed disk substrates from an incoming carrier, sequentially loading un-processed disks for finish processing, and unloading processed disks to an outgoing carrier; b) a multi-spindle disk processor unit, including an array of processing station positions and a plurality of rotationally driven spindles, at least one spindle for each processing station position; c) said robotic handler sequentially loads onto said spindles each of a plurality of disks for processing at said processing stations, and from which spindles said robotic handler unloads disks to said outgoing carrier after processing; d) a tape finishing unit, including at least two driven tape magazine assemblies, each magazine assembly being disposed in cooperative alignment with an individual one of said processing stations; and e) a disk processor controller for synchronously sequencing the operation of said robotic handler, said spindles at each station and said tape finishing unit to provide substantially continuous progression of un-processed disks to, from and between all processing stations to a completed, processed disk, and for text messaging to an operator console.