Patent ID: 6651340
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: F16C,G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of pre-loading a pivot assembly having a sleeve, a shaft, and a bearing therebetween, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a base and a tool having two degrees of rotational freedom; (b) placing the pivot assembly on the base; (c) moving one of the base and the tool toward the other such that the tool contacts the bearing of the pivot assembly and applies a uniform, compliant, pro-load force to the pivot assembly around a ball compliment circumference of the bearing such that an inner ring and an outer ring of the bearing float and that raceways of the rings self-align under the pre-load force; and wherein step (c) further comprises; moving a sphere within a tool enclosure to achieve compliance until the sphere makes contact with the bearing and a tool platen.