Nonplanar modeling and experimental validation of a spindle–disk system equipped with an automatic balancer system in optical disk drives

Non-planar dynamic modeling and experimental validation of a spindle–disk system equipped with an automatic ball-type balancer system (ABS) in optical disc drives are performed in this study. Recent studies about planar dynamic modeling and analysis have shown the capability of the ABS in spindle–disk assembly via counteracting the inherent imbalance. To extend the analysis to be practical, non-planar dynamic modeling are conducted in this study to re-affirm the pre-claimed capability of the ABS system, along with experiments being designed and conducted to validate the theoretical findings. Euler angles are first utilized to formulate potential and kinetic energies, which is followed by the application of Lagrange’s equation to derive governing equations of motion. Numerical simulations are next carried out to explore dynamic characteristics of the system. It is found that the levels of residual runout (radial vibration), as compared to those without the ABS, are significantly reduced, while the tilting angle of the rotating assembly can be kept small with the ABS installed below the inherent imbalance of the spindle–disk system. Experimental study is also conducted, and successfully validates the aforementioned theoretical findings. It is suggested that the users of the ABS need to cautiously operate the spindle motor out of the speeds close to the resonances associated with various degrees of freedom. In this way, the ABS could hold the expected capability of reducing vibration in all important directions, most importantly in radial directions.