Hi
I'd say that one should be able to create an alignment
disk. There are twobasic types I've seen. One should be
relatively easy the other is a little tougher.
The tougher one is the analog one where two signals
are recorded right next to each other and one is
1 cycle per revolution different than the other.
This generates the cats eye. The problem making this
type is creating the track width data that over laps.
Most head also have an erase field that would need
to be turned off. This is used to clear any noise
from older misaligned heads.
The next is getting
the overwriting just right
so the center of the signal is exactly on the
alignment track.
The next type is realively easy to create since
it requires little modification other than a method
of moving the head by small amounts.
One records small burst of signal with different
radial distance around the disk. The trick is here
that when looking at the output of the amplifier,
one sees steps up and down if it is aligned well
and just steps up or just down if off. This just
reqires a fine adjustement of the head possition
and a timed control of the write signal. A micrometer
should be enough to measure the position.
The trick is to know when the head is exactly aligned.
I suspect that the best way here is to write a signal
and then use some of the magnetic fluid to locate
the track written. Once the head location is calibrated,
one can use a uP to create the burst.
I'm sure I could create this at home.
Dwight
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