Hard Drive Shredding Device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

p-0002This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/392,752, entitled “Hard Drive Shredding Device”, filed Oct. 13, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

p-0003This application relates generally to a device for destroying the data on a hard drive and more particularly, to a device for shredding the data collecting platters of the hard drive so that the data thereon is completely destroyed.

BACKGROUND

p-0004Various types of data are stored on the hard drives of computers. Such data may include personal confidential information concerning individuals. This data may include their social security numbers, financial information, health information and private telephone numbers as examples. The hard drives are also used to store corporate information which may include proprietary information such as developing products, customer lists, and business plans. The government may store confidential information including highly classified information on the hard drives.

p-0005When it is desired to replace the computer, the data must be removed from the hard drive so that it cannot be misused by unscrupulous individuals. Merely erasing the data by using the computer commands is not sufficient as the data can be recaptured. This is true even if the hard drive is removed for upgrade purposes. However, even if the hard drive is removed, something must be done to destroy the data.

p-0006One way of ensuring that the data cannot be used or recovered from an unwanted hard drive is to completely destroy the hard drive. This has been accomplished in the past by completely shredding the entire hard drive. However, as the hard drive is encased in a metal, the complete destruction involves the shredding of a relatively large volume of metal that requires a lot of energy. It is thus desirable to have a process and apparatus for destroying the data on a hard drive that is more energy efficient.

SUMMARY

p-0007According to one aspect there is provided a method of destroying data on a hard drive having at least one platter on which data is entered and surrounding a central hub comprising shredding the at least one platter, and leaving at least substantially all of the hub unshredded.

p-0008According to another aspect there is provided an apparatus for destroying data on a hard drive having at least one platter on which data is stored and surrounding a central hub and comprising at least one cutting tool for shredding the platters and means for moving said hard drive or said at least one cutting tool so that the at least one platter is shredded by said cutting tool while at least substantially all of the hub remains unshredded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0009<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an isometric view of a hard drive shredder;

p-0010<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a front side view of the hard drive shredder;

p-0011<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a rear side view of the hard drive shredder;

p-0012<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a top view of the hard drive shredder;

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a sectional view taken along the lines A-A of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>;

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a side view of a portion of the shredder showing the spindle head in its position where it has engaged a hard drive (the hard drive is not shown);

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a top plan view with a portion of the shredder eliminated to show the drive for the spindle head;

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is an isometric view with a portion of the shredder eliminated to show the linear actuator used to move the spindle head:

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a side view of the shredder showing the mounting of various electronic switches;

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a top plan view of the shredder showing the chamber with the stop plate raised;

p-0019<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a side view showing a hard drive being inserted into the chamber between the thrust spindle and the spindle head;

p-0020<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a top view showing the spindle head being moved into engagement with the hard drive to clamp the hard drive;

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is an isometric side view showing the stop plate in its raised position, but with the gate latch opened;

p-0022<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a view similar to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> showing the gate latch opened and the stop blocks rotated out of the chamber;

p-0023<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is a plan view of a hard drive with the cover removed;

p-0024<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a top plan view of a hard drive after the platters have been shredded;

p-0025<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17</figref>, <b>18</b> and <b>19</b> are schematic drawings of various circuitry:

p-0026<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> is a schematic side view of a cutting chamber showing another aspect of the present disclosure;

p-0027<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref> is a schematic side view of the cutting tool used with the aspect shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>;

p-0028<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> is a back view of a cutting chamber showing still another aspect of the present disclosure;

p-0029<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> is a side view of a cutting chamber showing a further aspect of the present disclosure;

p-0030<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> is a back view showing a still further aspect of the present disclosure;

p-0031<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref> is a schematic side view showing still another aspect of the present disclosure;

p-0032<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref> is a schematic side view showing a yet another aspect of the present invention; and

p-0033<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref> is a schematic top view of the aspect shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 26</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

p-0034Referring to the drawings, the shredding device comprises a frame <b>2</b> having spaced parallel plates <b>4</b> and <b>6</b> mounted thereon to define a chamber <b>8</b> there between to receive the hard drive to be shredded. A thrust spindle <b>10</b> extends into the chamber from one of the spaced plates <b>6</b> and a spindle head <b>12</b> is coaxially mounted with respect to the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and extends into the chamber from the other plate <b>4</b>. The thrust spindle <b>10</b> is rotatably mounted in the plate <b>6</b> while the spindle head <b>12</b> is rotatably mounted in the plate <b>4</b> and is also mounted for axial movement toward and away from the thrust spindle <b>10</b>.

p-0035A milling cutter <b>14</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>), or other appropriate cutting tool, extends into the chamber <b>8</b> from the plate <b>6</b> and is transversely spaced from the thrust spindle <b>10</b>. The milling cutter <b>14</b> is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and spindle head <b>12</b> and also for movement in a horizontal plane such that its axis is moveable toward and away from the axis of the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and spindle head <b>12</b>. A motor <b>16</b> is provided for rotating the milling cutter <b>14</b> while a linear actuator <b>18</b> is provided for imparting the horizontal movement to the milling cutter.

p-0036The spindle head <b>12</b> is rotated by means of an electric motor <b>20</b> and drive connection <b>22</b>. Axial movement is imparted to the spindle head <b>12</b> by a linear actuator <b>24</b>.

p-0037A stop plate <b>26</b> is pivotally mounted on a shaft <b>28</b> extending between the two opposed plates <b>4</b> and <b>6</b> and includes stop blocks <b>30</b> extending from the stop plate <b>26</b>. The stop plate <b>26</b> is pivotal in an upward direction such that the stop blocks <b>30</b> extend into the chamber <b>8</b>. A gate latch <b>32</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>) is provided which extends between the two plates <b>6</b> and <b>8</b> when the stop plate <b>26</b> is in its raised position with one end <b>34</b> being pivotally connected to the outer edge of one of the plates <b>6</b> and the other end <b>36</b> having a U-shaped cutout <b>38</b> which is adapted to hook around a bolt <b>40</b> extending into the outer edge of the other plate member <b>8</b>. The gate latch <b>32</b> serves to hold the stop plate <b>26</b> in its raised position with the stop blocks <b>30</b> extending into the chamber <b>8</b>.

p-0038More specifically, the motor <b>16</b> which drives the milling cutter <b>14</b> is mounted on a frame plate <b>42</b> attached to four legs <b>44</b> of the frame <b>2</b>. The motor <b>16</b> includes an output shaft <b>46</b> having a motor pulley <b>48</b> thereon. A drive pulley <b>50</b> is provided directly below the motor pulley <b>48</b> and is drivingly connected to the motor pulley <b>48</b> by an appropriate drive belt (not shown).

p-0039The drive pulley <b>50</b> is connected through a series of drive shafts, universal joints and gear arrangement to the mill cutter. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, a first drive shaft <b>52</b> shaft extends from the drive pulley <b>50</b> to a second drive shaft <b>54</b> and is connected thereto by a first universal joint <b>56</b>. The second drive shaft <b>54</b> is interconnected by a second universal joint <b>58</b> to a third drive shaft <b>60</b>. The third drive shaft <b>60</b> is connected at one end to the second universal joint <b>58</b> and has its other end mounted in a bearing secured in a slide assembly <b>62</b>. The slide assembly <b>62</b> is mounted on the frame <b>2</b> for transverse reciprocal sliding motion with respect thereto in a horizontal direction. A gear <b>64</b> is secured to the third drive shaft <b>60</b> adjacent the end of the drive shaft <b>60</b> that is mounted in the slide assembly <b>62</b>.

p-0040As shown particularly in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the milling cutter <b>14</b> has a rearward extending shaft <b>66</b> that extends into an adapter <b>68</b> mounted in the slide assembly <b>62</b>. A shaft <b>70</b> extends from the adapter <b>68</b> in a direction away from milling cutter <b>14</b>. The shaft <b>70</b> has a gear <b>72</b> attached thereto which is in engagement with the gear <b>64</b> on the third drive shaft <b>60</b>. With this arrangement, the milling cutter <b>14</b> is rotated by the motor <b>16</b> through the drive shafts <b>52</b>, <b>54</b><b>60</b> interconnected by the universal joints <b>56</b> and <b>58</b>, meshing gears <b>64</b> and <b>72</b>, shaft <b>70</b> and adapter <b>68</b> connected to the shaft <b>66</b> of the milling cutter <b>14</b>, while being capable of being moved transversely in a horizontal direction by the slide assembly <b>62</b>.

p-0041The motor <b>16</b> which drives the milling cutter <b>14</b> may be of any suitable type capable of imparting suitable rotation and torque to the mill cutter <b>14</b>. By way of example the motor may be Worldwide Electric model CM2-36-56 which is a two horsepower, 3450 RPM 115/240 BAC compression motor.

p-0042The transverse horizontal movement of the milling cutter <b>14</b> is provided by a linear actuator <b>18</b> mounted on the side of the frame <b>2</b>. The linear actuator <b>18</b> includes an actuator arm <b>76</b> which is reciprocal along its axis and has a distal end connected to the slide assembly <b>62</b>. The linear actuator <b>18</b> is electrically actuated with the arm <b>76</b> reciprocating in an axial direction such that the slide assembly <b>62</b> is moved in a direction toward and away from the axis of the thrust spindle. The milling cutter <b>14</b> is mounted in the slide assembly <b>62</b> so that upon movement of the actuator rod in an axial direction, the milling cutter <b>14</b> is moved toward and away from the axis of the thrust spindle <b>10</b>.

p-0043The linear actuator <b>18</b> for moving the milling cutter <b>14</b> in a transverse, horizontal direction may be any suitable actuator having a sufficient stroke and force to properly the move the milling cutter <b>14</b>. An example of such an actuator is a 3 7/16 inch stroke 120 VAC linear actuator manufactured by Gentech Inc. and sold by Surplus Center of Lincoln, Nebr. under Item #5-1580.

p-0044As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 5</figref>, the spindle head <b>12</b> is rotated by means of the motor <b>20</b> that has a drive gear <b>78</b> attached to its drive shaft <b>80</b>. The gear <b>78</b> meshes with a gear <b>82</b> mounted at one end of a shaft <b>84</b> extending parallel to the drive shaft <b>80</b> of the motor <b>20</b> and having a bevel gear <b>86</b> positioned at the other end of the shaft. The bevel gear <b>86</b> meshes with a bevel gear <b>88</b> mounted on a shaft <b>90</b> connected to and extending from the spindle head <b>12</b> such that rotation of the drive gear <b>78</b> of the motor, in turn, drives the gear <b>82</b> driving the bevel gear <b>86</b> which, in turn, drives the bevel gear <b>88</b> on the shaft <b>90</b> connected to the spindle head <b>12</b> causing the rotation thereof.

p-0045The motor <b>20</b> for rotating the spindle head <b>12</b> may be any suitable motor that provides the proper speed and necessary torque for turning the spindle head <b>12</b>. By way of example, such motor may be 1.0 RPM, torque 100, 115V, open motor manufactured by Dayton, model no. 1 LNG2, and sold by W.W. Grainger, Inc. of Lake Forest, Ill.

p-0046The spindle head <b>12</b> is moved in an axial direction toward and away from the thrust spindle <b>10</b> by means of a linear actuator <b>24</b> that is mounted on the frame and has an actuator rod <b>92</b> extending coaxially with the axis of the spindle head <b>12</b>. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the actuator rod <b>92</b> has its distal end <b>94</b> attached to an H-shaped clamping member <b>96</b> by means of a dowel <b>98</b> extending through an elongated slot <b>100</b> in the clamping member and through an opening in the distal end <b>94</b> of the actuator rod. The shaft <b>90</b> of the spindle head <b>12</b> extends through a thrust coupler <b>102</b> (<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>) that is mounted in the clamping member <b>96</b> which allows the spindle head shaft to rotate relative to the clamping member <b>96</b> but imparts axial movement to the spindle head shaft <b>90</b> when the actuator rod <b>92</b> is moved in its axial direction.

p-0047Any suitable linear actuator may be used for imparting the axial movement to the spindle head <b>12</b> that is capable of providing the necessary thrust toward the thrust spindle. An example of one such actuator is a 1.65 inch, 115 VAC, linear actuator manufactured by Hepa Company and sold by Surplus Center of Lincoln, Nebr. under item number 5-1463.

p-0048As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, a control panel <b>104</b> may be mounted on the frame <b>2</b> and include an emergency stop button <b>106</b> as well as a clamping switch <b>108</b> and an unclamping switch <b>110</b>. Also included are an in feed switch <b>112</b> and a rotate switch <b>114</b>. A feed safety toggle switch <b>116</b> is provided that is moveable between an on and off position.

p-0049In general, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, the hard drive <b>118</b> includes generally a central rotatable hub or spindle <b>120</b>, a cover <b>122</b> (shown removed), and an end <b>124</b> with connector pins. At least one data receiving platter <b>126</b> having a surface upon which data is written is attached to and surrounds the central hub <b>120</b>. The shredding device serves to shred the data receiving platters <b>126</b> and reduce it to shards so nothing remains in a physical condition from which any data can be retrieved. The hub <b>120</b> is not shredded.

p-0050To shred the hard drive <b>118</b>, the feed safety toggle switch <b>116</b> on the control panel <b>104</b> is flipped to the on position and the emergency stop button <b>106</b> is pulled out. The stop plate <b>26</b> is positioned in its up position as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 13</figref>, held in place by the gate latch <b>32</b>, with the stop blocks <b>30</b> extending into the chamber <b>8</b>. The hard drive <b>118</b> is positioned in the chamber <b>8</b> such that the cover <b>122</b> faces toward the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and the end <b>124</b> with the connector pins faces upwardly. The hard drive <b>118</b> is slid into engagement with the stop blocks <b>30</b> to center the hard drive <b>118</b> horizontally. The hard drive <b>118</b> is inserted so that its hub <b>120</b> is centered on the axis of the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and spindle head <b>12</b> as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>.

p-0051At this point, the clamp switch <b>108</b> located on the control panel <b>104</b> is depressed and held to cause the spindle head <b>12</b> to move toward the thrust spindle <b>10</b> clamping the hard drive between the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and the spindle head <b>12</b> as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>. The spindle head <b>12</b> and thrust spindle <b>14</b> are provided with pins <b>130</b> for engaging the hard drive <b>118</b>.

p-0052The feed safety toggle switch <b>116</b> is toggled to the off position which will permit the milling cutter <b>14</b> to be moved. The in feed button <b>114</b> is depressed and released which will commence the shredding cycle. This causes the linear actuator <b>18</b> to move the rotating milling cutter <b>14</b> in a transverse direction toward the axis of the thrust spindle <b>10</b>. The transverse movement of the milling cutter <b>14</b> is completed when the milling cutter <b>14</b> has cut into the hard drive <b>118</b> to a point adjacent the hub <b>120</b> of the hard drive <b>118</b> at which time the horizontal movement of the milling cutter <b>14</b> is discontinued. A limit switch (not shown) may be provided to limit the transverse movement of the milling cutter <b>14</b>.

p-0053At this point, the gate latch <b>32</b> is opened and the stop plate <b>26</b> is rotated into its down position withdrawing the stop blocks <b>30</b> from the chamber <b>8</b> permitting the hard drive <b>8</b> to be rotated about the axis of the thrust spindle <b>10</b>. The rotate button <b>114</b> on the control panel <b>104</b> is pushed and released to initiate the rotation of the spindle head <b>12</b> which in turn rotates the hard drive <b>118</b> around the axis of its hub <b>120</b> so that the milling cutter <b>14</b> cuts a circular path around the hub axis.

p-0054After the hard drive <b>118</b> is rotated 360 degrees, completely shredding the hard drive platters <b>126</b>, the milling cutter <b>14</b> returns to the start position. The main drive motor shuts off and the feed safety toggle switch <b>116</b> is switched to the on position. The unclamp button <b>110</b>, located on the control panel <b>104</b>, is pressed and held until the spindle head <b>12</b> is fully retracted back to its initial position.

p-0055To provide for different size hard drives, the thrust spindle <b>10</b> and spindle head <b>12</b> are replaceable with spindles of different sizes. Additionally, the stop plate <b>26</b> is replaceable with one having stop blocks <b>30</b> of the correct size. The limit switch (not shown), setting the limit of the in feed horizontal movement of the milling cutter, can also be moved to accommodate hard drives of different dimensions.

p-0056<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a schematic circuit diagram for the controller. This circuit accepts input from the operator which is directed to the controller to initiate the hard drive shredding process. The circuit also directs input from limit switches to the controller to monitor the rotational position of the hard drive indexing unit, the position of the hard drive in-feed unit, and the hard drive positioning gate. These input states are used by the controllers to control the feed actuator and the rotation motor. The feed actuator translates the cutter into the hard drive in order to effect shredding. The rotation motor rotates the hard drive while engaged with the cutter in order to assure complete hard drive platter destruction.

p-0057<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> is a schematic diagram of the electronic circuitry for the motor for controlling the spindle. This circuit accepts input from the motor limit switch and motor override switches which is directed to controller one, which governs the operation of the spindle motor.

p-0058<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19</figref> is an electrical diagram of the circuitry for the linear actuator for moving the spindle head. This figure presents a detail of a portion of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>. This detail presents the momentary switches which control the clamping/un-clamping of the hard drive during shredding. The clamps described here hold the hard drive securely during engagement with the cutter.

p-0059<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20 and 21</figref> show one method of providing cooling to reduce the temperature of the hard drive during processing. The mill cutter <b>14</b> or other appropriate cutting tool which is adapted to shred the hard drive in the cutting chamber <b>8</b> is provided with holes <b>132</b> in the periphery of its cutting edge <b>134</b>. These holes <b>132</b> communicated with a passageway <b>136</b> in the cutter <b>14</b> that is connected to a source of cold air. During the cutting operation, cold air is forced out of the holes <b>132</b> to cool the hard drive.

p-0060<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 22</figref> shows an arrangement in which cold air is force directly into the cutting chamber <b>8</b>. Cold air ducts <b>138</b> are provided which have an outlet <b>140</b> opening directly into the chamber <b>8</b>. The cold air ducts <b>138</b> are connected to a source of pressurized cold air (not shown) whereby cold air is forced through the ducts <b>138</b> into the cutting chamber <b>8</b>.

p-0061<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23</figref> shows a cooling fan <b>142</b> used for cooling the chamber <b>8</b>. The fan <b>142</b> is mounted to the side of the chamber <b>8</b> which has passages <b>144</b> therein providing air flow from the chamber <b>8</b> through the fan <b>142</b> into the atmosphere. Running of the fan draws hot air from the chamber during the shredding operation.

p-0062<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref> shows the provision of vacuum ducts <b>146</b> which are provided at the bottom and side of the cutting chamber <b>8</b> in communication therewith. The ducts <b>146</b> are connected to a vacuum source so that during the shredding operation, the vacuum can draw the hot air out of the chamber <b>8</b>. The vacuum ducts <b>146</b> may also serve to remove the metal shavings from the chamber and draw them into a collection chamber (not shown).

p-0063While <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 21-24</figref> shown different arrangements to cool the hard drive during processing, it is to be understood that any one or combination of them can be used.

p-0064<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref> shows schematically another method of operating the shredder. A single cutting tool <b>150</b> is mounted in a suitable mechanism that is guided in a track to move the cutting tool <b>150</b> toward the hub <b>120</b> of the hard drive <b>118</b>. Once the rotating cutting blade pierces the outer portion of the hard drive <b>118</b> and reaches the platter hub <b>120</b>, moving along the path indicated by the arrows (1), the cutting tool <b>150</b> follows a clockwise 360-degree cutting track around the platter hub <b>120</b>, indicated by arrows (2), shredding the hard drive <b>118</b> platters <b>126</b> so that the only thing that remains of the hard drive platters <b>126</b> are small metal shavings. Once the cutting tool <b>150</b> has completed the 360-degree cutting path around the hub <b>120</b>, the cutting tool <b>150</b> returns to the start position along the path indicated by arrows (3), and the shredder automatically shuts off.

p-0065<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26 and 27</figref> show schematically yet another method of operating the shredder utilizing two cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b>. As shown, the cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> are mounted one to either side of the hard drive <b>118</b>. The cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> are mounted on suitable mechanisms that can be moved in tracks to move each cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> toward the hub <b>120</b> of the hard drive <b>118</b>. Once the rotating cutting blades <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> pierce the outer portions of the hard drive <b>118</b> and reach the platter hub <b>120</b>, the mechanisms move the cutting tools <b>152</b> around an axis extending through the center of the hub <b>120</b> as shown. The cutting tool <b>152</b> is moved clockwise from nine to three o'clock and the other cutting tool <b>154</b> is moved clockwise from three to nine o'clock around the platter hub <b>120</b> as indicated by the arrows (2) leaving only shavings.

p-0066Once the cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> complete the 180-degree cutting path around the platter hub <b>120</b>, the movement of the cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> is reversed and the cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> are returned to their original position and the shredder automatically shuts off.

p-0067A slight modification to the embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26 and 27</figref> is for the cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> to be mounted in a mechanism above the hard drive. In this case, the cutting tools <b>152</b> and <b>154</b> bore into the hard drive <b>118</b> from the top rather than enter from the sides of the hard drive <b>118</b> before starting their move around the hub <b>120</b>.

p-0068While the disclosure includes a number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope should be limited only by the attached claims.