Hard Drive Dismantling System

Abstract

A system and method for reclaiming select components containing rare earth metals of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives and destroying the data containing components thereof comprising first devices to loosen various components of the storage device, the components including the components containing the rare earth elements and the data containing portions. Second devices are provided for removing components from the storage device. A holding chassis receives the storage device, and moves the storage device for engagement with the first and second devices. A section is provided for destroying the data containing portion of the electric storage device when it is removed from the storage device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to a system for dismantling various components of a hard drive and more particularly, to a system that will identify and extract selected components from hard drives and destroy the data containing portions of the hard drive.

BACKGROUND

Various 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.

When 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.

One 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 metal, the complete destruction involves the shredding of a relatively large volume of metal that requires a lot of energy.

Additionally, hard dives use rare earth elements in their construction. Rare earth elements include cerium (Ce), dysprosium (Dy), erbium (Er), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), holmium (Ho), lanthanum (La), lutetium (Lu), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), promethium (Pm), samarium (Sm), scandium (Sc), terbium (Tb), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb) and yttrium (Y). It is becoming desirable to recycle such elements. The complete destruction of a hard drive does not readily permit the recapture of such elements.

It is thus desirable to have a process and apparatus for reclaiming the elements of the hard drive that contain the rare earth elements and then destroying the data containing portion of the drive.

An example of a hard drive data destroying device that does not destroy the entire hard drive is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,851,404 entitled Hard Drive Shredding Device, issued Oct. 7, 2014 by Clark et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another example of such a hard drive data destroying device is shown in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/202,234 entitled Hard Drive Shredding Device, filed Mar. 12, 2013 by Clark et al., the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosure there is provided a system for reclaiming select components containing rare earth metals from electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives and destroying the data containing components thereof comprising first devices to loosen various components of the storage device, said components including the components containing the rare earth elements and the data containing portions. Second devices are provided for removing components from the storage device and a holding chassis is provided for receiving said storage device and moving the storage device for engagement with said first and second devices. A section is provided for destroying the data containing portion of the electric media storage device when it is removed from the storage device.

According to another aspect there is a method provided for reclaiming select components containing rare earth metals from electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives and destroying the data containing components thereof comprising loosening various components of the storage device, said components including the components containing the rare earth elements and the data containing portions in a first chamber; removing the loosened components from the storage device in a second chamber; and destroying the data containing portion of the electric storage device when it is removed from the storage device.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a dismantling system for electronic devices compring a chassis for holding said electgronic device; a frame, a plurality of milling units mounted on said frame for coring out variious components of said electric device; and a suction system to aid in the removal of said selected components, said milling units movable in unison or independently on said frame to be in position to engage select area of said electric device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is flow chart of the operation of the system:

FIG. 1a is a description of the operating system of a machine used for the dismantling of hard drives and the destruction of the data containing portions thereof;

FIGS. 2a-2d are views of various components of a hard drive that may be desired to be recovered from the dismantling process;

FIG. 3 is an schematic side view of a machine used for the dismantling of hard drives and the destruction of the data containing portions thereof;

FIG. 3a is a side view of a hybrid dismantling fixture;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the loading chassis of the machine of FIG. 3 with a hard drive positioned therein;

FIG. 5 is a showing of the dismantling sequence for 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch hard disc drives (HDDs);

FIG. 6 is a showing of the dismantling sequence for 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch solid state drives (SSDs);

FIG. 7 is a showing of the dismantling sequence for 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch hybrid hard drives (HHDs);

FIG. 8a is a schematic side view of a system for milling 3.5 inch HDD and HHD;

FIG. 8b is an schematic top view of the system of FIG. 8a;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of an alternative method of milling the hard drive.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of another alternative method of milling the hard drive.

FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of the alternative method of milling the hard drive shown in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 and 12 a are schematic top and side views of yet another alternative method of milling the hard drive;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a burr grinding system for destroying 2.5 inch HDD and HHD data containing platters;

FIGS. 14a and 14b are isometric views of a flat burr grinder and a conical burr grinder respectively used in the burr grinding system:

FIG. 15 is a schematic isometric sectional view of burr grinding system of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 16a-16d are various isometric views components of a 2.5 inch HDD and HHD lapidary flat lap grinding system;

FIG. 17 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a flat lap grinding device using the components of FIGS. 16a-16d:

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a 180 degree holding chassis; and

FIG. 19 is an example of a Certificate Of Destruction provided after the operation is complete;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the system described herein can be used for dismantling and extracting various components of electronic media storage devices such as HDD, SSD, and HHD hard drives. The HDD (Hard Disc Drive) hard drive is essentially a metal platter with a magnetic coating. The coating stores the data. A read/write head on an arm accesses the data while the platters are spinning in a hard drive enclosure. In SSD (Solid State Drive) hard drives, instead of the magnetic coating on top of platters, the data is stored on NAND flash memory (information pods). The SSD drive has no moving parts. The HHD (Hybrid Hard Drive) hard drive is a hybrid incorporating the HDD and the SSD principles.

As outlined by the flowchart shown in FIG. 1, the dismantling process of a hard drive 2 is initiated when it is placed into the vertical holding chassis 4 of the dismantling/destruction machine 6 shown in FIG. 3. Then, the drive 2 is automatically indexed into the machine's milling chamber 8, by way of the hard drive transport rails 9, where a scanning system scans the hard drive. A code reader 10 scans the top surface or cover 12 (See FIG. 4) of the drive 2 for its manufacturer's barcode and other appropriate indicators, which are used to identify the make and model of the hard drive. The machine 6 will also simultaneously scan the hard drive with a product visioning camera or integrated smart camera to aid in drive orientation and component recognition. A G-code or conversational programming database will also be a part of the dismantling/destruction machine's product recognition operating system. During the initial scanning of the hard drive, the system will also have the capacity to read QR and Data Matrix Codes. The information retrieved may consist of a link to the manufacturers' or supporting companies' website and provide text content like the location make and model of the respective drives' circuit board along with recovery instructions. The operating system of the dismantling/destruction machine 6 can print the retrieved information prior to beginning or upon completion of the dismantling process. The operating system also has the capacity to save the retrieved information as a Word document or convert it to a PDF that can be stored for future use or delivered electronically to another computer, smartphone or tablet.

When the manufacturers' barcode on the hard drive 2 is successfully captured, the dismantling machine queries its barcode database, which consists of all hard drives, 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs, SSDs, and HHDs that are currently or were formerly available on the market. The system will also accommodate the integration of newly developed memory drives that are produced in the future. The system's barcode database will also interface with a visioning system comprised of a pictorial database cataloging specific components of the various types of drives, which will consist of: a) the manufacturer's barcode on the face cover 12 and top head of the drive; b) circuit boards 14 as well as the orientation of the rare earth metals, which consist of c) the voice-coil magnet 16 and d) the spindle motor “18. The orientation of the hard drive cover 12, circuit boards 14”, voice-coil magnets 16, and spindle motors 18 will also be accompanied with specific x, y, and z numerical coordinates with the visioning system to aid in their designated extraction procedure. Additional logistic information can be integrated into the system's database for the removal of other desired components. Based on the type of drive identified in the holding chassis, the program will convey specific dismantling coordinates to the CNC interface, which consist of several dismantling stages that start from the outside of the hard drive to the inside.

The present device includes an operating system that integrates the following; but it has the capacity to be configured into one integrated system or expanded to more than the four systems currently presented. Further, the algorithm of the present embodiment's operating system has the capacity to be integrated, in part or in total, into other manufacturers' systems that are currently being developed or developed in the future:

1). A barcode reader system that has a database of all the manufacturers' barcodes for all the 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs, SSDs, and HHDs that are currently or were formerly available in the market. The manufacturers' barcodes that are captured with the reader will help the overall system determine the specific type of hard drive placed in the holding chassis, either a 3.5 inch or 2.5 inch HDD, SSD, or HHD, which will be conveyed to the product visioning database and G-code or conversational programming database to aid in the selection of the appropriate dismantling sequence to perform on the respective drive. The barcode reading system will have the capacity to capture corporate asset tags placed on the hard drives and couple them with their corresponding manufactures' barcode. The barcode reading system will also have the capacity to read QR and Data Matrix Codes that are directly applied by the manufacturer or third-party source like a governmental agency, public/private corporation or organization. The information retrieved may consist of a link to the manufacturer's or supporting company's website. The code may also provide text content like the make and model of the respective drive's; specs on the drives' circuit board along with recovery instructions. When the QR and Data Matrix Codes of a HDD or HHD drive are scanned by the code reader 10 shown in FIG. 3, it can also provide the location of the drives' rare earth metals; specific dismantling instructions, shipping instructions to appropriate processing facilities, and current commodity as well as non-commodity pricing. Additionally, the system will be able to produce a Certificate of Destruction to inventory the drives that were dismantled. The Certificate can be printed, converted to a PDF to be electronically stored or transmitted.

2). A product visioning system with a database comprised of all the 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs, SSDs, and HHDs that are currently or were formerly available in the market. Each hard drive in the database will have images of their targeted components primarily consisting of: a) the hard drive cover 12, mainly for added product recognition and product orientation within the milling chamber; b) circuit boards 14, c) voice-coil magnets 16, and d) spindle coil 18. The captured images will have corresponding numerical x, y, and z numerical coordinates to aid in the extraction of their targeted components. The product visioning database will also have the capacity to integrate images of other desired components to extract from the drive.

3). A G-code or conversational programming system with a database, of all the 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs, SSDs, and HHDs that are currently or were formerly available in the market, will house the pictorial images of the respective drives' configuration from their exterior to interior including the targeted components shown in FIGS. 2a-2d. Corresponding tool path coordinates will accompany the images to guide the systematic dismantling/removal of components from the hard drive from their exterior to interior. Each of the operating system's databases will have the capacity to integrate information from newly developed memory drives that are produced in the future.

4). The present device also includes a database, which is comprised of a pictorial database of the rare earth metals and their corresponding x, y, and z numerical coordinates on all 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch HDDs and HHDs that are currently or formerly available on the market. The database has the capacity to integrate newly developed memory drives, containing rare earth metals that are produced in the future.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present machine 6 includes a milling tool 20 having two single headed milling units; one positioned over the front and one positioned over the back of the hard drive 2 in the milling chamber 8 of the machine 6 to perform either a HDD, SSD or HHD dismantling process. Along with the type of drives stored in the program's database are the drives' corresponding x, y, and z numerical coordinates, which will be interfaced with a database consisting of specific G-codes or conversational programming used to direct the path of the milling tools in removing the fastening screws, on the drives, using a countersink or boring method.

The dismantling process will be conducted on both sides of the hard drive, at the same time, in the following stages:

Stage 1: Prior to processing hard drives, all external hardware like mounting clips as well as plastic and metal casing need to be removed. The hard drive 2 will be placed, on its edge, in the vertical holding chassis 4 having an open center and which is mounted to a loading table. There are two distinct holding chassis; one for 3.5 inch drives and the other for 2.5 inch drives. When the hard drive 2 is introduced to its appropriate holding chassis through the opening 13, it will automatically index into the milling chamber 8, along the hard drive transport rails 9 through the opening 13. Holding clamps 15 in the perimeter of the holding chassis 4 will secure the hard drive 2 in place during the dismantling process. Both the barcode scanner and visioning camera 10 will proceed to scan the drive. The present machine will also be able to process hard drives that have their covers removed and the information platters milled out. These particular hard drives will be identified by the manufacturer's barcode placed on the top edge of the hard drive.

Once the hard drive 2 has been identified, coordinates received from the system's databases will be transmitted to the system's CNC interface directing the speed, depth and positioning of the milling spindle to bore out specific fastening screws from the cover of the hard drive 2. On specific hard drives, a wedging mechanism will be inserted along the outer edge of the drive's cover to help break the adhesive seal (not shown). At the same time, the milling tool 14 over the backside of the hard drive will receive coordinates from the databases to bore out screws, which are holding the drive's circuit board in place.

Once both sides complete the removal of their respective screws, the vertical holding chassis 4 will index forward, along the hard drive transport rails 9, into the dismantling chamber 22 to allow the cover 12″ of the drive and the circuit board 14 to be removed using a pick and place mechanism 22 including a suction nozzle, and then releasing the components onto the system's conveyor belt 23 below the dismantling chamber 22. The conveyor belt 23 runs the full length of the dismantling and milling chambers to capture all the dismantled and falling parts. Then the conveyor belt transports the collected components, like circuit boards, down stream for further manual or automated processing to occur. The milling tool 20 used to bore out the screws attached to the cover of the hard drive can also be automatically exchanged for an edging tool, which cuts around the perimeter of the hard drive cover (not shown). The described embodiment can be adapted with cooling nozzles that emit air, CO₂, LN₂, or micro lubricants in the form of a mist on the drive or through holes in the milling tools for better performance and extended wear (not shown). The described dismantling system can also be programmed to recover other desired components inside the hard drive.

FIGS. 5-7 show the dismantling sequence of the various hard drives.

Stage 2: The vertical chassis 4 holding the drive 2 is indexed back into the milling chamber 8, along the hard drive transport rails 9, where logistic coordinates from the system's databases again direct the milling tool 20 over the front of the hard drive, to bore out specific screws that are holding the voice-coil magnets in place, while the milling tool 14 over the back of the hard drive will receive coordinates from the system's databases, to bore out the fastening screws that are holding the voice-coil magnet from the back. The procedure for removing the rear fastening screws, of the voice-coil magnet 16, can also be performed during Stage 1 when the circuit board is being removed, by boring out targeted holes through the circuit board where the rear fastening screws are located. The milling tool 20 will also be directed to bore out a hole in the rear assembly of 3.5 inch HDD and HHD spindle hubs, which will enable the platters to be released during the pick and place process.

When Stage 2 of the milling process is complete, the vertical hard drive holding chassis indexes forward, along the hard drive transport rails 9, to the dismantling chamber 22 to allow the pick and place mechanism 24 to retrieve the voice-coil magnets “16” from the hard drive with a suction nozzle. A clamping mechanism 25, or magnetic clamp, can also be integrated into the dismantling chamber 22, to provide a more aggressive method for retrieving the voice-coil magnets. Then the coupled voice-coil magnets 16 are dropped into a separate holding container 26 that prevent the magnets' magnetism from interacting with the other magnets that have been collected.

During the period in which the voice-coil magnets 16 are removed, the pick and place mechanism 24 also removes the information platters 26 from the hard drive casing using the suction nozzle of the pick and place mechanism 24. Referring to FIGS. 8a and 8b, in most instances, the platters 24 from the 3.5 inch HDDs and HHDs are still mounted to the spindle hub. Then the platters 26, containing stored information, and the spindle hub configuration are placed in a nesting clamp 28, which allows the platters to securely spin while a milling tool 30 grinds away the platters 26 from their outer edge to the inner spindle hub connection. The nesting clamp 28 can also accommodate 3.5 inch platters that are dislodged from the spindle hubs. The metal filings that are created are collected with a vacuum system 31.

As shown in FIGS. 9-12b, the milling of the 3.5 inch platters can be performed with one or more milling tool configurations. In all cases, the information stored on the platters is destroyed.

FIG. 9 shows schematically another method of shredding the platters 26. A single cutting tool 32 is mounted in a suitable mechanism that is guided in a track to move the cutting tool 32 toward the hub 34 of the platter 26. Once the rotating cutting blade of the cutting tool 32 pierces the outer portion of the platter and reaches the platter hub 34, moving along the path indicated by the arrows (1), the cutting tool 32 follows a clockwise 360-degree cutting track around the platter hub 34, indicated by arrows (2), shredding the hard drive platters 26 so that the only thing that remains of the hard drive platters 36 are small metal shavings. Once the cutting tool 32 has completed the 360-degree cutting path around the hub 34, the cutting tool 32 returns to the start position along the path indicated by arrows (3).

FIGS. 10 and 11 show schematically yet another method of shredding utilizing two cutting tools 38 and 40. As shown, the cutting tools 38 and 40 are mounted one to either side of the hard drive 30. The cutting tools 38 and 40 are mounted on suitable mechanisms 41 that can be moved in tracks to move each cutting tools 38 and 40 toward the hub 32 of the platters 26. A hard drive platter clam 41 clamps the platters 26 and prevents them from rotating. Once the rotating cutting blades of the cutting tools 38 and 40 pierce the outer portions of the platters 26 and reach the platter hub 34, the mechanism moves the cutting tools 38 and 40 around an axis extending through the center of the hub 32 as shown. The cutting tool 38 is moved clockwise from nine to three o'clock and the other cutting tool 40 is moved clockwise from three to nine o'clock around the platter hub 34 as indicated by the arrows (2) leaving only shavings.

Once the cutting tools 38 and 40 complete the 180 degree cutting path around the platter hub 34, the movement of the cutting tools 38 and 40 is reversed and the cutting tools 38 and 40 are returned to their original position.

FIGS. 12a and 12b schematically represent another method of shredding platters 26. As shown, there are four milling tools 42, 44, 46 and 48 mounted around a circle having a diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the platters 26 and initially positioned above the platters 26. These milling tools 42, 44, 46 and 48 are shaped like a drill bit in that they have a side cutting edge 49 and use their sides 51 to grind away the platters 26. The milling tools 42, 44, 46 and 48 are mounted on suitable mechanisms 41 that can be moved in tracks to reciprocate each milling tools 42, 44, 46 and 48 vertically toward and away from the platters 26 and horizontally toward and away from the hub 32 of the platters 26.

In operation, a hardware drive platter clamp 50 clamps, applies pressure to, the hub of the hard drive 32 and each cutting tool is rotated about its axis as indicated by the arrows (2). The milling tools 42, 44, 46 and 48 are spun about their individual axes and lowered toward the platter 26 in the direction of arrows 5 until the lower ends of the milling tools 4244, 46 and 48 pass the platters 36 in the hard drive 30. The milling tools 4244, 46 and 48 are then rotated around the axis of the hub 32 as indicated by the arrows 4 and at the same time, each milling tool 4244, 46 and 48 moves radially inward toward the hub 32 as indicated by the arrows 3 grinding the platters into small particles.

When the milling tools 4244, 46 and 48 reach the hub 33, the movement is reversed and the milling tools 4244, 46 and 48 are rotated about the hub back to their original position. At the same time the milling tools 4244, 46 and 48 are move radially outward as indicated by the arrows 7 into their outermost position. Simultaneously, the milling tools 4244, 46 and 48 are raised as indicated by the arrows 6 into their original position.

Unlike 3.5 inch HDD and HHD platters that are primarily made of ridged aluminum, the handling and destruction of 2.5 inch HDD and HHD information platters require more care because of their fragile composition consisting of glass coated ceramic disks. Their method of destruction as shown in FIG. 13 comprises the pick and place system 24 removing the 2.5 inch platters 50 from the partially disassembled hard drive and placing them individually on a platter reception tray 52 of a burr grinding device 54. The platters 50 are then automatically indexed into the milling chamber 58 of the burr grinding device 54 through a slotted port 56. Inside the milling chamber 58, there is a rotating flat burr grinder 60 on a plunger 63 of the type shown in FIG. 14a above the inserted platter 50, which periodically plunges down to break the platter 50 into small pieces. A vacuum system 62 is used to help draw the platter fragments through a cone shaped receptor 64 into a conical burr grinder 66 of the type show in FIG. 14b. The conical burr 66 reduces the platter fragments into a powder consistency 68, which is deposited into a collection receptacle 70.

Another method that can be used to destroy 2.5 inch HDD and HHD platters 50 is the use of a modified lapidary flat lap grinding device 72 as shown in FIGS. 16a-16d and 17. The pick and place mechanism 24 carefully removes the glass coated ceramic platters 50 from the partially disassembled hard drive and places them individually on a platter reception tray 74. The platter 50 is then automatically indexed into the body of a lap mill grinding device 72 through a slotted port 75. The platter 50 is then placed around the centering spool 76 of a bottom grinding mill 78 that has a grinding surface 79 facing upwardly. Next, a weighted top mill 80, with a grinding surface 82 on its bottom, is placed over the bottom grinding mill 76. By sandwiching the platter 50 between the top and bottom grinding mills 82 and 78, continuous pressure is applied to both surfaces of the platter; and it prevents the partially ground platter particles from escaping. The top and bottom grinding mills 82 and 78 rotate counter-clockwise to each other until the information bearing platter 50 is reduced to a pulverized residue 84. The remains are collected with a vacuum system 86 and deposited into a collection receptacle 88. The spindle motor, which contains rare earth metals, can also be retrieved at this point.

The present embodiment can also utilize a small shredder or hammer mill 89 to destroy the 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch platters of the hard drives. The destruction method is carried out when the information platters are dismantled from the hard drive with the pick and place nozzle 24 on to the system's conveyor belt 23. Sensors are used to identify the 3.5 inch and 2.5 inch platters. Then the platters are segregated from the other recoverd sub-components; and directed to the shredder. Where the platters are reduced to particulated that are 2 mm or less. A vacuum system with a HEPA filter is used to safely collect the particulates.

Stage 3 in the overall process: The 3.5 inch aluminum hard drive casing is indexed back into the milling chamber 8 where the milling tool 20 is automatically exchanged with a hole cutting tool (not shown) which proceeds to bore out the spindle motor embedded in the base of the hard drive casing. The aluminum slug containing the spindle motor falls into the holding tray 90 below shown in FIG. 3.

Because of the comprehensive dismantling sequences stored on the system's databases, the present embodiment has the ability to dismantle hard drives that have varying layers of assembly. The system's programming further allows the integration of additional coordinates for the removal of other desired components from the hard drive.

The described dismantling process can also be performed in a linear fashion where the hard drive is placed in the vertical holding chassis; and then advances forward through a series of dismantling chambers and pick and place stations without having to index back and forth between the dismantling chamber and the pick and place station.

The present system can also be configured to perform the dismantling process horizontally where the milling tool is positioned over the hard drive in the milling chamber. Then the system's hard drive holding chassis, that is also positioned horizontally, indexes the hard drive into the dismantling chamber, along the hard drive transportation rails 9 where the vacuum nozzle, of the pick and place mechanism, removes the desired components. After the targeted components are retrieved, and placed in their respective resepticals (as previously outlined). The hard drive leaves the system's holding chassis, and is indexed into the horizontal opening of the 180 degree hard drive holding chassis 92 as shown in FIG. 18. The chassis rotates 180 degrees along the y axis, performing a Gamma rotation, to position the bottom-side of the hard drive facing up toward the milling tool. The rotation of the holding chassis 92 is performed by the chassis turning mechanism 97, which is partially represented in FIG. 18. Hex knobs 95 on either side of the chassis 92 are adapted to be engaged by a turning mechanism 97 to rotate the chassis. Automatic locking pins 94 on either side of the rotating hard drive chassis secure it into position on the extension-retraction slides on the left and right of the chassis. Then the hard drive exits the 180 degree holding chassis 92, and is received back into the open end of the dismantling system's holding chassis; locked into position with the holding clamps 15. The hard drive indexes back into the milling chamber 8, along the hard drive transport rails 9, for the next stage of designated screws to be bored/cored out. The triple sequence continues, among the milling chamber, dismantling chamber, and the 180 degree holding chassis until the desired components have been removed. The dismantled hard drive is then ejected from the 180 degree holding chassis onto the conveyor belt for further downstream manual or automated processing.

The described embodiment can also be performed in a semi-automated manner. The system's operator will reliy on the automated milling process, in the milling chamber, to bore/core out the fastening screws of the hard drives. Then bypass the automated collection of targeted compoments in the dismantling chamber by attaching the 180 degree holding chassis to the end of the milling chamber's hard drive transport rails. This will allow for the dismantled components to fall onto the conveyor belt below, transporting them downsream where the targeted components can be manually collected; and information bearing material can be destroyed using the prescribed destruction methods previously mentioned.

The dismantling machine will also have the option of being configured with an automated hard drive “magazine” loader to further expidite the process.

Although the present embodiment is described in various configurations, automated to semi-automated, for dismantling hard drives, the process can be further consolidated by combining the operatons of both the milling and the dismantling chambers into a single stage.

The dismantling machine's computer interface, linked by an Ethernet cable or wireless connection, will allow the present embodiment to be performed and monitored onsite or remotely requiring minimal or no human interface. The computer interface will also allow for programmatic updates to the system's databases.

The dismantling machine's operating system keeps track of the drives that are introduced to the system. When the destruction process is completed a Certificate of Destruction 96 such as shown in FIG. 19 can be generated which, consists of the manufactures' barcodes from the dismantled drives and the corresponding company asset tags (if present). The captured identification numbers will automatically populate the fields in the Certificate. The Certificate will also consist of the company receiving the service, name of person authorizing the dismantling process, company personnel witnessing the dismantling process, the time and date of the dismantling; and the name of the technician performing the dismantling process.

Additional variables can be added to the Certificate like a running count of sub-components collected; their relative weights; and their value based on current commodity and non-commodity pricing along with other dismantling demographics for productivity reports. However, some of the previously stated variables may not be utilized based on where the company operating the dismantling machine is positioned in the products recovery continuum. The operating system will also allow for the contents of the Certificate to be included with the material retrieved QR and Data Matrix codes to be printed immediately or saved to a Word document or convert it to a PDF that can be stored for future use or delivered electronically to another computer, smartphone or tablet.

A vertical hybrid dismantling fixture 100, shown in FIG. 3A, can also be adapted to the present embodiment. The fixture consists of a six-headed, pick and place, milling unit integrated with a suctioning system. The combined elements work simultaneously to core/bore out the fastening screws and remove the designated components from the hard drive's chassis in a rapid sequential process. The milling units 102 mounted on the frame 104, of the hybrid dismantling fixture 100, can move in unison or independently based on the direction of the system's G-code database. The hybrid dismantling fixture also operates within the sequential manner of the disassembly system's operating system, which includes the barcode system, product visioning system, G-code/conversational programming system, and real earth metals database. After the dismantling system's operating system identifies the type of hard drive in the holding chassis 4, the hybrid dismantling fixtures 100 are positioned over the front and back of the hard drive in the milling chamber 8 of the machine 6 to perform either a 3.5 inch or 2.5 inch HDD, SSD or HHD dismantling process.

Hard drives are typically configured with the same outer dimensions, which allow for the collection of plotted points in a database, directing the milling units 102 where to core/bore out the fastening screws as well as holding fixtures. The first stage of the dismantling process consists of the front hybrid dismantling fixture aligning the six-unit hybrid milling fixture over the fastening screws around the perimeter of the hard drive cover. Once the perimeter screws have been cored/bored out, a single milling unit, but others can be directed, sweeps across the surface of the hard drive coring/boring out the fastening screws on the interior. The corresponding suction units 106, mounted on the frame 104 of the front fixture 100, are retracted until the milling process is complete. Then the milling units retract. At that time, the suction units 106 index toward the surface being milled applying tension pressure before activating the suction. A separation tool (not show) may be activated to help break the adhesive seal around the front cover of the hard drive. While simultaneously on the back of the hard drive, the vertical six-unit hybrid milling fixture is directed to core/bore out the fastening screws from targeted components listed in the hard drive dismantling system's operating system. Not all six milling units may be used, but are available to the G-code/conversational programming system to aid in the milling process. The milling and dismantling process will simultaneously continue on both the front and back of the hard drive, starting from the outside to the inside until the targeted components are removed from the hard drive chassis. The targeted components that are removed will be placed in their respective containers that were previously described or they can be collected on the conveyor belt for downstream manual sorting or automated processing; and the information bearing material can be destroyed using the prescribed destruction methods previously mentioned.

The recovered components from the vertical hard drive dismantling machine can either be directly placed in their respective holding containers, which were previously described or allowed to fall onto the conveyor belt below, transporting them downstream where the targeted components can be manually collected and information bearing material can be destroyed using the prescribed destruction methods previously mentioned.

The Hybrid Dismantling and Suction fixture is best adapted to the horizontal hard drive dismantling system. The hybrid fixture is positioned over the hard drive shortly after the barcode and visioning systems identify the type of drive, either 3.5 inch or 2.5 inch HDD, HHD or SSD, in the holding chassis. The milling units 102 are directed by the system's G-code database where to core/bore the fastening screws; and are positioned directly above the fastening screws. When the perimeter are processed a single milling unit 102 sweeps across the hard drive eliminating the remaining fastening screws. Then the suctioning units remove the detached components, placing them in their respective collection containers. The six-headed hybrid dismantling fixture, featured in this present embodiment, will be primarily utilized to expedite the removal of hard drive covers; but it is not limited to more or less of the milling and suctioning units to perform the task. The combined milling and suction units, of the hybrid dismantling and suction fixture, make the system highly compatible with the 180 degree holding chassis because it consolidates the functions of the milling and dismantling chambers into one unit. The automated collection of targeted components in the dismantling chamber can be bypassed by attaching the 180 degree holding chassis to the end of the milling chamber's hard drive transport rails. The recovered components from the hybrid holding fixture can either be directly placed in their respective holding containers or allowed to fall onto the conveyor belt below, transporting them downstream where the targeted components can be manually collected and information bearing material can be destroyed using the prescribed destruction methods previously mentioned.

The system can be adapted for the dismantling of cell phones, smartphones, tablets, and laptops, as well as flat panel televisions and monitors.

Claims

1. A system for reclaiming select components containing rare earth metals of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives and destroying the data containing components thereof comprising: first devices to loosen various components of the storage device, said components including the components containing the rare earth elements and the data containing portions;second devices for removing components from the storage device;a holding chassis for receiving said storage device, and moving the storage device for engagement with said first and second devices; anda section for destroying the data containing portion of the electric storage device when it is removed from the storage device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first devices includes a milling spindle to bore out screws from the cover of the drive.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said first devices includes a milling tool on the back side of the hard drive to bore out screws holding the drive's circuit board in place.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said second devices includes a pick and place mechanism for removing the cover and circuit board.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said second devices include a milling tool for boring out screw that hold the voice-coil magnets of the hard drive in place.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said second devices include a pick and place mechanism for removing the voice-coil magnets.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said pick and place system includes a clamping mechanism for assisting in the removal of the voice-coil magnets.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said second devices includes a hole cutting saw to bore out a slug containing the spindle motor embedded in the base of the hard drive casing.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said second devices includes a pick and place mechanism for removing the information platters and their hub from the hard drive.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said section includes a mechanism for shredding the platters.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said mechanism includes a milling tool to grind away the platters.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the section includes a milling tool mounted in a track for movement toward the hub and the around the axis of the platter shredding the platter.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein there are a plurality of milling tools.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said section includes a burr grinding device having a milling chamber into which the platters of the hard drive are introduced for grinding into a powder consistency.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said section includes a flat lap grinding device whereby said platters are ground into a powder consistency.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said holding chassis is rotatable 180 degrees.

17. The system of claim 1 further including a scanning system for scanning information about the hard drives being introduced into the system and a data base of information concerning hard drives, wherein the scanned information and information from the data base is used to control and position the first and second devices.

18. The system of claim 1 wwherein said first devices includes a milling tool to core out the spindle of a hard drive.

19. The system of claim 18 further including a first and second chamber, said first devices being in said first chamber and said second dvices being in said second chamber, said holding chassis being moveable between said first and secod chambers.

20. A method for reclaiming select components containing rare earth metals of electronic media electronic storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives and destroying the data containing components thereof comprising: loosening various components of the storage device, said components including the components containing the rare earth elements and the data containing portions in a first chamber;removing the loosened components from the storage device in a second chamber; anddestroying the data containing portion of the electric storage device when it is removed from the storage device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the cover and circuit board are loosened from the hard drive and then removed and retrieved.

22. The method of claim 20 including removing the data retaining platters from the hard drive and shredding the platters.

23. The method of claim 20 including removing the data retaining platters from the hard drive and grinding the platters into a powder consistency.

24. The metnod of claim 20, including coring out the spindle oof the hard drive in said first chamber.

25. A dismantling system for electronic devices compring: a chassis for holding said electronic device;a frame;a plurality of milling units mounted on said frame for coring out various components of said electric device; anda suction system to aid in the removal of said selected components, said milling units movable in unison or independently on said frame to be in position to engage select areas of said electronic device.