What is this part of the the hard drive for?

[ironk]

https://i.imgur.com/EyYqU3y.jpg

I outlined it in red, but what is that part of the hard drive for? It looks like a red Led...is it made of glass or plastic? This from the back a WD drive (WD3200BVVT). I wonder if it that part is breakable if it is made of glass.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Everything is breakable.

Looking at the internal shots on the product page, it looks like it's in the right position to be the outside casing of the actuator motor.

 

[pcgeek11]

Everything is breakable.

Looking at the internal shots on the product page, it looks like it's in the right position to be the outside casing of the actuator motor.

Actually it is the pivot point for the arm that holds the read / write heads. The part that drives the arm is between the two magnets.

 

[ironk]

it looks like some models from WD have it while others don't. Why would this part be "exposed" in certain models? True, everything is breakable, just don't want it to be extra fragile.

 

[PottedMeat]

it looks like some models from WD have it while others don't. Why would this part be "exposed" in certain models? True, everything is breakable, just don't want it to be extra fragile.

they just decided to press fit and epoxy(maybe?) that stainless shaft using a thru hole instead of a blind one in that casting for whatever reason. i've never heard of a hard drive shaft ever coming off or loosening.

 

[Topweasel]

they just decided to press fit and epoxy(maybe?) that stainless shaft using a thru hole instead of a blind one in that casting for whatever reason. i've never heard of a hard drive shaft ever coming off or loosening.

Any contact that is rough enough to break that is basically going to destroy much more than that internally anyways.