Dell Latitude CD-ROM Module

Amidst the constant SolidWorks exposure I had at work over the summer, I decided to embark on a little side project just for fun. I had an old Dell Latitude laptop lying around, so I decided (with high ambition) to model it all out. So far, the CD-ROM drive is complete for your viewing pleasure:

The core of the CD reading and writing system: the laser pickup

The tracking motor and gear system that controls the movement of the laser pickup along the helical rod

The main head unit: bottom view. The full operation of the laser pickup movement can be seen here.

The main head unit: top view. Disc motor along with the PCB and the laser pickup

Disc motor connected to PCB. The PCB attaches to other devices in the system through the three ports on the right hand side of the image.

Motor and gear system responsible for opening and closing of the main unit based on user input.

Main Unit: bottom view with cover on

Main unit: bottom view. The center of operations.

Main Unit: top view, facing forward.

Main Unit with Drive Unit, including the railing mechanism

PCB responsible for interface between computer and CD Drive.

Complete Drive Unit

Module Assembly Exploded View

Final Module Assembly

Final Module Assembly Bottom. The awkward front shape can be explained by the fact that this module slides into the laptop front the front, and not the side. Therefore, it has to adhere to the curvature of the front lip of the laptop.

Wire Diagram of entire assembly, just for fun ^_^

Hope you enjoyed viewing part of what I spent my summer on. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. If you want to see the actual SolidWorks files, just shoot me an e-mail and I'll be glad to send them out.