[Description]:
This project goal is to disassemble of a SanDisk Cruzer Fit 16 GB usb Flash Drive for purpose of gaining a low profile flash drive and learning exactly how they are built. Disassembling things gives you a good idea on how other think, and in this case on how big companies engineers think.
[Processes Applied]:
- Basic knowledge of Assembly
- Basic Knowledge of Flash drives and USB systems
[Summary]:
This will be a short summary, mostly a step by step of what you will find and how to replicate this project.
Step one: Get a small flat head, use it to pry the two joining pieces apart at the bottom of the USB metal case. (Reference Picture)
Step two: Once you have removed the metal case you should be left with a piece of plastic with the standard 4 pin USB contacts, and a larger piece of plastic seemingly encasing that first piece of plastic. (Reference Picture) Underneath the front of the 4 USB contacts there should be a small plastic lip (Reference photo), This will ultimately separate the USB memory from the enclosure.
Step three: What you are now holding is the flash drive, in my case a 16 gig flash drive. This will not fit inside a USB drive slot without modification but is much smaller and slimmer than with the original packaging.
In closing, I did this because I was curious about the device and found it for ~$15 at the local store. Hope this helps.
[Project Photos]:
Hi Andrew!
Could you tell me which final dimensions you got after procedure?
Thanks
Hello,
is the Stick still usable when you cut it in pieces?;-) can you tell me the size of the flash drive, without anything around it?
regards, krieger
Yes it is still usable. Sadly I forgot to measure it, but it was not much larger than a standard USB socket.
Hi, I purchased a SanDisk ultra 64g USB 3.0, with a big heating issue, I planning to remove the plastic header and add mini aluminum heat sinksto the metal parts.
Seeing this tread I think that what I though may be impossible, the plastic header evolves the metal part
You may just want to leave it bare or in the case. As long as it is not exceeding its max operating temperature heat should not be an issue. I assume you are doing bulk data transfers?
If I were to add something to act as a heat sink for something like this flash-drive, I would suggest just designing and machining your own metal case. A simple metal enclosure should dissipate a substantial amount of the heat created.