Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for measurement of suspension assembly component position and static attitude and for adjustment thereof. An apparatus in accord with the present invention includes modules for the measurment and adjustment of the gimbal portion of suspensions, FSAs, and HGAs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interconnect useful for the prevention of ESD/EOS damage to electrical components. The present invention provides for interconnects that include at least two conductive wires or leads engaged on at least one surface by a carbonizable and ablatable material. The conductive wires may each include a branched dead end lead portion interleaved with the branched dead end lead portion of the other. Alternatively, the conductive wires may extend in close proximity to each other in a curved or sinuous or serpentine or backtracking pattern. An interconnect in accord with the present invention may include a substrate substantially supporting the conductive wires except at predetermined locations or proposed stint sites wherein there is at least one through hole in the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tray for holding components having first and second sides, wherein the first side has at least one first component receptacle for engaging said component; and the second side has at least one component engaging member, and further wherein the first component receptacle and the component engaging member are aligned such that when multiples of the tray are stacked upon each other the first component receptacle and the component engaging member will cooperate to restrain the motion of the component relative to the tray. In such an embodiment the component will have first and second engagement surfaces and the first component receptacle will engage the first component engagement surface and the component engaging member will engage the second component engagement surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assembling a head gimbal assembly useful in a hard disk drive and for testing such an assembly. In a method in accord with the present invention a head/slider is mounted to a circuited gimbal in an automated assembly machine. Following this step the head/slider circuited gimbal assembly will be subjected a dynamic electrical test with those head/slider circuited gimbal assemblies not passing being sorted from the lot. Following this step the head/slider circuited assembly will be attached to a suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly system employing at least a robotic or automated assembly apparatus to manipulate the components to be assembled and at least a first vision alignment system to align the components prior to their assembly. An adhesive dispense system is provided to connect, attach or otherwise adhere the components together. In a method in accord with the present invention for assembling components, a source of the components is provided is located relative to a global reference system. The components held by the source are then located relative to the global reference system based upon the determined location of the source. An adhesive is dispensed onto a first of the components and a second component is manipulated into an initial attachment position relative to the first component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly system employing at least a robotic or automated assembly apparatus to manipulate the components to be assembled and at least a first vision alignment system to align the components prior to their assembly. An adhesive dispense system is provided to connect, attach or otherwise adhere the components together. In a method in accord with the present invention for assembling components, a source of the components is provided is located relative to a global reference system. The components held by the source are then located relative to the global reference system based upon the determined location of the source. An adhesive is dispensed onto a first of the components and a second component is manipulated into an initial attachment position relative to the first component.

Abstract: A head suspension for supporting a read/write head adjacent a rotating data storage device is constructed with outriggers that enhance its lateral stiffness. The outriggers are formed integrally with the head suspension load region and support region and are laterally spaced on opposite sides of the spring region. By passing over the spring region in connecting the opposite lateral sides of the load region to the support region of the head suspension, the outriggers increase the lateral stiffness and sway frequency of the head suspension without appreciably affecting the spring rate or appreciably increasing the weight of the head suspension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the creation and removal of shunts for the prevention of ESD/EOS damage to electrical components. In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive pathway is provided and removed by exposing the interconnect's carbonizable and ablatable substrate to a radiant energy source such as a laser beam. The present invention also provides for interconnects that include at least two conductive wires or leads engaged on at least one surface by a carbonizable and ablatable material. The conductive wires may each include a branched dead end lead portion interleaved with the branched dead end lead portion of the other. Alternatively, the conductive wires may extend in close proximity to each other in a curved or sinuous or serpentine or backtracking pattern.

Abstract: An actuator assembly having an actuator block, at least one elongated arm, and an expandable key for attaching the elongated arm to the actuator block. The actuator block has a connection hole formed in the block, the hole having a perimeter edge of predetermined shape. A corresponding connection hole having a perimeter edge of predetermined shape is formed in the elongated arm. The expandable key is inserted in the actuator block connection hole and the elongated arm connection hole and is transversely expanded to engage the perimeter edges of the holes. The expandable key includes a key member having a longitudinal bore. The key member is inserted through the actuator block connection hole and the elongated arm connection hole, and a driver pin is inserted in the longitudinal bore of the key member. The driver pin contacts and transversely expands the key member, thus causing the key member to engage the perimeter edges of the connection holes to secure the elongated arm to the actuator block.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension for mounting to the end of an actuator arm includes a load beam having a mounting region, a rigid region, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The load beam also has a stationary section including first and second outer stationary portions with an open region formed therebetween, a moving section including an inner moving portion located in the open region between the first and second outer stationary portions, and a gap separating the stationary section and the moving section. The gap has first and second gap portions separating the inner moving portion from the first and second outer stationary portions, respectively.

Abstract: A head suspension for supporting a read/write head of a rotary data storage device combines an actuator arm and load beam in a longitudinally compact construction. The construction includes overlapping laminae with one laminae extending over a hole provided in the other laminae, resulting in a monocoque construction of the head suspension that minimizes rotational inertia while maintaining desirable levels of shock, resonance and deflection performance of the head suspension.

Abstract: A system for training an animal to remain in a specified area of containment. The perimeter of containment being easily tailored to fit a specific geometry. The system includes apparatus for determining the location of the animal, apparatus for specifying boundary coordinates, apparatus for determining if the location of the animal is within the containment perimeter, and apparatus for administering stimulus to the animal if warranted.

Abstract: A head suspension for use in a rigid disk drive is provided having an improved load control as provided by its spring region for decoupling the effect of loading from torsion resonance performance and for reducing the load loss caused by backbending. The head suspension includes a load beam having an actuator mounting region, a rigid section, a flexure including a slider bond pad, and a spring region between the actuator mounting region and the rigid section, the spring region having a hinge line defined across its transverse width positioned to permit the offset height to varied from its predetermined position without substantially changing the longitudinal profile of the head suspension. The hinge line is preferably provided substantially at an interface of the actuator mounting region and the spring region to provide the decoupling function.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension for mounting to the end of an actuator arm. The suspension includes a load beam having a base at a proximal end, a rigid region, a spring region between the rigid region and the base, a flexure for receiving and supporting a read/write head on a distal end of the load beam, a moving section, and a stationary section. The moving section is supported from the stationary section by at least 2 transversely extending resilient support beams. The support beams allow the moving section to pivot with respect to the stationary section. A microactuator is located on the load beam to pivot the moving section and shift the flexure including the read/write head along a transverse tracking axis in response to tracking control signals.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension for mounting to the end of an actuator arm. The suspension includes a load beam having a rigid region, a proximal end, a flexure for receiving and supporting a read/write head on a distal end of the load beam, and a linkage for movably coupling the flexure to the proximal end of the load beam. A microactuator is located on the load beam and includes spaced first and second coil assemblies which undergo displacement perpendicular to the plane of the load beam in response to tracking control signals. The linkage translates the vertical displacement of the coil assemblies into displacement of the distal end of the load beam including the flexure along a transverse tracking axis.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the gram load of a suspension with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability includes a clamp, load-engaging member, actuator, laser and control system. The mounting region of a suspension to be adjusted is releasably received and clamped by the clamp. A load beam of the suspension is engaged and supported at adjust positions with respect to the clamp by the load beam-engaging member. The load beam-engaging member is driven and positioned by the actuator. IR light from the laser is directed to the spring region of the suspension by optical fibers. The control system includes a pre-adjust input terminal, memory and a controller. Information representative of a measured pre-adjust fly height gram load value of the suspension is received at the pre-adjust input terminal.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the gram load, static attitude roll and radius geometry of a suspension with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability includes a clamp, load-engaging member, actuator, laser and control system. The mounting region of the suspension to be adjusted is releasably received and clamped by a clamp. A load beam of the suspension is engaged and supported at adjust positions with respect to the clamp by the load beam-engaging member. The load beam-engaging member is driven and positioned by the actuator. IR light from the laser is directed to the spring region of the suspension by optical fibers. The control system includes a pre-adjust input terminal, memory and a controller. Information representative of a measured pre-adjust fly height gram load, static attitude roll and radius geometry values of the suspension are received at the pre-adjust input terminal.

Abstract: A head suspension includes a two piece construction including a load beam and a separately formed flexure wherein the assembly and construction facilitates the need for less space between disks within a disk drive. More specifically, the thickness of the flexure member need not be factored into the height of the load point dimple. The load point dimple height need only facilitate pitch and roll slider movements; thus, reducing the side profile of the head suspension. Moreover, the present invention allows for the use of load point dimples which are formed within the thickness of the load beam material, which can further reduce the side profile. In one aspect, a mounting surface of the mounting portion is provided on an opposite side of the load beam than the side of the load beam from which the load point dimple extend. The load portion can be also provided with a reduced thickness area with the load point dimple within the reduced thickness area.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for supporting a slider over a disk surface within a rigid disk drive includes a load beam with a flexure at a distal end of the load beam, the flexure of the type having a cantilever portion with a free-end and a limiter for restricting the range of flexure of the free-end of the cantilever portion. The flexure of the present invention has a cantilever portion provided with an integral limiter and stop surface. The limiter is preferably connected with the flexure by a bend. More preferably, a single bend of about 90 degrees is provided for each limiter.

Abstract: In a suspension assembly for a disk drive, a welding isolation structure for creating an isolated weld point and for substantially eliminating undesirable propagation of welding stresses during the welding of elements of the suspension assembly. The welding isolation structure is placed on selected locations on suspension assembly elements. The isolation structure includes a welding area, at least one isolation slot including a through aperture delineating at least a portion of the perimeter of the welding area, and at least one junction tab bridging the isolation slot and connecting the welding area to the remainder of the load beam. The isolation slots are designed to substantially relieve and contain welding stresses. In the suspension assembly, the tabs of each weld point are oriented generally in directions other than towards other weld points, such that additive and uneven propagation of welding stresses is prevented.