Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head, which has an air bearing surface (ABS), includes forming first and second pole piece layers with the second pole piece layer having a front located second pole tip component and a rear located second pole yoke component, forming the second pole tip component with front and rear surfaces, first and second side surfaces and top and bottom surfaces with the front surface being located at the ABS and the first and second side surfaces and the top and bottom surfaces intersecting the ABS and forming the second pole yoke component with a front portion which has a bottom surface, a back surface and first and second side surfaces that interface the top surface, the rear surface and the first and second side surfaces respectively of the second pole tip component.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexure for an integrated lead head suspension with a metal spring layer, a conductive lead layer and an insulator layer between the metal spring layer and the conductive lead layer. The method includes forming insulator suspended portions on a lower surface of the conductive lead layer and further includes forming insulator spring arm portions on an upper surface of the metal spring layer adjacent to the insulator suspended portions.

Abstract: Hard biasing of a magnetoresistive sensor or a spin valve sensor in a magnetic read head is initialized by repeatedly applying a magnetic field to the hard biasing at any level of fabrication of the magnetic read head or any combination of levels of fabrication of the read head such as at the wafer level, row bar level, single slider level, head gimbal assembly (HGA) level and/or head stack assembly (HSA) level.

Abstract: A media rework tool for discs and/or a spindle motor carrying a disc pack is disclosed that has a slider plate mounted on a base for lateral movement between a retracted position and an extended position. The slider plate holds a spindle motor with a disc pack mounted on it, and moves between the two positions. The tool includes a gripper assembly having a plurality of opposing arms for grasping predetermined discs within a disc pack on the spindle motor when the slider plate is in the retracted position. The gripper assembly raises the predetermined discs and any intermediate spacer rings upward for temporary storage on a media guide to allow the remainder of the disc pack to be reworked, such as for replacement of a defective disc or spindle motor when the slider plate is laterally moved to the extended position. Following reworking of the remainder of the disc pack, the spindle motor is returned to its centered position relative to the media guide and the gripper assembly.

Abstract: A method manufactures a head suspension for a disk drive. The method includes a first step of forming a semi-finished suspension (55) having a base plate (37), a rigid part (27) solidly joined with the base plate through a bridge (57), and a positioning hole (63) formed through the bridge. This positioning hole is aligned with a positioning hole (51) formed through part of a flexure (41). A second step of the method fixes a resilient material (31) to the base plate and rigid part of the semi-finished suspension so that the base plate may resiliently support the rigid part through the resilient material. A third step of the method aligns the positioning hole of the flexure with the positioning hole of the bridge and fixes the flexure to the rigid part. A fourth step of the method cuts off the positioning-hole-formed part of the flexure and the bridge including the positioning hole. This suspension is compact and the load beam and flexure thereof are correctly positioned to secure balance.

Abstract: To allow for adjusting the fly height of a read/write head carried by a slider, a shear transducer is added to the slider. The shear transducer comprises a layer of piezoelectric material added to the slider so that the portion of the slider carrying the read/write head can be moved when the shear transducer is sheared. To cause the shear transducer to shear, a voltage is applied across the piezoelectric layer. To control the movement of the transducer, a closed-loop control system is used. The control system senses the spacing between the read/write head and the disc surface, compares the sensed spacing to a desired spacing, and adjusts the voltage applied to the shear transducer to reduce the difference between the actual and desired spacing.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection device, which includes a number of liquid ejection nozzles, a liquid supply layer including porous material, with the liquid supply layer featuring holes related to the nozzles, and a number of transducers related to the holes for ejecting liquid droplets out through the nozzles.

Abstract: A method of wiring a head suspension assembly includes fixing a tube binding a plurality of wires on a suspension assembly, and fixing the wires extending from the fixed tube on the suspension while leading them to a top side of the suspension. The suspension has a tab frame with first and second frames. Each wire led to the top side of the suspension is bonded to the second frame of a tab frame. An insulation film is removed from each connecting portion of the wires to connect the wires to respective connecting pads of the slider. A first frame is bent substantially perpendicular to the suspension, and the second frame is bent substantially perpendicular to the first frame, thereby positioning the wires bonded to the second frame at the connecting pads on the slider. The wires are then ultrasonically welded to the respective connecting pads on the slider.

Abstract: A method for assembling a slider suspension assembly for use in a disk drive is disclosed. A ceramic slider with an attached recording head is placed on a suspension and is held in alignment by soldering the electrical connections while the epoxy placed between the slider and the suspension hardens. The method results in a much more economical process which does not require the number of expensive tools needed to carry out the conventional process.

Abstract: A method of mounting an IC chip on a suspension having connection pads. The IC chip has a circuit for a thin-film magnetic head element and connection terminals connected to the circuit. The method includes a step of increasing a load applied to the IC chip so that metal bumps formed on the connection terminals press the connection pads formed on the suspension, respectively, and a step of starting application of the ultrasonic vibration to the IC chip during the increasing of the load applied to the IC chip.

Abstract: An integrated lead suspension or flexure having an integrated circuit (IC) mounting region on which an IC chip with an array of solder-covered terminals can be mounted. The suspension or flexure include a stainless steel layer, integrated conductive leads and an insulating layer between the conductive leads and the stainless steel layer. The stainless steel layer has an IC window for receiving an array of terminals of an IC. The integrated conductive leads extend along the stainless steel layer into the IC window, and include an array of bond pads in the IC window corresponding to the array of terminals of the IC to be mounted to the suspension or flexure. The insulating layer extends into the IC window and includes an array of solder mask holes corresponding to the array of conductive lead bond pads.

Abstract: A method for merging the disc pack, E-block and magnet of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a merge assembly station and moved to a merge slide assembly where calibration measurements of disc pack height and squareness are made at a reference position. The merge slide assembly moves the disc pack from the reference position to a shuttled position, the E-block is moved to an E-block nest assembly where the load arms of the E-block are spread in response to the calibration measurements, and the discs of the disc pack are interweaved between opposing read/write heads of the E-block. A magnet slide assembly positions the magnet to straddle the E-block. The disc pack, E-block and magnet are moved together, maintaining the merged interrelationship, to the basedeck and fastened to the basedeck.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention can be regarded as a method of balancing a rotary actuator for use in a rotatable head stack assembly (HSA) portion in a disk drive. The rotary actuator has a pivot axis, and the rotatable HSA portion has an installed HSA portion center-of-gravity. The method provides for deetermining a desired rotary actuator center-of-gravity location for locating the installed HSA portion center-of-gravity along the pivot axis for mitigating acceleration of the rotary actuator about the pivot axis due to external linear acceleration experienced by the disk drive during a track-follow operation. The method further provides for measuring weight distribution characteristics of the rotary actuator to determine an actual rotary actuator center-of-gravity. The method further provides for selectively modifying weight distribution characteristics of the rotary actuator to locate the actual rotary actuator center-of-gravity at the desired rotary actuator center-of-gravity location.

Abstract: Disclosed area high accuracy magnetic head registration method, pallet device, and registration jig which make it possible to realize automation of assembly operations and achieve an improvement in operational efficiency and yield. In the registration method, the magnetic heads are placed between the registration member and carriage arms such that the insertion holes of the magnetic heads are substantially opposed to caulking holes of the carriage arms, and in a state that the magnetic heads are placed between the carriage arms and the registration member, the magnetic heads are biased toward the carriage arm side by the registration member to thereby perform registration on the insertion holes of the magnetic heads with respect to the caulking holes of the carriage arms. By using the pallet device corresponding to the above steps, registration accuracy and operational efficiency are improved.

Abstract: One joint member having a melting point different from that of the other joint member is joined to each bonding pad of a slider and further joined to each bonding pad of a suspension through the other joint member. The slider is exfoliated from the suspension in the state that the one joint member is attached to the slider by heating and melting the other joint member.

Abstract: A process to perform a flaring operation on a rotating electrical device (stator) designed with a number of these spaced axially oriented splines around its perimeter. The design of the stator requires that these perimeter splines possess a flared outer end, creating a rounded cavity contour between adjacent splines to effectively retaining the stator winding in place. The method of this invention reduces damage to the stator windings and allows more wire fill during the manufacturing process.

Abstract: An automated clampring installation station for assembling a disc drive having a hardware dispensing assembly, a presentment assembly, and a positioning and attachment assembly having a transport and affixing assembly and a feature detection assembly. The hardware dispensing assembly stages hardware for pick-up by the positioning and attachment assembly. The component parts presentment places a clampring for pick-up by the positioning and attachment assembly. The feature detection assembly provides orientation information to the components transport and affixing assembly to compensate for orientation of the hardware to the clampring and the subsequent alignment of the hardware and the clampring to the disc drive, and thereafter driving the hardware through apertures in the clampring and in the disc drive to attach the clampring to the disc drive.

Abstract: A method for assembling a slider suspension assembly for use in a disk drive is disclosed. A ceramic slider with an attached recording head is placed on a suspension and is held in alignment by soldering the electrical connections while the epoxy placed between the slider and the suspension hardens. The method results in a much more economical process which does not require the number of expensive tools needed to carry out the conventional process.

Abstract: A fabricating method effective in affixing FPC with high accuracy, simplifying a supporting mechanism of a head supporting member, avoiding mechanical damage to a load beam or a flexible member and promoting performance of adhering FPC to the load beam. Before bending a load beam 11 included in a head supporting member 1, FPC is affxed on a face of the head supporting member 1. Thereafter, the load beam 11 is bent.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: forming an integrated device including a microactuator in a semiconductor material wafer; forming an immobilization structure of organic material on the wafer; simultaneously forming a securing flange integral with the microactuator and electrical connections for connecting the integrated device to a read/write head; bonding a transducer supporting the read/write head to the securing flange; connecting the electrical connections to the read/write head; cutting the wafer into dices; bonding the microactuator to a suspension; and removing the immobilization structure.

Abstract: A method for making a suspension system comprising a multiple layer flexure, a load beam and an arm. The load beam extends from the tip of the suspension all the way back to the rear of the arm. Datum holes are located in the load beam such that during assembly all reference points are made from the single load beam piece.

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: A gimbal formed integral with a load beam by through etching a H pattern at the end of the beam to define a pair of tabs connected by a pair of beams; half etching from the head direction one tab with an defined area masked to form a load button; and half etching the beam from the other direction to provide the proper gimbal stiffness. In practice, the head is glued to the other tab and load is applied through the button.

Abstract: A base plate and load beam for an HG assembly are formed in series, stacked, and transferred by a transfer system in the form of the stacked-layer series to undergo the necessary assembly processes such as layer joining, slider attachment, and electrical connections between the terminals thereon. When uncompleted HG assemblies are transferred for each of the manufacturing processes, the uncompleted HG assembly is mounted on the assembly jig such as a tray or a block for transference. For this reason, assembling jigs, the number of which is at least equal to the number of the uncompleted HG assemblies remaining at the respective assembly processes would be needed. Accordingly, the efficiency of work space is reduced, and a rise in manufacturing cost is brought about by the need for the assembling jigs.

Abstract: A fixture for assembling and testing a read/write head comprised of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) that allows gimbaling along pitch and roll axes and that utilizes an inexpensive spherical gimbal ball pressed into an etched hole in the load beam for providing a highly accurate and measurable pivot location of a slider. The head gimbal assembly includes a suspension of the type supporting a slider, and comprising the suspension. A gimbal opening is formed in the load beam, and extends therethrough so that it receives the spherical gimbal ball for attachment to the load beam. A resilient flexure is secured to the load beam and supports the slider. The backside of the gimbal ball remains visible for the option of optical bonding of the slider to the suspension and for measurement of the slider position relative to the gimbal ball subsequent to the assembly of the HGA. The fixture is comprised of a top plate for holding the suspension assembly and a bottom plate for holding the slider.

Abstract: A base plate for press fitting into a boss hole of a predetermined nominal diameter. The base plate has a flange and a hub extending from a region at which the hub meets the flange to an outer end of the hub. The hub has a number of vertical slots cut through the hub extending from the outer end of the hub part way or all the way to the region at which the hub meets the flange a space between slots determining boundaries of a prong. The hub has an outer diameter which is greater than the predetermined nominal diameter or alternatively the hub has an outer diameter at the region at which the hub meets the flange which is not greater than the predetermined nominal diameter, in which case each the prong extends outward to a prong outer diameter which is greater than the predetermined nominal diameter. Also the base plate may have a corner relief that circumscribes the region at which the hub meets the flange.

Abstract: A base plate for press fitting into an actuator arm boss hole of a predetermined nominal diameter. The base plate has a flange and a hub extending from a region at which the hub meets the flange to an outer end of the hub. The hub has a number of vertical teeth protruding from the hub extending from the outer end of the hub to the region at which the hub meets the flange. The hub has an outer diameter which is greater than the predetermined nominal diameter of the actuator arm boss hole. A corner relief is provided that circumscribes the region at which the hub meets the flange.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an HAA includes a step of fixing a first lead conductor member onto a suspension, a step of attaching a second lead conductor member to at least one actuator arm, a step of fixing the suspension onto the at least one actuator arm, a step of electrically connecting the first lead conductor member fixed on the suspension with the second lead conductor member attached on the at least one actuator arm, a step of, thereafter, fixing a head slider provided with at least one head element onto the suspension, and a step of electrically connecting the at least one head element with the first lead conductor member.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a magnetic head assembly, after mounting a slider with a magnetic head formed thereon onto a wiring pattern of a trace, the trace with the slider mounted thereon is fixed onto a suspension and arm.

Abstract: A magnetic head slider with at least one thin-film magnetic head element on a suspension is mounted. This mounting includes electrically connecting the magnetic head slider with the suspension with ball bonding connections. Electrical property of the thin-film magnetic head element is inspected, and then the ball bonding connections are separated when it is judged that the thin-film magnetic head element has defective electrical property. Then, the magnetic head slider is detached from the suspension, and thereafter a new magnetic head slider with at least one thin-film magnetic head element is mounted on the suspension from which the magnetic head slider was detached.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium having a disc-shaped flexible slave medium accommodated in a case, onto which servo signals are effectively recorded by a magnetic transfer method with high quality. The method includes a slitting step for cutting an original sheet into discrete webs; a punching step for obtaining a disc-shaped slave medium; a thermo step for removing distortion; a burnishing step for smoothing a surface of the slave medium; a center core attachment step; a magnetic transfer step for performing a magnetic transfer while a master medium is allowed to be brought into close contact with one of the web and the slave medium; an assembly step for incorporating slave medium into the case; a cleaning step for cleaning a surface of the slave medium; a verifying step for checking the servo signals; and a packing step.

Abstract: A method for assembling a magnetic head assembly with a slider and a magnetic head including forming, on a slider supporting member, a terminal connected to a magnetic head terminal. In addition, the method includes fixing a head slider on the slider supporting member so that the head terminal faces the terminal of the slider supporting member and contacting a conductive ball member to both of the head terminal and the terminal of the slider supporting member. Furthermore, the method includes pressing the ball member to bond the head terminal with the terminal of the slider supporting member so that the ball member connects the terminals electrically and mechanically.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly, which is a component of a hard disk drive, has a bending portion that has elasticity and is bent at a predetermined angle under an unloaded condition, and a slider is bonded to a holding portion thereof by mounting the head gimbal assembly on a bonding jig in a state in which the bending portion is stretched. When the head gimbal assembly is separated from the bonding jig after bonding, the bending portion is not restored freely, so that the head gimbal assembly is caught by the bonding jig during the separating process and a locked state is sometimes established.

Abstract: An assembly including a magnetic head for recording information using a chip based assembly. The assembly includes a chip mounted on a base where a printed circuit with conducting tracks underneath is passed through the base to come into contact with the chips's connection studs. Also disclosed is the process for the manufacture of chip based assemblies.

Abstract: In detecting a boundary line between areas different in light reflectance, it has so far been impossible to specify the boundary line at a distance shorter than the arrangement pitch of photodetectors (pixels) arranged in the camera. In the present invention, luminance variations near the boundary line between areas different in light reflectance are derivated. Further, in unit blocks G corresponding to pixels and arranged in a direction (Y direction) in which the boundary line extends, derivated values of luminance for each row of unit blocks are added and then a variation curve of the added values of derivated luminance values in unit block rows is drawn to specify a peak position thereof and also specify the position of the boundary line X0. Thus, it is possible to specify the position of the boundary line with a high accuracy at a distance shorter than the unit block pitch.

Abstract: A single piece head gimbal assembly comprised of a load beam, a pair of flexure arms, a slider support member and a plurality of electrical lines. The head gimbal assembly is formed from a laminated material comprised of a support layer, a dielectric layer and a high strength electrically conductive layer. The electrical lines are formed in the high strength electrically conductive layer and extend along the backside of the load beam. The backside surface of a slider is accessible through an aperture formed between the flexure arms and the electrical lines are terminated to the backside of the slider. Alternatively, the electrical lines extend along the backside or frontside of the load beam and are terminated to the trailing edge of the slider.

Abstract: A device for detaching a suspension assembly, adapted to support a head, staked to an actuator arm of an actuator block of a disc drive. The device includes an expandable device operable between an insertion dimension and a deswaging dimension having a flanged end defining a deswaging surface for forcing the stake from a hole of the actuator arm. In the insertion dimension, the device being sized for insertion through channels of tubular stakes for placement relative to an extended end of the stake. The device being expanded to the deswaging dimension, so that the deswaging surface of the flanged end aligns with an end surface of the stake for removing the stake from the actuator block.

Abstract: A method for assembling a magnetic head assembly with a slider and a magnetic head including forming, on a slider supporting member, a terminal connected to a magnetic head terminal. In addition, the method includes fixing a head slider on the slider supporting member so that the head terminal faces the terminal of the slider supporting member and contacting a conductive ball member to both of the head terminal and the terminal of the slider supporting member. Furthermore, the method includes pressing the ball member to bond the head terminal with the terminal of the slider supporting member so that the ball member connects the terminals electrically and mechanically.

Abstract: A tool block holds an integrated lead suspension during assembly. The tool block has a number of features for precisely positioning the integrated lead suspension while transducer heads are being mechanically and electrically connected to it. The most critical feature is a movable datum clamping pin which is positioned to precisely engage a mount plate on the integrated lead suspension. Other features of the tool block include a platform support, a locating hole, a platform clamp and a pivot arm.

Abstract: An assembly device for assembling components of a disc drive, the assembly device being adapted to assembly components of a disc drive supported at a disc drive station. The assembly members are operably supported for operation between a load position and an install position aligned with the disc drive station. Components are engaged by the assembly members and transported to the disc drive station. At the disc drive station, the components are aligned for assembly in the disc drive.

Abstract: A transformer includes a core assembly having a coil, a core with at least a portion extending through the coil, and terminals for providing electrical connection with the transformer. The core assembly is impregnated with a thermally conductive material to form a unitary core mass. An outer coating which is also highly thermally conductive encapsulates the core mass. The outer coating includes a plurality of finned or ribbed surfaces that provide an increased heat transfer area to a surrounding cooling medium such as air.

Abstract: An optimized low profile swage mount or press-in fitted base plate for attachment of a suspension assembly to an actuator arm in a hard disk drive. The base plate has a base plate thickness, TBP, overall height, HH, hub inner diameter, DID, hub outer diameter, DOD, hub inner surface depth, HIS, hub radial width, WH, which is one half the hub outer diameter minus the hub inner diameter (DOD-DID)/2, and a counter bore depth Hcb.

Abstract: An electrical and electronic equipment installation pad includes a precast concrete support slab 40 having an electrically conductive pathway disposed therein. The pathway may be comprised of a plurality of steel reinforcing rods 42 welded to one another to form a grid 44. Coil loop inserts 46 disposed within the slab 40 and welded to the grid 44 receive electrically conductive bolts for securing the equipment 20 on the slab 40. Galvanized inserts 48, 50 having bolts 52, 54 extending therefrom are also disposed within the slab 40 and welded to the grid 44. Ground rod leads 34 from ground rods 36 installed in the ground proximate to the pad 10 are connected to the galvanized inserts 48, 50 providing a path for fault currents from the equipment 20 through the grid 44 to ground. The pad 10 may be used to install equipment 20 at a desired location by first securing the equipment 20 on the pad 10 while the pad 10 is at a location remote from the desired location and then moving the pad 10 to the desired location.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic head apparatus includes a step of forming a plurality of flexure pieces coupled with each other and kept in substantially flat, each of the flexure pieces being provided with conductive connection pattern, a step of mounting sliders with magnetic head elements on the respective flexure pieces, or mounting head IC chips on the respective flexure pieces and after that mounting sliders with magnetic head elements on the respective flexure pieces, and a step of separating the flexure pieces with the sliders into individual pieces.