Abstract: A computer implemented method is used for determining a product build schedule for sequential fabrication steps. The computer implemented method comprises: receiving a routing of the sequential fabrication steps; assigning a raw process time to a fabrication step in the routing; generating a cycle time for the fabrication step; receiving a start date for the sequential fabrication steps; and computing a projected shipping date for the product.

Abstract: An apparatus for reader characterization is described. The apparatus includes a rotator for rotating a media. The media can contain a signal having a value for a function of a read/write head being assessed. The rotator is operable in conjunction with said apparatus. The apparatus also includes a proximator for proximalizing the media to the read/write head. The proximator is operable in conjunction with said apparatus. The apparatus further includes a writer operable in conjunction with said assembly. The writer writes the signal upon the media. The signal emits the value of the function. The signal is detectable by a reader of the read/write head. The apparatus additionally includes an interface operable in the apparatus for providing removable orientation of the read/write head in an assessing position. The assessing position enables a reader of the read/write head to detect the signal upon rotation of the signal through the assessing position.

Abstract: A method and system for a beam projector having data manipulation capabilities. The beam projector includes a central processing unit integral with the beam projector, a memory portion coupled with the central processing unit and a signal-receiving portion coupled with the central processing unit. The signal-receiving portion for receiving data and providing the data to the central processing unit such that the central processing unit of the beam projector organizes the data into a viewable presentation without requiring input from a secondary computing device.

Abstract: In method of feedback control for active damping of slider air bearing vibrations in a hard disk drive slider, a slider is isolated from ground. A velocity signal is acquired from the slider. The velocity signal is filtered to acquire a vibration signal. The vibration signal is adjusted in amplitude to achieve an amplitude adjusted vibration signal. The amplitude adjusted vibration signal is applied to the slider to actively dampen vibrations in the slider.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing a suspension gram load to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a gram load of the suspension is reduced to minimize the friction force during contact of the TE with the disk such that when the TE portion of the slider contacts the disk the bouncing motion of the TE with respect to the disk is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a disk drive actuator arm for reducing amplitude of vibration modes substantially planar to a disk surface. The actuator arm comprises a plurality of head arms coupled to the actuator arm, the head arms substantially equally spaced and substantially parallel to each other. The actuator arm further includes a damping material bonded to a surface of one of the plurality of head arms, wherein the surface is substantially parallel to the plurality of head arms. The actuator arm further includes a mass bonded to the damping material wherein the mass dampens the amplitude of vibration modes substantially planar to the disk surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing crosstalk and signal loss in an electrical interconnect is disclosed. The electrical interconnect includes a laminate. A plurality of signal traces and a subsequent plurality of traces are in a first formed layer of the laminate. The subsequent plurality of traces may be signal traces or power traces. The laminate has a dielectric layer between the first formed layer and a second formed layer. A plurality of serpentine patterns are in the second formed layer of the laminate. The plurality of serpentine patterns is separated from subsequent patterns. The plurality of serpentine patterns supports the plurality of signal traces and the subsequent plurality of patterns supports the subsequent plurality of traces. The supporting of the plurality of signal traces separate from the subsequent plurality of traces reduces write-to-read crosstalk and signal loss.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing a small pad to increase a head to a disk interface reliability for a load/unload drive. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, a low friction zone is provided proximal to a leading edge (LE) portion of the slider such that when the LE portion of the slider is aligned to contact a disk element during the load phase, the low friction zone contacts the disk element and provides a reduced contact area with respect to the LE portion of the slider such that a friction force is reduced and the slider can assume a proper flying attitude.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include A head suspension assembly for a data storage device comprising a load beam and a Femto flexure coupled to the load beam, wherein the Femto flexure is a laminate structure comprising a support layer, the flexure comprising a plurality of symmetrical flexure legs, each of the flexure legs substantially hourglass shaped.

Abstract: A device for orienting an integrated lead suspension tail during a head gimbal assembly soldering operation of a head stack assembly process is disclosed. The device includes a body portion and at least one pin extending from the body portion. The pin(s) is configured to position the integrated lead suspension tail proximate to a main flex cable such that electrical coupling between the integrated lead suspension tail and the main flex cable is established upon completion of said head gimbal assembly soldering operation. The pin(s) has sufficient length to extend past a terminal end of the main flex cable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing an off-center gimbal to increase head to disk interface reliability for contact recording systems. The method provides a suspension for reaching over a disk. A slider having a read/write head element on a trailing edge (TE) portion is also provided, the slider coupled with the suspension. In addition, an off-center gimbal device is coupled with the slider and the suspension away from the center of the slider and closer to the TE portion of the slider such that when the TE portion of the slider contacts a disk a bouncing motion of the TE with respect to the disk is reduced.

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.