Abstract: A disk head assembly attachment means and method for reducing the height of each support arm of a head stack assembly of a disk drive, thereby reducing the required disk-to-disk spacing. A first load beam assembly having a first boss is attached to a support arm of a head stack assembly. A second load beam assembly having a second boss is attached to the same support arm of the head stack assembly, with the second load beam assembly being positioned on the side of the support arm opposite the first load beam assembly. The first and second boss are designed to either nest one in the other, or set adjacent each other, such that each support arm of the head stack assembly need only accommodate the height of a single boss rather than the combined height of both bosses.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing structural elements in magnetic head air bearing sliders by etching. The invention forms transverse pressure contours on the edges of a slider air bearing surface by first forming slots in a slider blank adjacent the location where air bearing surfaces are to be formed. The slots are filled with an etchable material and the slider blank is machined to form air bearing structures. The etchable material is positioned so as to form a part of the side edge of the air bearing structure. The slider blank is then subjected to an etching process that principally etches the etchable material. By proper positioning and etching, the etchable material forms a transverse pressure contour on the side edge of the air bearing structure. The invention has other uses with respect to forming complex, high precision structures within a slider body. Any structure that can be formed by etching an etchable material away from the bulk material of the slider body can be manufactured.

Abstract: A flexure for supporting a slider/electromagnetic read/write head assembly for a rotary actuator-type disk drive. The flexure is designed to improve yaw stiffness while simultaneously improving pitch and roll compliance compared to prior art designs. The flexure has a support structure having a pair of forked outriggers. Attached at the end of each outrigger arm is a spaced-apart flexure tongue structure. The width of the flexure at the connection between the tongue and outriggers is less than the width of the flexure at the connection between the support structure and outriggers. A gimbaling dimple is provided on the tongue structure that is positioned such that when a slider is mounted on the flexure, the dimple is positioned at approximately the center of pressure of the slider.

Abstract: A computer disk head assembly load beam having improved vibrational characteristics. The inventive load beam has reduced mass and increased resonant frequencies for at least the first and second resonant modes in comparison to the prior art, while maintaining a spring rate approximately equivalent to the spring rate of prior art load beams. In addition, the invention exhibits a high degree of torsional stiffness. These characteristics are accomplished by providing a load beam having a delta-shaped forebody, an elongated arm portion, and short, relatively thick spring attachment beams connecting the base of the load beam to the insert-attachment portion of the load beam. The spring attachment beams of the load beam structure provide a spring rate approximately equivalent to the spring rate of prior art load beams. The invention also permits a reduction in the height of the load beam strengthening flanges, permitting decreased disk spacing.

Abstract: A flexure for supporting a slider/electromagnetic read/write head assembly for a rotary actuator-type disk drive. The flexure is designed to improve yaw stiffness while simultaneously improving pitch and roll compliance compared to prior art designs. The flexure has a forked outrigger structure. Attached at the end of each outrigger arm is a spaced-apart flexure tongue structure. A gimbaling dimple is provided on the tongue structure that is positioned such that when a slider is mounted on the flexure, the dimple is positioned at approximately the center of pressure of the slider. As a result of the inventive design, the position of the gimbaling dimple can be moved substantially forward along the flexure, thereby permitting the use of a notched slider assembly, resulting in an overall decrease in the height of the flexure/slider combination, thereby permitting decreased disk spacing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a head gimbal from a head stack assembly without causing damage to adjacent head gimbals and minimizing damage to the head stack assembly. The tool driver of a miniature drill is inserted through holes in the stack assembly and attached head gimbals to the position of the head gimbal to be removed. A removable cutting tool is attached to the tool driver and the head gimbal is drilled free of the head stack assembly.

Abstract: A lapping guide is provided to determine the position at which lapping of a thin film head to define pole faces should be terminated. Accurate positioning of the lapping guide with respect to the head is insured by forming various elements of the lapping guide during the same photolithographic process steps as those used to form elements of the head. The lapping guide may be used either as an electrical or optical guide. When used as an optical guide, a second lapping guide may be provided as an indicator that more frequent inspection is necessary.