Abstract: In the manufacture of disk drive suspension flexures, an absence of exposed unplated conductive trace ends at the locus of severing individual flexures from a panel of flexures is achieved by reducing the cross section a portion of the conductive traces at the locus of severing so that the portion preferentially melts upon passage of a current through the conductive traces, severing the portion and encasing the severed ends in melted plastic from the flexure plastic film layer.

Abstract: The disengagement of a disk drive suspension limiter from the load beam is blocked by the provision of a tab that interfits with the load beam against separation during intended engagement.

Abstract: Disk drive suspensions having limiters with both high shock and load/unload capability are readily assembled by deflecting a normally upstanding tab on the flexure tongue into a slot on the load beam, or vice-versa, where it irreversibly engages the load beam upon returning to its upright condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for building a head stack assembly from an array of head stack assembly subassemblies comprising apertured actuator arms, mounting plates, and load beams in aperture registered relation for staking that applies uniform clamping force against possibly angled subassemblies by pivoting the engagement head to be flush with the subassemblies as presented, and increases support of the mounting plates against distortion during staking by reducing the difference in size of the spacer openings and the mounting plate openings and precisely aligning the smaller spacer openings from a locus spaced from and parallel to the subassembly array.

Abstract: Excessive capacitive coupling in a wireless disk drive suspension having minimum dielectric film thickness for better mechanical properties is reduced by removing a portion of the wireless conductor immediately opposite the suspension conductors only to obtain reduced capacitive coupling and thus better electrical properties without sacrifice of mechanical properties.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension is provided comprising a load beam, a flexure partially overlying the load beam, the flexure having frame and tongue for supporting a slider, and a flexible conductor comprising a laminate of conductive leads and insulating plastic film, the flexure load beam-overlying portion and the load beam are fixed together and closely spaced to clamp the flexible conductor in place mechanically and freely of bonding to the load beam or flexure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is provided for controlling unwanted flow of slider bonding adhesive from the flexure tongue portion to the flexure outrigger portion including roughening the tongue portion surface opposite the slider, enclosing the locus of slider attachment fully or partially with a trough etched into the tongue portion, and increasing the depth of fluid adhesive at the locus to increase the adhesive mass and improve the bonding at the slider.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension uses microactuators comprising piezoelectric crystals to drive movement of the load beam carrying slider relative to disk tracks, the crystals being positively coupled to the load beam portions by cooperating, interfitting structures defined by the crystal and load beam portions.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has increased protection against signal loss and mechanical damage and increased isolation from ambient electrical disturbances where the metal layer of the flexible conductive laminate is remote to the load beam rather than next to the load beam to mechanically and electrically protect the conductive traces of the laminate on two sides against signal loss and mechanical damage and have increased isolation from ambient electrical disturbances.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has a lower stiffness gimbal flexure formed in one piece with a load beam by setting off the flexure frame from the load beam rigid portion, reducing the frame thickness by partial etch, maintaining the flexure tongue thickness at that of the load beam rigid portion, and completing the flexure frame with flexible conductor connected to the distal end of the frame, metal layer in the flexible conductor being removed to maintain low stiffness while connecting the flexible conductor to the flexure tongue in motion limiting relation.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension load beam suspension comprising a load beam and a flexure has an elongatable portion on the flexure frame attached to the flexure tongue tip for elongation by flexure tongue movement such that the flexure tongue is tethered against unduly large excursions but free to gimbal in the normal way as well.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension comprising a load beam utilizing a piezoelectric microactuator has multiply reversely deflected arcuate spring portion elements that further curl or flatten in response to contraction or expansion of the piezoelectric microactuator to facilitate greater distance beam displacement at lower levels of voltage.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension reduces or blocks capacitive coupling between a flexible circuit electrical connector and the steel load beam by interposing a second dielectric layer not part of the flexible circuit between the flexible circuit and the load beam. The change in capacitive coupling is realized without changing the mechanical properties of the flexible circuit, which can still be used to form the suspension flexure.

Abstract: Problems aligning a slider with a dimple in manufacture of head gimbal assemblies for disk drive suspensions are obviated by defining a series of optically readable indicia on or about the dimple that serve as a reference for positioning apparatus rather than the dimple.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension has improved fixing of the load beam to the actuator arm by positively interlocking the actuator arm and the mount plate carrying the load beam with cooperating locking structure on the plate and arm.

Abstract: The efficiency of wire bundle conductors is realized in a disk drive suspension without wire bundle biasing of the slider movement by interposing a section of flexible conductive laminate conductor between the wire bundle terminus and the slider, thereby obtaining the nearly bias free connection of the flexible conductive laminate conductor to the slider and as well substantially the superior electrical performance of the wire bundle conductor.

Abstract: A load beam is mounted in a head stack assembly without staking operations by mounting a mounting plate having an annular boss and carrying the load beam to an actuator arm having a circular opening by having the plate annular boss larger than the circular opening and providing for interfittment by having a split ring structure including a slot of an original width on the annular boss or the circular opening that deflects during mounting and thereafter resiliently retains the plate and arm together by the tendency of the slot to return to its original width.

Abstract: The disengagement of a disk drive suspension limiter from the load beam is blocked by the provision of a tab that interfits with the load beam against separation during intended engagement.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension comprising a load beam utilizing a piezoelectric microactuator has arcuate spring portion elements vertically to laterally disposed relative to the load beam that further curl or flatten in response to contraction or expansion of the piezoelectric microactuator to facilitate greater distance beam displacement at lower levels of voltage.

Abstract: Flexible circuit having a laminated metal base layer is laser welded to a locus of weld attachment defined by the load beam and/or the flexure of a disk drive suspension by use of a selected portion of the base layer, the balance of the base layer having been removed, to achieve a weld attachment and avoid use of resinous adhesives and their outgassing problems.