Abstract: An electrical lap guide (ELG) and a method of using the same to control the machining of a surface of a magnetic transducer to obtain a desired transducer height are disclosed. The transducer and ELG are fabricated in a deposition of layers on a substrate. The ELG includes a first resistor aligned with the transducer such that a machined height of the first resistor is indicative of a machined height of the transducer. Resistances of second and third resistors of the ELG are measured. A sheet resistance of the deposition of layers and a quantity of wafer processing edge movement are determined as functions of the measured resistances of the second and third resistors. An expected non-machined resistance of the first resistor is determined as a function of the determined sheet resistance and as a function of the determined quantity of edge movement. A non-machined resistance of the first resistor is measured.

Abstract: An apparatus, and method of forming the same, for measuring a head-to-disc contact force in a magnetic disc storage system are disclosed. A slider body of the head has a trailing edge and an air bearing surface. A flexible beam is formed on the slider body at a corner between the air bearing surface and the trailing edge. Contact between the flexible beam and the disc causes deflection of the flexible beam. A degree of deflection of the flexible beam is indicative of the force caused by contact between the head and the disc. The apparatus includes first and second electrical access terminals for use in determining a parameter indicative of the quantity of deflection of the flexible beam and thereby of the force caused by contact between the head and the disc.