Abstract: A head suspension includes a damper having a constraint layer formed unitarily with the flexure. The damper is located on the same face of the load beam as the flexure and acts to damp resonance vibrations of the head suspension. The constraint layer overlays the damper and is coupled to the flexure by a narrow neck. In this way, the constraint layer can be aligned and attached to the beam along with the flexure. This facilitates alignment of the constraint layer. Further, the narrowness of the neck coupling the constraint layer to the flexure reduces transmission of vibrations from the load beam to the flexure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing disk drive head suspensions of the type for supporting a transducer head in a loaded state at a fly height above an information storage disk. A desired loaded state side profile for the suspension is determined, for example, by experimental or numerical techniques. The nature and location of one or more weakening structures on the suspension are then determined. The weakening structures will cause the profile of the suspension to change as the suspension moves from an unloaded state to the loaded state, and to have the desired loaded state side profile when in the loaded state at the fly height. Experimental and empirical techniques can be used to determine the nature and location of the weakening structures. A plurality of the suspensions, each having the weakening structures, are then manufactured. Suspension manufactured by the method can be optimized for resonance and other performance-related characteristics.

Abstract: A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a damping member for damping vibrations of the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The damping member extends from the head suspension and has a free end such that it can frictionally contact the head suspension to damp resonance mode frequency vibrations thereof.

Abstract: A head suspension including a load beam and flexure having a vibration absorbing member for vibrating at resonance mode vibrations of the head suspension. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region adjacent to a distal end, and a spring region between the mounting region and the rigid region. The flexure is at the distal end of the load beam and is for supporting a head slider. The vibration absorbing member extends from the head suspension and has a resonance mode frequency substantially the same as one of the resonance mode frequencies of the head suspension. As such, the vibration absorbing member absorbs energy on the head suspension at a resonance mode frequency thereof, acting to reduce gain at a resonance mode frequency of the head suspension.