Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head suspension assembly includes attaching a slider with a magnetic head to an intermediate flexible circuit. The attached combination is then inserted into a spin stand tester for the testing of electrical performance. If the attached combination fails the test, it is discarded, thereby avoiding the cost of discarding an entire head suspension assembly. On the other hand, if the attached combination passes the test, it is mounted to a load beam to form the head suspension assembly. Thereafter, a flex circuit can be attached to the load beam and intermediate flexible circuit to provide electrical connections to the magnetic head through the intermediate flexible circuit.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly includes a load beam, a flexible member or flexure, and an air bearing slider. Disposed on the flexible member is a plurality of bonding pads. Bonding pads are also formed on the edge surfaces of the slider. The bonding pads of the slider and the corresponding bonding pads on the flexible member are attached to each other via bonding joints. One of the bonding pads is electrically linked to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) path and the other bonding pads are connected to electrical signal traces which convey electrical signals to and from magnetic transducers. The undesirable steps of epoxy application for adhering a slider to a flexure can be eliminated, thus resulting in a more reliable and accurately oriented slider in a magnetic head suspension assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a magnetic head suspension assembly includes attaching a slider with a magnetic head to an intermediate flexible circuit. The attached combination is then inserted into a spin stand tester for the testing of electrical performance. If the attached combination fails the test, it is discarded, thereby avoiding the cost of discarding an entire head suspension assembly. On the other hand, if the attached combination passes the test, it is mounted to a load beam to form the head suspension assembly. Thereafter, a flex circuit can be attached to the load beam and intermediate flexible circuit to provide electrical connections to the magnetic head through the intermediate flexible circuit.

Abstract: A protective carrier for a magnetic head magnetic head assembly includes a housing having buffering members attached to the housing. When the carrier is engaged with the magnetic head magnetic head assembly, the buffering members are rotated into the spacings between the magnetic heads so as to prevent direct physical contact of the magnetic heads. When the carrier is disengaged from the magnetic head magnetic head assembly, the buffering members are rotated out of the spacings between the magnetic heads. The carrier prevents collision of the magnetic heads during handling and transportation and consequently reduces production loss.