Abstract: A test fixture for testing a head gimbal assembly having a flex circuit with a plurality of circuit pads, prior to installation of the head gimbal assembly into a disc drive. The fixture comprises a contact board having a plurality of electrically conductive contact points on a surface thereof, the contact points arranged to contact the circuit pads of the flex circuit. The fixture further comprises a clamp assembly connected to the contact board, the clamp assembly having an activation end, an opposite engagement end, and a pivot axis extending orthogonal to an axis defined by the activation end and the engagement end. The engagement end has a non-conductive engagement surface configured to contact the head gimbal assembly on a surface opposite the plurality of circuit pads.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a spinstand configured to position a disk in a testing orientation and a motor coupled to the spinstand, configured to rotate the disk. The motor comprises a fluid dynamic bearing.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus, including a spinstand configured to position a disk in a testing orientation and a motor coupled to the spinstand, configured to rotate the disk. The motor comprises a fluid dynamic bearing.

Abstract: A clean suspension assembly for capturing particles carried by airflow along the suspension assembly includes an opening formed in the suspension assembly, and a particle capture device attached to the suspension assembly. In a further embodiment, the suspension assembly also includes a deflector located adjacent the opening.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly (HGA) for use in a forward flow disc drive includes a load beam having a longitudinal axis, a gimbal, a slider, and an air deflector. The gimbal is mounted to a distal end of the load beam. The slider includes a transducing head and is mounted to a disc side of the gimbal and is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the load beam. The air deflector includes a first deflecting member that is positioned upstream of the slider relative to a forward airflow. The air deflector extends from a disc side of either the distal end of the load beam or the gimbal and across the longitudinal axis. The air deflector deflects a portion of the forward airflow away from the slider to thereby reduce windage induced off-track motion of the transducing head.

Abstract: A magnetic disc drive system is disclosed. The disc drive system includes at least one substantially flat magnetic disc, at least one read/write head, at least one head stack assembly, at least one head gimbal assembly, and at least one suspension limiter. The suspension limiter is operatively connected to the head stack assembly. The distal end of the suspension limiter is positioned proximate but normally not in contact with the head gimbal assembly for preventing large head slaps in both operational and nonoperational mode.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly (HGA) for use in a forward flow disc drive includes a load beam having a longitudinal axis, a gimbal, a slider, and an air deflector. The gimbal is mounted to a distal end of the load beam. The slider includes a transducing head and is mounted to a disc side of the gimbal and is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the load beam. The air deflector includes a first deflecting member that is positioned upstream of the slider relative to a forward airflow. The air deflector extends from a disc side of either the distal end of the load beam or the gimbal and across the longitudinal axis. The air deflector deflects a portion of the forward airflow away from the slider to thereby reduce windage induced off-track motion of the transducing head.

Abstract: A disc drive head gimbal assembly includes a load beam, a gimbal, a disc head slider carrying a tranducing element and a displacement limiter. The load beam has a distal end, a cross member extending across an opening at the distal end, and a load point on the cross member. The gimbal includes a flexure arm to which the disc head slider is mounted for pitch and roll motion about the load point. The displacement limiter includes a pair of first limiter members attached to the cross member adjacent the load point and a pair of second limiter members attached to the gimbal. Each of the second limiter members are positioned to engage one of the first limiter members to limit the vertical displacement of the disc head slider relative to the load beam.

Abstract: In a disc drive with a disc spun by a motor and a head positionable over the disc, a disc drive controller alternately leaves the head landed on successive landing spots in a landing zone on the disc for selected stop intervals to remove an increment of lubricant from the head with each stop and then automatically lifts the head by spinning the disc for selected run intervals between the stop intervals so the head does not stick to the disc.

Abstract: A disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer. The transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature. The armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer. The slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface. As the disc rotates, the air bearing surface causes the slider to “fly” over the disc surface. Pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system.

Abstract: A slider for a magnetic disc drive includes a recess at the trailing edge of the slider. A thin film inductive magnetic transducer protrudes from a lower surface of the recess, the transducer having patterned magnetic poles. A barrier layer formed of an oleophobic, hydrophobic polymer having a surface energy lower than the surface tension of lubricant on the disc is bonded to the lower surface of the recess. One suitable polymer for the barrier layer is a fluorochemical acrylate.