Abstract: A mirror is shaped using a shaping apparatus including a crossbar and a horizontal array of members (wheels in some embodiments) attached to a bottom of the crossbar. The height of the array of members is adjusted to form a predetermined shape. The shaping apparatus is positioned over a mirror such that the members contact the mirror. The shaping apparatus is moved along a length of the mirror such that the members remain in contact with the mirror. A frame is attached to the mirror such that when the shaping apparatus is removed from the mirror, the mirror substantially retains the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A removable cartridge for magnetic head and disk testers is disclosed. The removable cartridge includes: a base plate; a first end of an actuator rigidly fixed to the base plate; an HGA mounting block rigidly fixed to a second end of the actuator; a first end of a flexure rigidly coupled to the HGA mounting block; and a second end of the flexure rigidly coupled to the base plate.

Abstract: A mechanism for placing and removing a vacuum clamping device for a magnetic disk on a spinstand, comprised of automated vertical and horizontal movement arranged such that a vacuum disk chuck, comprised of a base (9) and cap (6), can be used without operator interaction. Linear actuators provide the horizontal (2) and vertical (3) movement forces to accurately move a chuck cap (6) over a magnetic disk (7) that has been placed on a chuck base (9). The same actuators remove the cap and move it away from the disk to allow quick replacement of the disk. The interface between the mechanism and disk chuck cap is designed such that the cap is securely held during motion, and does not create particles.

Abstract: A mirror is shaped using a shaping apparatus including a crossbar and a horizontal array of members (wheels in some embodiments) attached to a bottom of the crossbar. The height of the array of members is adjusted to form a predetermined shape. The shaping apparatus is positioned over a mirror such that the members contact the mirror. The shaping apparatus is moved along a length of the mirror such that the members remain in contact with the mirror. A frame is attached to the mirror such that when the shaping apparatus is removed from the mirror, the mirror substantially retains the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A quasi-static tester is disclosed. The quasi static tester comprises: a mount configured to fix a head gimbal assembly in a given position; a camera configured to observe the head gimbal assembly when the head gimbal assembly is fixed in the mount, wherein the camera is used to position the head gimbal assembly in an observation position; and a magnet for performing quasi-static testing of the head gimbal assembly when the head gimbal assembly is fixed in the mount, wherein the observation position and a testing position in a uniform area of the magnet are a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: A quasi-static tester is disclosed. The quasi static tester comprises: a mount configured to fix a head gimbal assembly in a given position; a camera configured to observe the head gimbal assembly when the head gimbal assembly is fixed in the mount, wherein the camera is used to position the head gimbal assembly in an observation position; and a magnet for performing quasi-static testing of the head gimbal assembly when the head gimbal assembly is fixed in the mount, wherein the observation position and a testing position in a uniform area of the magnet are a predetermined distance apart.

Abstract: A mechanism for placing and removing a vacuum clamping device for a magnetic disk on a spinstand, comprised of automated vertical and horizontal movement arranged such that a vacuum disk chuck, comprised of a base (9) and cap (6), can be used without operator interaction. Linear actuators provide the horizontal (2) and vertical (3) movement forces to accurately move a chuck cap (6) over a magnetic disk (7) that has been placed on a chuck base (9). The same actuators remove the cap and move it away from the disk to allow quick replacement of the disk. The interface between the mechanism and disk chuck cap is designed such that the cap is securely held during motion, and does not create particles.

Abstract: A spinstand having a vacuum chuck clamping mechanism for securing magnetic discs includes a cap (9) and a base (10). A disk-to-be-clamped is held between the cap (9) and the base (10). Vacuum, applied through a port (4) in a mounting screw (12) of the base, provides the clamping force. The vacuum is held constant using a circumferential seal (27) on a piston (2) of the cap, which extends into a cylindrical countering bushing (3) extending from the base. In one form, the cap (9) is centered about a spin axis (SA) extending through the base (10), using a hardened pin (1) extending from the cap and a locating bushing (19) affixed to the base. When the cap (9) is inserted into the base (10), the pin (1) prevents a piston (2) in the cap from contacting the inside walls/sealing surface (11) of the centering bushing (3) of the base.