Abstract: Apparatus for receiving and positioning a read/write head to a disk in a test apparatus has a deck and a spindle on the deck and on which a disk can be mounted for rotation of the disk. A gripper is provided for holding a head during testing, the gripper being movable over a surface of the deck. A precisor receives a head and accurately aligns the head, the precisor being movable over a surface of the deck. A pick is operable to pick up and place down a head. The precisor is movable to a position where the pick can pick up a head from the precisor and place down a head on the precisor. The gripper is movable to a position where the pick can pick up a head from the gripper and place down a head on the gripper.

Abstract: A magnetic head/support assembly for incorporation in the data access mechanism of a disk file includes a magnetic head and assembly and a separate member for locating the head leads remotely from the head element. The head lead locating member preferably comprises a pair of adhesively bonded thin laminate strips, between which the leads are situated. The strips maintain the leads in a fixed spaced apart relationship for a sufficient portion of their lengths to permit direct electrical connection to a correspondingly spaced pattern of conductors on external data channel circuitry carried by the data access mechanism.

Abstract: A head carrier for carrying a plurality of head/arm assemblies each of which comprises a rigid arm portion supporting two flexures biased away from each other and a transducer bearing slider at the free end of each flexure. The head carrier provides the head/arm assemblies in the correct orientation for assembly to the actuator mechanism of a disk file. The head/arm assemblies can be attached to the actuator without removing the carrier.