Abstract: A head gimbal measurer for measuring the force loading on a head, the head having a plurality of air bearing surfaces, to predict the fly height of a selected one of the plurality of air bearing surfaces when the head is in operation relative to a rotating magnetically coated disc, including a measurement device for measuring the total normal force on the head and the differential normal force on each air bearing surface. A comparing device for comparing the measured total normal force on the head and the differential normal force on each air bearing surface with a known total normal force on the head and a known differential normal force on each air bearing surface to predict a fly height of the head when in operation relative to the rotating magnetically coated disc. The invention is further a load distribution measurement and adjustment device designed to shape a load arm of a head gimbal assembly used to transfer data to and from a rotating magnetically coated disc.

Abstract: In positioning a transducer head with respect to a supporting arm, the transducer head is subject to both a normal force and a moment force and has first and second air bearing surfaces. The apparatus includes a controller and first and second sensors for detecting the overturning moment and being adapted for providing data representative of the overturning moment to the controller. A first actuator varies the position of the load arm and a second actuator varies the position of the transducer head. The first and second actuators act in concert to negate the overturning moment. A third sensor detects the position of the first air bearing surface with respect to a known level reference and a third actuator positions the first air bearing surface of the transducer head. A fourth sensor detects the position of the second air bearing surface with respect to a known level reference and a fourth actuator positions the second air bearing surface of the transducer head.