Abstract: A suspension assembly for a magnetic head reduces isolation forces caused by swaging the suspension to an actuator arm of a disk drive. The suspension is formed with a first end, and a second end having an inner periphery which defines an opening. Tabs extend from the inner periphery into the opening. A base plate with a cylindrical hub is welded to the tabs and the hub extends through the inner periphery. Multiple isolation welds formed on the suspension cooperate with the tabs to isolate forces and limit force propagation when the hub is swaged to the actuator arm.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a magnetic head reduces isolation forces caused by swaging the suspension to an actuator arm of a disk drive. The suspension is formed with a first end, and a second end having an inner periphery which defines an opening. Tabs extend from the inner periphery into the opening. A base plate with a cylindrical hub is welded to the tabs and the hub extends through the inner periphery. The tabs isolate forces caused when the hub is swaged to the actuator arm.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a magnetic head reduces isolation forces caused by swaging the suspension to an actuator arm of a disk drive. The suspension is formed with a first end, and a second end having an inner periphery which defines an opening. Tabs extend from the inner periphery into the opening. A base plate with a cylindrical hub is welded to the tabs and the hub extends through the inner periphery. Multiple isolation welds formed on the suspension cooperate with the tabs to isolate forces and limit force propagation when the hub is swaged to the actuator arm.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a magnetic head reduces isolation forces caused by swaging the suspension to an actuator arm of a disk drive. The suspension is formed with a first end, and a second end having an inner periphery which defines an opening. Tabs extend from the inner periphery into the opening. A base plate with a cylindrical hub is welded to the tabs and the hub extends through the inner periphery. Multiple isolation welds formed on the suspension cooperate with the tabs to isolate forces and limit force propagation when the hub is swaged to the actuator arm.

Abstract: The gram load of head gimbal assemblies (HGA) of a head stack assembly (HSA) is adjusted before the HSA is installed in a disk drive. Each HGA includes an elongated flexible member having a bend that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the HGA. The apparatus includes means for removably mounting the HSA for movement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the selected HGA to a Gram Load Adjusting (GLA) station, means to restrain movement of the HGA during gram load adjustment, a force-transmitting bar having an elongated bearing edge, means for positioning the bar with the edge parallel to the bend and in force-transmitting contact with the bend area of the flexible element, and means for moving the edge to adjust the gram load to a desired value.

Abstract: The gram load of head gimbal assemblies (HGA) of a head stack assembly (HSA) is adjusted before the HSA is installed in a disk drive. Each HGA includes an elongated flexible member having a bend that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the HGA. The apparatus includes means for removably mounting the HSA for movement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the selected HGA to a Gram Load Adjusting (GLA) station, means to restrain movement of the HGA during gram load adjustment, a force-transmitting bar having an elongated bearing edge, means for positioning the bar with the edge parallel to the bend and in force-transmitting contact with the bend area of the flexible element, and means for moving the edge to adjust the gram load to a desired value.

Abstract: A head arm assembly for use in a disk file includes an elongated thin element having one end supporting a head gimbal assembly (HGA) which is biased toward a recording surface of a magnetic disk during normal operation. The element is preferably made of a metal that has a flex characteristic predetermined in accordance with selected specifications of the head arm. The opposite end of the element is provided with an etched out opening for a pivot bearing and is encased in a moldable material having a different and more rigid flex characteristic. The head arm assembly is provided with the required two flex characteristics for successful operation but does not require the precise joining of two separate and distinct metal elements.

Abstract: A method of assembling a head stack on a pivot bearing for use in a head positioning mechanism of a disk drive in which a plurality of different head stack components are clamped on the bearing comprises providing a plurality of head stack components, each having an opening for receiving the bearing. The head stack assembly includes two pairs of head arms, spacers and a flat coil member. A caddy positions the components with their respective openings disposed on a common axis. The head arm assemblies are positioned in the caddy with the openings biased against each other and disposed on the common axis. The flat coil member is placed between the pairs of arm assemblies with its opening on the common axis. The head stack components in the caddy are angularly aligned on the common axis. A threaded end of the bearing is inserted through the openings and receives a clamping nut which is tightened to clamp the components on the bearing for conjoint movement with the flat coil component. The caddy is then removed.

Abstract: A tool for assembling a head stack on a pivot bearing of a magnetic head positioning mechanism in which a caddy and base combination cooperate to position a plurality of different head stack components in an aligned relationship to permit the pivot bearing to be inserted through an opening in each component adapted to receive the bearing. The head stack components to be positioned include two pairs of head arm assemblies, spacers and a flat coil member. The component caddy is readily removable from the caddy base. The caddy and base include vertical projections that define a slot for receiving each of the head arm assemblies with the ends of each pair containing the openings biased against each other and the openings disposed on the common axis.