Abstract: A test fixture for assembling and electrical testing of magnetic head includes a fixed baseplate, a cage, and an X-Y positioner that is adjustably mounted on the baseplate. The cage is formed of a flat, thin, elongated arm and is secured at its rear end to the X-Y positioner. The forward end of the cage extends into a notched section that surrounds part of the slider. A stationary mounting block supports and retains the suspension in a fixed position relative to the slider. In another embodiment, the rear end of the cage is secured to the stationary mounting block and the X-Y positioner supports the suspension.

Abstract: A test fixture for assembling and electrical testing of a magnetic head includes a fixed baseplate, a cage, and an X-Y positioner that is adjustably mounted on the baseplate. The cage is formed of a flat, thin, elongated arm and is secured at its rear end to the X-Y positioner. The forward end of the cage extends into a notched section that surrounds part of the slider. A stationary mounting block supports and retains the suspension in a fixed position relative to the slider. In another embodiment, the rear end of the cage is secured to the stationary mounting block and the X-Y positioner supports the suspension. The testing method includes pre-wiring a slider and separately mounting the wired slider and suspension into the test fixture. Adhesive is applied on the slider or suspension for establishing a temporary bond between the slider and the suspension. The suspension is then loaded onto and temporarily positioned relative to the slider.

Abstract: A method for optically testing a magnetic head having a slider and a suspension includes the steps of separately mounting the slider and the suspension in a test fixture. The slider is mounted in a cage and positioned relative to the suspension. The slider and the suspension are then tacked temporarily in place with a suitable adhesive. The magnetic head is flown over a glass disk and is illuminated through the glass disk with either a monochromatic or a polychromatic light beam. The operator then views the magnetic head through the glass disk with a microscope and observes the resulting diffraction interference patterns, which include bright and dark or colored bands. The operator analyzes the alignment of these bands, determines the pitch and roll errors of the magnetic head, and repositions either the slider or the suspension to correct for these errors.