Abstract: A method of fabricating a disc drive actuation system having a head level magnetic micro-actuation assembly utilizing flexible beam inserts and the disc drive actuation system thereby produced are provided.

Abstract: A system for unloading heads from and loading heads into cooperative engagement with discs in a disc drive, including a novel head suspension for mounting and supporting the heads. The head suspension includes a primary ramp contact feature formed as a portion of the load beam portion of the head suspension and a secondary ramp contact feature formed as an extension of the mounting tab of the gimbal portion of the head suspension. The primary ramp contact feature acts as the principal lifting mechanism of the head suspension, while the secondary ramp contact feature serves to controllably lift the head. In an alternative embodiment, only the secondary ramp contact feature is used for the unloading and loading of the head.

Abstract: A microactuator for radially positioning a transducing head over a selected radial track of a rotatable disc in a disc drive system having a flexure to support a slider carrying the transducing head includes a stator operatively attached to the flexure. First and second pole pieces are substantially parallel to and spaced from each other, each having first and second ends. A via magnetically connects the first and second pole pieces. The first and second pole pieces are shaped so that a first gap between the first end of the first pole piece and the first end of the second pole piece is smaller than a second gap between the second end of the first pole piece and the second end of the second pole piece. A plurality of coils are wrapped around the stator. A rotor confronts the second end of the first pole piece and the second end of the second pole piece.

Abstract: A disc drive has a recording disc rotatable about an axis and a slider supporting a transducing head for transducing data with the disc. A dual-stage actuation assembly supports the slider to position the transducing head adjacent a selected radial track of the disc, and includes a movable actuator arm and a load beam connected to the actuator arm. A flexure is connected to the load beam for supporting the slider, and includes first conductive traces terminating at first bond pads and at least one second conductive trace electrically connected to the transducing head. A microactuator includes a rotor operatively connected to the slider for radially moving the transducing head and a stator connected to the flexure at the first bond pads.

Abstract: A drum stand for an African drum includes a rigid frame that is connected to a seat. The frame includes at least two legs and an opening to accept the drum wherein the drum rests in the frame and wherein the drum is suspended above the ground whereby an arcuate portion of the lower opening of the drum contacts the ground.

Abstract: A suspension (22, 102, 2190) supports a slider assembly (20, 204) in a disc drive (10). The suspension (22, 102, 190) includes a longitudinal axis (48, 114, 210), a proximal mounting section (40, 106) for mounting to a rigid track accessing arm (24, 204), a distal mounting section (42, 108) for supporting the slider assembly (20, 204), and first and second laterally spaced suspension beams (44, 46, 110, 112, 206, 208) extending from the proximal mounting section (40, 106) to the distal mounting section (42, 108). The first and second suspension beams (44, 46, 110, 112, 206, 208) have inside and outside edges (66, 68, 124, 126) relative to the longitudinal axis (48, 114, 210) and are flat from the inside edges (66, 124) to the outside edges (68, 126). A first preload bend (80, 113, 214) is formed in the first and second suspension beams (44, 46, 110, 112, 206, 208) transverse to the longitudinal axis (48, 114, 210).

Abstract: A disc head slider (36) includes a slider body with leading, trailing, inside and outside slider edges (50,52,54,56) and a slider center line (58) extending from the leading slider edge (50) to the trailing slider edge (52). First and second raised side rails (60,62) are formed in the slider body and each include an inside rail edge (108), an outside rail edge (110), a leading rail edge (50) and a trailing rail edge (112). The first and second raised side rails (60,62) form first and second bearing surfaces (70,72), respectively, which terminate prior to the trailing slider edge (52). A raised center rail (64) extends along the slider center line (58) and between the first and second raised rails (60,62). First and second cavities (80a,80b) are positioned between the raised center rail (64) and the first and second raised rails (60,62), respectively.

Abstract: A disc head slider for communicating with a rotating disc includes a slider body with leading and trailing slider edges, inside and outside slider edges relative to the disc, and a center line which extends from the leading slider edge to the trailing slider edge. A center rail is positioned substantially along the center line and includes inside and outside rail edges, a bearing surface and an edge step surface which is raised from the slider body and recessed from the bearing surface. The edge step surface extends along at least one of the inside and outside rail edges and has a greater area along the inside rail edge than the outside rail edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting head-supporting flexures in a disc drive includes a transverse hole closely adjacent the distal end of head mounting arms, the transverse hole communicating to the distal surface of the head mounting arm through a transverse slot. Flexures are formed with a substantially semi-cylindrical transverse channel at their proximal mounting ends. A pair of flexures--or a single flexure and a dummy channel blank--are placed in back-to-back relationship such that the transverse channels form a substantially cylindrical transverse opening, and a transverse pin is inserted in the transverse opening. The flexures and pin--or single flexure, dummy channel blank and pin--are then inserted into the transverse hole in the head mounting arm with the flexures extending distally through the transverse slot. The components may be held in their assembled positions by interference fit, or the transverse pin may be deformed after assembly to lock the components in their assembled condition.

Abstract: A self-loading disc head slider includes a leading slider edge, a trailing slider edge and first and second raised side rails with first and second bearing surfaces, respectively. A cross rail extends between and is coplanar with the first and second raised side rails. A tapered surface is formed within the first and second raised side rails and the cross rail. The tapered surface extends from the leading slider edge to an intersection with the first and second bearing surfaces. A subambient pressure cavity is positioned between the cross rail and the trailing slider edge. A notch is positioned within the tapered surface, which extends from the leading slider edge to the cross rail and terminates prior to the intersection. The notch defines a leading edge of the cross rail along the tapered surface such that the leading edge of the cross rail is recessed from the first and second bearing surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is a subambient pressure air bearing slider having a slider body with a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second side edges. First and second side rails are positioned along the first and second side edges, respectively, with each side rail defining an air bearing surface. The cavity dam extends between the first and second side rails and is recessed from the bearing surfaces. A subambient pressure cavity extends between the first and second side rails adjacent the cavity dam. The leading edge taper is formed along the leading edge and has a surface extending from the leading edge to an intersection with the air bearing surfaces of the first and second side rails. First and second side walls are formed within the leading edge taper between the first and second side edges. The first and second side walls converge towards the leading edge from the intersection of the bearing surfaces and the leading edge taper.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for supporting a magnetic transducer includes a pair of raised side rails along the sides of the air bearing surface of the slider. Each side rail has a leading edge, a trailing edge, a waist section therebetween and an inner edge extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge. A ratio of a trailing width to a waist section width is greater than or substantially equal to 1.0. The waist sections are offset in an inward direction such that the inner edges of the side rails form convex lines relative to lines extending between the leading edges and the trailing edges of each respective side rail.

Abstract: The present invention is a subambient pressure air bearing slider having a slider body with a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second side edges. First and second side rails are positioned along the first and second side edges, respectively, with each side rail defining an air bearing surface. The cavity dam extends between the first and second side rails and is recessed from the bearing surfaces. A subambient pressure cavity extends between the first and second side rails adjacent the cavity dam. The leading edge taper is formed along the leading edge and has a surface extending from the leading edge to an intersection with the air bearing surfaces of the first and second side rails. First and second side walls are formed within the leading edge taper between the first and second side edges. The first and second side walls converge towards the leading edge from the intersection of the bearing surfaces and the leading edge taper.

Abstract: A slider supports a transducer proximate a rotating disc. The slider includes a slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second edges. First and second raised side rails are positioned along the first and second edges, respectively, to form a pair of air bearing surfaces. The first and second side rails each includes a trailing edge relief positioned adjacent the trailing edge. The trailing edge reliefs are recessed from the air bearing surfaces and are raised from the slider body. The trailing edge reliefs have depths which are suitable for forming subambient pressure regions at the trailing edge.

Abstract: A gimbal for supporting an air bearing slider proximate a rotating disc. The gimbal comprises a flexure seat with first and second opposite ends. A first pair of long, thin beams extend between the first end and the second end. A first cross beam connects the first pair of long, thin beams at the first end such that the beams are spaced at the first end by a first distance. A second cross beam connects the first pair of long, thin beams at the second end such that the beams are spaced at the second end by a second distance, shorter than the first distance. A central pad is connected to the first cross beam and is suspended between the first pair of beams for connection to the air bearing slider.

Abstract: A self-loading air bearing disc head slider supports a transducer proximate a rotating disc. The slider includes a slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second side edges. First and second side rails are positioned along the first and second side edges, respectively. The first and second side rails each form an air bearing surface. A cross rail is positioned at the leading edge and extends between the first and second side rails. The cross rail includes a relief or "notch" which is recessed from the air bearing surfaces. The relief minimizes debris collection at the leading edge and reduces pitch angle. The leading edge can include a leading edge taper with a relief which communicates with the relief in the cross rail.

Abstract: An air bearing slider for supporting an electromagnetic transducer over a rotating disk. The slider comprises a slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and first and second side edges. First and second side rails are positioned along the first and second side edges, respectively, and form air bearing surfaces with inside and outside edges. The inside and outside edges converge from the leading edge to a break and diverge from the break to the trailing edge.