Abstract: A method comprises manufacturing a read/write head for a disk drive; then testing the read/write head; and then mounting the read/write head to a suspension only after the testing step indicates that the read/write head is not defective. The testing may be performed by writing information to and reading information from a non-disc shaped media paddle that is caused to move back and forth with respect to the read/write head in oscillatory fashion.

Abstract: A sample stage of a precision sample positioning system includes a sample plate supported above a base plate on a plurality of slider assemblies. Each slider assembly includes a base slider secured to a surface of the base plate and a stage slider secured to the sample plate. Each slider is made from a common material. The common material possesses the characteristic of not having a yield point, and having a sufficiently high strength so as to permit sliding without surface degradation.

Abstract: Micro-stiffening controls resonance in manufactured devices by reducing the amplitude of resonant vibration due to specific system dependent resonant frequencies. One specific use of the present invention relates to magnetic recording head suspensions wherein the reduction in amplitude, or damping, of detrimental resonant frequencies is achieved by micro-stiffening of specific areas of the suspension. By micro-stiffening the metal of the magnetic head suspension the amplitude of resonant oscillations is reduced at its origin. Thus, resonant oscillations no longer propagate along the entire length of the suspension. The magnetic head does not modulate significantly, resulting in alleviation of the detrimental effects of resonant oscillation on magnetic recording including cross-track error and head to disk spacing modulations.

Abstract: A suspension for a rigid disk drive suspends a magnetic head over a recording disk in a cantilever fashion. The suspension includes a load beam and a spring assembly which are integrally formed together. The spring assembly includes a bonding tab suspended within the plane of the load beam by two flexible longitudinal arms connected to two flexible transverse arms. The flexible arms permit the bonding tab to roll about the longitudinal axis and pitch about the transverse axis, while preventing the bonding tab from sticking in an off-axis position. The suspension design also minimizes the effect of suspension torsional resonance on the magnetic head by positioning the bonding tab within the plane of the load beam. In addition, the bonding tab defines an aperture which receives a protuberance of the magnetic head to precisely index the magnetic head with the bonding tab, and thus center the magnetic head about a load support point.

Abstract: A composite magnetic head slider is shown. The magnetic head slider includes a slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a side surface extending therebetween. The slider body includes an hydrodynamic surface which co-acts with an air cushion on a moving magnetic media and the hydrodynamic surface includes an air bearing surface which extends between the leading edge and trailing edge of the slider body. The air bearing surface is substantially perpendicular to the side surface. A magnetic transducing element formed of a polycrystaline ferrite material and having a transducing gap located adjacent the trailing edge and air bearing surface is rigidly joined to the side surface of the slider with a bonding layer comprising a material by weight approximately 80% gold and approximately 20% tin.