Abstract: A magnet/block assembly is provided for creating and distributing a magnetic field that interacts with a magnetic field produced by an actuator coil in a disc drive system. The magnet/block includes permanent magnets and a block comprised of a back iron separated from a front iron by a gap space. A loop is integrally formed with the back iron and the front iron at an end of the gap space to provide a path for flux to be conducted between the front iron and the back iron.

Abstract: A disk drive having an actuator arm for positioning a magnetic recording head over a magnetic surface is disclosed. The actuator arm has a supported end for connection to a rotatable shaft and a free end opposite the supported end for supporting a flex arm and a magnetic recording head/gimbal assembly. Between the supported end and free end is a tapered body including a first major surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a second major surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and first and second longitudinal edges. The body is thicker at the proximal end than at the distal end, and is thicker along its central longitudinal axis than at the first and second longitudinal edges.