Abstract: A data storage device may be tested during or after manufacture by a testing device that may have at least a work piece with at least one contact pad concurrently contacting bottom and sidewall surfaces of a probe tip with a centering feature of the at least one contact pad.

Abstract: A lapping system including a substrate having an air bearing surface and at least one slider, wherein each slider comprises at least one electronic lapping guide pad, and a probe card comprising at least one extending probe comprising a body member and a distal end, the probe card being movable in a direction of compression between a first position in which the distal end of a first extending probe is spaced from a top surface of one of a first electronic lapping guide pad and a second position in which the distal end of the first extending probe contacts the top surface the first electronic lapping guide pad, wherein the first extending probe is pre-loaded with a predetermined spring force in the direction of compression.

Abstract: A data storage device may be tested during or after manufacture by a testing device that may have at least a work piece with at least one contact pad concurrently contacting bottom and sidewall surfaces of a probe tip with a centering feature of the at least one contact pad.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology describes systems and methods for attaining a ball bond using less than 1 thousandth of an inch diameter gold wire using ultrasonic bonding energy and without heating an underlying bonding pad. The ball bond allows the use of particularly small bonding pads that are particularly close to adjacent microelectronic structures that limit the use of other bonding techniques that have shallow take-off angles.