Abstract: A method and tool for measurement of the roll static attitude and y-misalignment of magnetic recording sliders within the head stack assembly having reference elements placed on the deposited end of the magnetic recording slider, which are optically analyzed by a video camera connected to a computer. For fast measurement the head stack assembly is clamped in a fixture mounted on motorized stages, which move each slider into the measurement position. In a two step imaging and analyzing process, the orientation and location of one or more edges of the reference element are computed and compared with known control parameters.

Abstract: A suspension system comprises an actuator arm and two suspensions. Each suspension has a load beam and a laminated member comprised of a support layer, an electrically insulating layer, and an electrically conducting layer. The laminated members are etched to form electrical lines for each suspension. The laminate member of each suspension is bent along the side of the arm such that they overlap one another in order to reduce the required space.