Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the pitch static attitude of a slider in an integrated lead suspension head gimbal assembly. The integrated lead suspension includes a load beam, a mount plate, a hinge and a flexure made out of a multi-layer material. Localized heating is applied to the outrigger leads during the process of forming flexure legs to set a stable pitch static attitude, which does not change, by subsequent thermal exposures.

Abstract: The pitch static attitude of a slider in an integrated lead suspension head gimbal assembly of a disk drive is controlled at the manufacturing stage. The integrated lead suspension includes a load beam, a mount plate, a hinge and a flexure made out of a multi-layer material. The flexure legs and the outrigger leads are simultaneously plastically deformed to define the pitch static attitude. The flexure legs and the outrigger leads are deformed at approximately the same longitudinal location.

Abstract: A disk drive is provided with controlled pitch static attitude of the sliders in an integrated lead suspension head gimbal assembly. The integrated lead suspension includes a load beam, a mount plate, a hinge and a flexure made out of a multi-layer material. Localized heating is applied to the outrigger leads during the process of forming flexure legs to set a stable pitch static attitude, which does not change, by subsequent thermal exposures.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the pitch static attitude of a slider in an integrated lead suspension head gimbal assembly. The integrated lead suspension includes a load beam, a mount plate, a hinge and a flexure made out of a multi-layer material. The flexure legs and the outrigger leads are simultaneously plastically deformed to define the pitch static attitude. The flexure legs and the outrigger leads are deformed at approximately the same longitudinal location.

Abstract: An integrated gimbal suspension includes a flexure with an integrated, built-in gimbal, and includes a limiter structure that constrains motions of the gimbal in multi-degrees of freedom. The limiter structure includes one or more tab-shaped limiters and corresponding stops integrally formed into the gimbal assembly at strategic locations, which interact to provide the desired constraints to the motions of the flexure gimbal to prevent permanent damage from over-straining the gimbal or flexure beyond its designed range. The limiters may be pre-formed tab-shaped structures that are bent from the plane of the flexure. As the gimbal moves from its nominal position, one or more limiters engage the stops before such motion reaches the limit of the designed range of motion of the gimbal.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk drive achieves continuous contact recording with a head-suspension assembly that compensates for the moment generated from an adhesive force between the head carrier or slider and the disk. The slider pivot point, which is the point where the load force is applied to the flexure that supports the slider, is located closer to the front end of the slider than the net force applied by the air-bearing surface of the slider when the disk is rotating at its operational speed. This assures that the net air-bearing force generates a moment about the pivot point to partially counteract the flexure moment and the moment generated from the adhesive force between the disk and the slider's contact pad.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is designed to carry a slider and read/write head elements in a magnetic data storage device. The suspension assembly is formed from a composite laminate structure that includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth material layers. The layers are arranged such that the second layer is disposed between the first and third layers, and the fourth layer is disposed between the third and fifth layers. The laminate structure is configured using a suitable removal process, such as partial chemical etching, to define a mount plate, a hinge, a load beam functional end, and an electrical lead system. The laminate structure may be further formed with a flexure gimbal system that comprises the third, fourth and fifth layers.

Abstract: A microactuator device for effecting fine positioning of a transducing head with respect to a selected track on a disk having: an S-shaped piezoelectric element with three or more legs having opposite ends, wherein either; one end of the piezoelectric element is affixed or connected to one end of the slider, and the other end is affixed or connected to the flexure member, or both ends of the element affixed to corresponding ends of the slider and the center is affixed to the flexure, for obtaining movement of the head transducer to enable fast and accurate tracking of read/write tracks on a high track density disk. Attachment of the one leg of piezoelectric element to the flexure produces translation movement of the slider and head transducer while attachment of the center leg of the element to the flexure and the two ends legs to the slider produces a rotary movement of the head transducer.

Abstract: An integrated suspension for a hard disk drive is formed as a single-piece flat assembly. The design eliminates the need for mechanical reinforcement such as flange forming, and requires no additional weld processing to form the functional portion of the assembly. A partial etch process is used to reduce local thicknesses in the gimbal and hinge areas to reduce the overall stiffness of the suspension. The proximal end structure of the suspension is also built by partial etching to achieve higher natural frequencies. The suspension design also incorporates built-in load/unload features and two-sided, opposite-facing limiters to limit excessive slider displacement during the manufacturing process, loading/unloading, and non-operational shock environments.

Abstract: A microactuator device for effecting fine positioning of a transducing head with respect to a selected track on a disk, wherein the piezoelectric microactuator element is positioned adjacent to one side of and substantially coextensive with a slider, the slider being attached to the moving end of a flexure, and the two ends of the microactuator element are attached to the moving end and fixed legs of the flexure and provide rotary motion.

Abstract: A microactuator device for effecting fine positioning of a transducing head with respect to a selected track on a disk having: an S-shaped piezoelectric element with three or more legs having opposite ends, wherein either; one end of the piezoelectric element is affixed or connected to one end of the slider, and the other end is affixed or connected to the flexure member, or both ends of element affixed to corresponding ends of slider and center affixed to flexure, for obtaining movement of the head transducer to enable fast and accurate tracking of read/write track on a high track density disk. Attachment of the one leg of piezoelectric element to the flexure produces translation movement of the slider and head transducer while attachment of the center leg of the element to flexure and two ends legs to the slider produces a rotary movement of the head transducer.

Abstract: A microactuator device for effecting fine positioning of a transducing head with respect the selected track on a disk, wherein the piezoelectric microactuator element is positioned adjacent to one side of and substantially coextensive with a slider, the slider being attached to the moving end of a flexure, and the two ends of microactuator element are attached to moving end and fixed legs of the flexure and provide rotary motion.

Abstract: A microactuator device for effecting fine positioning of a transducing head with respect to a selected track on a disk having: a C-shaped piezoelectric element having opposite ends, wherein one end of the piezoelectric element is affixed or connected to one end of the slider, and the other end is affixed or connected to the flexure member for obtaining rotational movement of the piezoelectric element to enable faster and more accurate tracking of the disk by head transducer. Alternately, the C-shaped piezoelectric element has one end affixed or connected to suspension mount plate and other end affixed or actuator arm to obtain larger head movement for further enhanced track following. The C-shaped element could be multiple layered or be shaped like a horizontal or vertical spiral to further increase the element and head movement and tracking accuracy along with faster seek and travel.

Abstract: A suspension load beam for carrying a slider and read/write head elements in a magnetic data storage device is formed from a composite laminate material sheet that includes first and second primary layers respectively comprising first and second structural load bearing material sheets sandwiching an intermediate secondary layer comprising a third structural load bearing material sheet. The secondary layer is made of a different material than either of the first and second primary layers. One or more areas of reduced thickness are etched into one or both of the primary layers down to the secondary layer at one or more locations on the laminate material sheet.

Abstract: A suspension assembly is designed to carry a slider and read/write head elements in a magnetic data storage device. The suspension assembly is formed from a composite laminate structure that includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth material layers. The layers are arranged such that the second layer is disposed between the first and third layers, and the fourth layer is disposed between the third and fifth layers. The laminate structure is configured using a suitable removal process, such as partial chemical etching, to define a mount plate, a hinge, a load beam functional end, and an electrical lead system. The laminate structure may be further formed with a flexure gimbal system that comprises the third, fourth and fifth layers.

Abstract: A servo writer generates a linear servo track timing based servo pattern comprised of transitions that extend laterally of the track. At least three spaced apart write elements, two of parallel azimuthal orientation, and at least one of a different azimuthal orientation, write patterns corresponding to the write elements, fixing both the distance between transitions having different azimuthal orientation, the “A” distance, and the distance between transitions having parallel azimuthal orientation, the “B” distance. The fixed distances provide precise sensing of lateral position based on a measure of time over the “A” distance compared to time over the “B” distance.

Abstract: An integrated gimbal suspension comprises a flexure with an integrated, built-in gimbal, and includes a limiter structure that constrains motions of the gimbal in multi-degrees of freedom. The limiter structure includes one or more tab-shaped limiters and corresponding stops integrally formed into the gimbal assembly at strategic locations, which interact to provide the desired constraints to the motions of the flexure gimbal to prevent permanent damage from overstraining the gimbal or flexure beyond its designed range. The limiters may be pre-formed tab-shaped structures that are bent from the plane of the flexure. As the gimbal moves from its nominal position, one or more limiters engage the stops before such motion reaches the limit of the designed range of motion of the gimbal.

Abstract: A suspension design for improving the curing process for head bonding application and a method for same is disclosed. Vias are formed in the load beam and the flexure so that UV light is allowed to pass to cure the UV sensitive adhesive thereby bonding the slider to the head gimbal assembly.

Abstract: A method for making a suspension system comprising a multiple layer flexure, a load beam and an arm. The load beam extends from the tip of the suspension all the way back to the rear of the arm. Datum holes are located in the load beam such that during assembly all reference points are made from the single load beam piece.

Abstract: A hard disk drive has a rotatable disk and an actuator arm that pivots relative to the disk. The arm has a cantilevered mounting support with a suspension extending therefrom. A head gimbal assembly is secured to the suspension for reading/writing data to the disk. The mounting support is a two-piece design with a pair of virtually identical support elements. The distal end of each support element has an aperture with a tab that protrudes into the aperture. The tabs extend in opposite directions. The support elements mount on top of each other in a matching alignment configuration. The proximal ends of the support elements closely receive a pivot assembly to secure them from relative movement. On the distal ends, the apertures of the support elements substantially align such that their tabs precise engage each other in an interference fit.