Abstract: The invention is a method to salvage suspensions from defective head gimbal assembly units. At present the hard disk industry is undergoing rapid product cycles. The products are being upgraded faster and faster, and the ability for sliders to meet higher density requirement becomes more urgent. Therefore, the performance of a slider becomes more sensitive to signals. As the wafer manufacturing process produces a lower yield, a suspension salvage method is developed to recycle a damaged head gimbal assembly in order to minimize material loss.

Abstract: A method to salvage suspensions from defective head gimbal assembly units is presented. Because the performance of a slider becomes more sensitive to signals and the wafer manufacturing process produces a lower yield, a suspension salvage method is developed to recycle a damaged head gimbal assembly in order to minimize material loss. In one embodiment, the salvage method includes separating a gold ball from a bonding pad of the suspension, twisting off the slider attached to the suspension, and dissolving the remaining epoxy.

Abstract: This invention is a method to salvage suspensions from defective head gimbal assembly units. At present the hard disk industry is undergoing rapid product cycles. The products are being upgraded faster and faster, and the ability for sliders to meet higher density requirement becomes more urgent. Therefore, the performance of a slider becomes more sensitive to signals. As the wafer manufacturing process produces a lower yield, a suspension salvage method is developed to recycle damaged head gimbal assembly in order to minimize material loss.