Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes a load beam and a laminated flexure that comprises a stainless steel layer, a copper trace layer, and a dielectric layer between the stainless steel layer and the copper trace layer. The laminated flexure includes a flexure tail that extends away from the load beam to a flexure tail terminal region. The copper trace layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads in the flexure tail terminal region. The stainless steel layer includes a plurality of backing islands in the flexure tail terminal region. Each of the plurality of backing islands is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of flexure bond pads. A noble metal layer is disposed on the plurality of backing islands.

Abstract: A flexure tail of a head suspension assembly includes a structural layer, a conductive layer, a dielectric layer between the structural and conductive layers, and an insulative cover layer disposed on the conductive layer. The conductive layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads in a terminal region of the flexure tail. The insulative cover layer includes a plurality of openings that expose each of the plurality of flexure bond pads. The dielectric layer defines a first thickness between the structural layer and the conductive layer at each of the plurality of flexure bond pads. The dielectric layer also defines a second thickness between the structural layer and the conductive layer adjacent to the plurality of flexure bond pads in the terminal region of the flexure tail. The second thickness is less than the first thickness by a thickness difference that is no less than a cover layer thickness.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly for a disk drive includes a flexure tail terminal region having flexure bond pads in electrical communication with the head. Each of the flexure bond pads is aligned with one of a plurality of flexible printed circuit (FPC) bond pads. An anisotropic conductive film is disposed between the FPC and the flexure tail terminal region. The flexure tail terminal region overlaps the anisotropic conductive film in a bonding area. Each of the flexure bond pads is bonded to one of the plurality of FPC bond pads by the anisotropic conductive film in a bonding area. A conductive layer of the flexure tail terminal region includes an exposed conductive ground pad that is disposed outside of the bonding area, and/or disposed outside of an application area of a thermode tool that is pressed against the flexure tail terminal region during the bonding process.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes a load beam and a laminated flexure that comprises a stainless steel layer, a copper trace layer, and a dielectric layer between the stainless steel layer and the copper trace layer. The laminated flexure includes a flexure tail that extends away from the load beam to a flexure tail terminal region. The copper trace layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads in the flexure tail terminal region. The stainless steel layer includes a plurality of backing islands in the flexure tail terminal region. Each of the plurality of backing islands is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of flexure bond pads. A noble metal layer is disposed on the plurality of backing islands.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes a load beam and a laminated flexure that comprises a stainless steel layer, a copper trace layer, and a dielectric layer between the stainless steel layer and the copper trace layer. The laminated flexure includes a flexure tail that extends away from the load beam to a flexure tail terminal region. The copper trace layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads in the flexure tail terminal region. The stainless steel layer includes a plurality of backing islands in the flexure tail terminal region. Each of the plurality of backing islands is aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of flexure bond pads. A noble metal layer is disposed on the plurality of backing islands.

Abstract: A head gimbal assembly for a disk drive includes a flexure tail terminal region having flexure bond pads in electrical communication with the head. Each of the flexure bond pads is aligned with one of a plurality of flexible printed circuit (FPC) bond pads. An anisotropic conductive film is disposed between the FPC and the flexure tail terminal region. The flexure tail terminal region overlaps the anisotropic conductive film in a bonding area. Each of the flexure bond pads is bonded to one of the plurality of FPC bond pads by the anisotropic conductive film in a bonding area. A conductive layer of the flexure tail terminal region includes an exposed conductive ground pad that is disposed outside of the bonding area, and/or disposed outside of an application area of a thermode tool that is pressed against the flexure tail terminal region during the bonding process.

Abstract: A disk drive head gimbal assembly (HGA) includes a distal region that includes a load beam dimple having a protruding convex surface. The HGA includes a laminated flexure having a structural layer with a tongue disposed between two outrigger beams. A piezoelectric element is adhered to the tongue. The tongue includes an actuated portion to which a read head may be adhered, and that is rotated about an axis of rotation by expansion of the piezoelectric element. The tongue also includes a non-actuated portion that is not rotated by expansion of the piezoelectric element. The non-actuated portion of the tongue adjoins and forms a bridge between the two outrigger beams. The bridge includes a flexure dimple that protrudes from the tongue and has a concave surface that is in contact with the convex surface of the load beam dimple.

Abstract: A head stack assembly (HSA) is disclosed for use in a disk drive comprising a disk, wherein a merge tool is used to merge the HSA with the disk. The HSA comprises at least one actuator arm with a suspension connected to the distal end of the actuator arm. A multi-level shipping comb attached to the actuator arm comprises a finger having a first surface and a second, raised surface. During shipping of the HSA, the first surface of the finger contacts the suspension to protect against overstressing. During manufacture of the disk drive, the shipping comb is actuated so that the second surface contacts the suspension thereby bending the suspension in a vertical direction to facilitate the insertion of the merge tool.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed employing a primary actuator for rotating an actuator arm about a pivot in coarse movements, and first and second secondary actuators coupled to the actuator arm for actuating first and second heads in fine movements. A servo control system generates a first control signal applied to the first secondary actuator to position the first head over the first disk surface in fine movements while accessing the first disk surface. The servo control system phase shifts the first control signal by a predetermined phase to generate a second control signal applied to the second secondary actuator to attenuate excitation of at least one arm vibration mode.