Abstract: A polishing system and associated methods are described for polishing a magnetic disk used in a disk drive system. The polishing system includes a polishing film that is used to polish the magnetic disk. The polishing system also includes an actuator operable to move the polishing film across a surface of the magnetic disk to polish the magnetic disk. The polishing system also includes a pad having at least one protrusion extending from a surface of the pad. The protrusion is configured to contact the polishing film and press the polishing film against the magnetic disk. The protrusion is operable to compress to about the surface of the pad when in contact with the polishing film. Once polishing is complete, the pad retracts from the polishing film and the protrusion extends from the pad, reducing the adhesion force between the pad and the polishing film.

Abstract: A polishing system and associated methods are described for polishing a magnetic disk used in a disk drive system. The polishing system includes a polishing film that is used to polish the magnetic disk. The polishing system also includes an actuator operable to move the polishing film across a surface of the magnetic disk to polish the magnetic disk. The polishing system also includes a pad having at least one protrusion extending from a surface of the pad. The protrusion is configured to contact the polishing film and press the polishing film against the magnetic disk. The protrusion is operable to compress to about the surface of the pad when in contact with the polishing film. Once polishing is complete, the pad retracts from the polishing film and the protrusion extends from the pad, reducing the adhesion force between the pad and the polishing film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for reducing pad burnish damages on magnetic recording media. The method of the present invention reduces burnish damage and increases glide yield without compromising disk flyability, durability and general quality.

Abstract: A method for handling workpieces such as hard disk drive sliders during a debonding process uses a fixture having two sets of finger-like projections that are interleaved. The sets are movable relative to each other to space apart the sliders after they are processed from their original row configuration. The post-processing separation is required to properly debond the sliders. The fingers on each set are closely interleaved to reduce the amount of displacement required to adequately separate the sliders for debonding. After the sliders are displaced, they are directly debonded into the inspection trays. This design eliminates the need for manual handling of the workpieces during these phases of manufacturing.

Abstract: Methods of improving the adhesive characteristics of an adhesive resin composition and the use of the adhesive for bonding substrate materials, such as ceramic materials and manufacturing tools, are described. The adhesive composition includes a resist adhesive resin and a solvent having a boiling point in the range of about 30° C. to about 80° C. The methods and the adhesive composition find utility in hard disk drive applications, such as in the manufacture of sliders for hard disk drives.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for handling workpieces such as hard disk drive sliders during a debonding process uses a fixture having two sets of finger-like projections that are interleaved. The sets are movable relative to each other to space apart the sliders after they are processed from their original row configuration. The post-processing separation is required to properly debond the sliders. The fingers on each set are closely interleaved to reduce the amount of displacement required to adequately separate the sliders for debonding. After the sliders are displaced, they are directly debonded into the inspection trays. This design eliminates the need for manual handling of the workpieces during these phases of manufacturing.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.

Abstract: A magnetic head includes first and second pole tips separated by a nonmagnetic gap layer. The right side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. Similarly, the left side walls of the first and second pole tips are vertically aligned. The side fringing flux is substantially reduced resulting in a magnetic head capable of writing data tracks with well defined boundaries. The fabrication of the magnetic head begins with forming a stack of layers on a substrate. The stack of layers includes a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the first pole tip layer and a sacrificial layer which is preferably made of a metal. A protective layer, such as alumina, is then deposited over and around the stack of layers. After planarization and ion milling, the sacrificial layer is exposed. The sacrificial layer is then etched away leaving a volume of space in the protective layer and above the gap layer. An inductive coil with associated dielectric layers are then deposited above the first pole layer.