Abstract: Vibrations in a magnetic head assembly equipped with a magnetic head, caused by the effects of the flow of air arising from the high-speed rotation of a magnetic disk, can be suppressed by affixing a damping material to the magnetic head assembly. As a result, accurate positioning is possible with high reliability, the frequency of occurrence of errors during data recording and playback can be suppressed, high data transfer rates can be maintained, and high recording densities for a magnetic disk device can be realized.

Abstract: A suspension is provided, which comprises: a flexure with elasticity for supporting a head slider having at least one head element; a first load beam having first ribs for reinforcement at both side ends of the first load beam, for supporting the flexure; and a second load beam having second ribs for reinforcement at both side ends of the second load beam, at least a part of the second load beam being overlapped with the first load beam and being fixed to the first load beam, at least a part of the first and second ribs being overlapped with each other.

Abstract: A loadbeam is locally stiffened by either, 1. the addition of strategically placed extra material to the loadbeam, 2. not removing material during the etching process to form the loadbeam, or 3. special forming, by crimping or bending, at specific sites on the beam. The use of local stiffening, when placed about the loadbeam dimple or between the dimple and flexure attachment points, with or without additional damping, can significantly improve the dynamical response of the loadbeam and eliminate vibrational modes of a slider mounted on the loadbeam during HDI interactions with disk surface asperities during disk drive operation.

Abstract: A suspension for a head slider includes a load beam. A base material of the load beam is covered with first and second elastic films extending on the front and back surfaces of the base material. The second elastic film is continuous with the first elastic film. The suspension is exposed to a high speed airflow. Vibrations induced through torsional deformation and/or flexural deformation are induced in response to the influence of the high speed airflow. Since the front and back surfaces of the load beam are covered with the first and second elastic films, the resonance to the vibrations induced through torsional deformation and/or flexural deformation can be attenuated based on damping performance of the first and second elastic films. The load beam is reliably prevented from suffering from vibrations based on torsional deformation and/or flexural deformation.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing weight while maintaining sufficient stiffness of a suspension assembly in provided. The suspension assembly includes a surface having a proximal end and distal end. A length is defined between the proximal end and the distal end. At least one support member (such as an edge rail) is formed to provide stiffness. The support member is contoured. In a specific embodiment, a portion of at least one cutout is disposed in at least one support member, and extends from the horizontal portion of the load beam member vertically into the at least one support member.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive includes a base (5) to be attached to a carriage, a load beam (3) having a rigid part (9) and a resilient part (11) supported by the base, to apply load on a data read/write head (19) arranged at a front end of the rigid part, a flexure (7) attached to the load beam and being provided with the head, and a guide face (27) formed on an edge (9a) of the rigid part where a jig is inserted, to guide the jig without wearing away the jig. The guide face is formed by providing the edge of the rigid part with an integral thin part that is thinner than the rigid part and bending the thin part, or by partly removing the edge of the rigid part.

Abstract: A suspension includes a load beam section and a gimbal section, which is formed with the load beam section as a single, continuous piece of material, having a top surface and a bottom surface. The gimbal section has a first end formed with to the load beam section and is bent along the first end such that the bottom surface of the material along the gimbal section faces the bottom surface of the material along the load beam section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a suspension member designed to carry a slider and read/write head elements in a magnetic data storage device. The method includes forming the suspension member into a desired length and width configuration with a nominal thickness dimension. One or more pockets are formed in one or both surfaces of the suspension member. The pockets are treated by way of punch-coining or roll-coining to minimize pocket depth tolerances and introduce hardness and strength into surface areas of said pockets.

Abstract: A suspension load beam used for attachment to a slider assembly and an actuation arm in a disc drive for data storage has a rigid middle beam section comprising a rigid bottom layer, a rigid top layer and a composite core layer sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer. A method for fabricating a vibration resistant mechanical member used a disc drive subject to high frequency motion operations is also disclosed. The method involves making an integral laminate structure and fabricating the mechanical member from the integral laminate structure. The integral laminate structure has A rigid bottom layer, a composite core layer on top of the rigid bottom layer, and a rigid top layer on top of the core layer so that the composite core layer is sandwiched between the rigid bottom layer and the rigid top layer.

Abstract: A head suspension provided with a plate welding structure relaxes a laser beam positioning accuracy, improves a mass production ability, suppresses the generation of spattered matter, and prevents the deformation of plates during welding. The head suspension (1) has a base plate (3) to be attached to a carriage and a load beam (5) having a rigid part (9) and a resilient part (11). The load beam is supported by the base plate and applies load on a slider that is arranged at a front end of the load beam. A reinforcing plate (25) is laid over the base plate, and a laser beam is emitted to a weld spot to weld the reinforcing plate and base plate together. The reinforcing plate is provided with thin parts (29) each containing the weld spot. Each thin part is irradiated with a laser beam to weld the base plate and reinforcing plate together.

Abstract: A suspension for supporting a head slider over a media surface. The suspension includes a load beam, a base plate interface region, and a base plate. The load beam has a proximal end, a distal end and longitudinal centerline. A localized stiffening portion is raised above the load beam, and is connected to the load beam by rounded side edges. The base plate interface region is coupled to a proximal end of the load beam, and provides a pre-load bend. Finally, base plate is coupled to the base plate interface region such that the base plate is coupled to a side of the base plate interface region that is opposite the media surface.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has a base (19) to be attached to a carriage, a load beam (21) having a rigid part (27) and a resilient part (29) supported by the base, to apply load on a data read/write head (13) arranged at a front end (27a) of the rigid part, and a flexure (49) attached to the load beam and supporting the head. The rigid part has a multilayer structure consisting of at least three layers including metal layers (28a, 28b) and a resin layer (28c) interposed between the metal layers. The number of layers of the resilient part is smaller than that of the rigid part.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive includes a base (5) to be attached to a carriage, a load beam (3) having a rigid part (9) and a resilient part (11) supported by the base, to apply load on a data read/write head (19) arranged at a front end of the rigid part, a flexure (7) attached to the load beam and being provided with the head, and a guide face (27) formed on an edge (9a) of the rigid part where a jig is inserted, to guide the jig without wearing away the jig. The guide face is formed by providing the edge of the rigid part with an integral thin part that is tinner than the rigid part and bending the thin part, or by partly removing the edge of the rigid part.

Abstract: Longitudinal edges of an actuator arm are provided with stiffening elements in order to raise natural resonant frequencies of the arm so as to prevent resonance from occurring. The stiffening element is shaped and positioned so as to be able to individually “tune” the natural resonant frequency of a given bending mode without significantly affecting the natural frequencies in other bending modes.

Abstract: A proximal end region of a load beam is provided with a proximal-end widthwise beam extending in the width direction and a pair of proximal-end lengthwise beams respectively extending from the opposite ends of the proximal-end widthwise beam towards a distal end of the load beam, while an intermediate region of the load beam is provided with a pair of intermediate lengthwise beams extending from the distal ends of the pair of proximal-end lengthwise beams towards the distal end of the load beam. The proximal-end lengthwise beams have an angle of inclination relative to the longitudinal center axis of the load beam greater than the angle of inclination of the intermediate lengthwise beams relative to the longitudinal center axis of the load beam.

Abstract: A head suspension or head suspension component for use in supporting a read/write head in a storage device, the head suspension or head suspension component including an integrated circuit chip as a structural element of the head suspension or head suspension component. The chip is included as part of a load beam or as a stiffener for a load beam. A flexure or other gimballing device is mounted to the chip or to a portion of the load beam that is mounted to the chip. The chip may be configured for improved heat dissipation or resonant characteristics. The chip is mounted to head suspension components in various ways, including the use of attachment features formed in the chip. A method of making a head suspension or head suspension component that includes mounting a chip as a structural element of the head suspension or head suspension component is also included.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing and potentially correcting for non-translational motion in a resonance measurement apparatus is provided. The design measures the response of an article, such as an HGA assembly including a read/write head, as well as the excitation of a shaking device, such as a head resonance tester, and computes a correction factor using either two or three point measurement. The correction factor may be evaluated by subjecting the arrangement to further vibration at varying frequencies. Measurement of the shaking device may be accomplished using an accelerometer or by optical measurement using a light beam.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly or component for supporting a head slider over a disk in a hard disk drive with the assembly including a plurality of head suspension components joined together by welds at weld pockets. A component includes a component thickness and one or more weld pockets formed at desired weld sites, each weld pocket including an area whose thickness is less than the component thickness with the area being greater in size than an area of a weld to be formed at the weld pocket. A method of welding components together includes providing at least two components to be welded together at a desired weld site, forming a weld pocket at the desired weld site in a component, and welding the components together. The weld pocket includes an area of reduced thickness with the area being greater in size than an area of a weld to be formed.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has a load beam. The load beam consists of a rigid part and a resilient part that are independent of each other. The head suspension is capable of suppressing impedance variations in a flexure and avoiding air disturbance. The head suspension has a plate attached to a carriage, the load beam having the rigid part and the resilient part, and the flexure attached to the load beam and extended toward the plate. The resilient part of the load beam is made of a resilient material that is independent of the rigid part. A first side of the resilient material is laid on an end of the rigid part and joined thereto. A second side of the resilient material is joined to the plate. The first side of the resilient material is provided with a cut to partly expose the end of the rigid part. The flexure is extended through the cut toward the plate.

Abstract: A suspension load beam used for attachment to a slider assembly and an actuation arm in a disc drive for data storage has a rigid middle beam section comprising a rigid bottom layer, a rigid top layer and a composite core layer sandwiched between the bottom layer and the top layer. A method for fabricating a vibration resistant mechanical member used a disc drive subject to high frequency motion operations is also disclosed. The method involves making an integral laminate structure and fabricating the mechanical member from the integral laminate structure. The integral laminate structure has A rigid bottom layer, a composite core layer on top of the rigid bottom layer, and a rigid top layer on top of the core layer so that the composite core layer is sandwiched between the rigid bottom layer and the rigid top layer.

Abstract: A unitary load beam for a disk drive suspension in which the radius of the perimeter transition between the load beam portion and the load beam spring portion is increased to ensure the stress encountered when the load beam is bent from its normal range, for installation into a disk drive, for example, from a previously typical 0.002 inch to 0.010 inch, is distributed sufficiently that the load beam spring portion is subject to only elastic, not plastic deformation. Thus, the gram loads exerted by the load beam spring portion are reliably consistent.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has support plate means (3, 7) serving as a carriage arm and a load beam (5). The load beam consists of a rigid part (13) and a resilient part (15), to apply load to a slider (43) of a head. The support plate means (3, 7) consists of at least layered two plates (3, 7). At least one (7) of the plates (3, 7) has a thickness (t2) appropriate for forming precision holes therethrough by etching. A pivot hole (31) is formed through the plate (7). A loose hole (9) larger than and substantially concentric with the pivot hole is formed through the plate (3). The plates (3, 7) have improved flatness, and the pivot hole has improved accuracy.

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 head suspension assembly for a rigid disk drive. The head suspension has a load beam with a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a tether connecting the mounting region and the rigid region. A hinge structure is located between the rigid region and the mounting region. The hinge structure comprises an interface with first pivot surfaces on the mounting region positively engaged with second pivot surfaces on the rigid region by the tether. A torsional spring is located between the rigid region and the mounting region.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the common mode impedance while enabling maintenance of the differential mode impedance of a pair of traces located with respect to a ground plane formed by a load beam or trace assembly of a disk drive head suspension. The method includes forming a ground plane having apertures with isolated conductive islands in the apertures for setting a desired common mode impedance. The method includes a cut and try approach using sample coupons to adjust the ratio of backed area to island area to adjust the common mode impedance while maintaining the differential mode impedance by maintaining the ratio of unbacked area to the sum of the backed and island areas.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes an actuator arm, a suspension having one end connected to the actuator arm, and flexure at the other end of the suspension for supporting a slider having a magnetic head to access and record data on a rotating magnetic disk. The suspension is manufactured from a flat sheet of resilient spring material, such a stainless steel. The side edges of the suspension are formed into longitudinal stiffeners that have aerodynamic cross-sections, so that the transverse airflow across the top and bottom of the suspension, generated by the rotating magnetic disk, is laminar and substantially free of turbulence.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a rigid disk drive. The load beam has a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end and a spring region connecting the mounting region and the rigid region. A pair of rails extend along a portion of the rigid region. The rigid region has a railed region and a non-railed region adjacent to the spring region. A stiffener is attached to the load beam in a multi-layered structure. The stiffener has a proximal portion extending along at least a portion of the non-railed region without extending into the spring region, and a distal portion extending along 50% or less of a length of the railed region closest to the spring region.

Abstract: In a suspension comprising a base portion, beam portion, and a hinge member connecting the base portion and the beam portion to each other, a hole for lowering the stiffness of a region of the beam portion near the hinge member is formed in that region. A cover portion closes the opening of the hole.

Abstract: A monocoque head suspension carries a read-write head on a distal end and is attachable at a proximal end to an actuator assembly. The monocoque head suspension includes a bottom skin and a top skin, and also a core positioned between the bottom and top skins. The core has voids therein that form hollow regions between the bottom and top skins. The core may be made of low-density material, such as photo-imageable epoxy, polyamide or polyimide, deposited on the bottom skin, or may be a separately formed piece. The bottom skin and top skin may be made of a stainless steel material. The monocoque head suspension may be a component of an assembly to store data to a magnetic medium and read data from the medium.

Abstract: A suspension for disc drive comprises a base portion, a beam portion formed of the same material as the base portion and made thinner than the base portion by partial etching, and a hinge member connecting the base portion and the beam portion to each other. In manufacturing this suspension, a platelike semi-finished suspension, which integrally includes a base portion, a beam portion, and a connecting portion connecting the base portion and the beam portion to each other, is first manufactured. The thickness of the beam portion of the semi-finished suspension is reduced by partial etching. Thereafter, the base portion and the beam portion are connected by means of the hinge member, and moreover, the connecting portion is separated from the base portion and the beam portion.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of adjusting the common mode impedance while enabling maintenance of the differential mode impedance of a pair of traces located with respect to a ground plane formed by a load beam or trace assembly of a disk drive head suspension. The ground plane has apertures with isolated conductive islands in the apertures for setting a desired common mode impedance. The method includes a cut and try approach using sample coupons to adjust the ratio of backed area to island area to adjust the common mode impedance while maintaining the differential mode impedance by maintaining the ratio of unbacked area to the sum of the backed and island areas.

Abstract: A suspension assembly (24) for a storage device (10) that includes a load beam (52) and a damper assembly (54). The load beam (52) couples a data transducer (22) to an actuator arm (40). The damper assembly (54) is secured to the load beam (52). The damper assembly (54) includes a damper beam section (72) and a damper mass section (74). The damper beam section (72) cantilevers from the load beam (52). The damper mass section (74) is secured the damper beam section (72). The damper assembly (54) also includes a resilient layer (88) and a cover layer (90). The resilient layer (88) extends between the damper mass section (74) and the load beam (52). The cover layer (90) covers the resilient layer (88). During rotation of a storage disk (30), the load beam (52) has a load beam resonance frequency. The damper assembly (54) has a damper resonance frequency that is tuned to be similar to the load beam resonance frequency to decrease off-track movements of the data transducer (22) relative to the storage disk (30).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing improved roll static angle adjustment for head gimbal assemblies (HGA's) used in disc drives. In the method, proximal and distal clamping members are attached to a load beam of the HGA and are separated by a distance of 4-30% of the length of the load beam. One of the distal and proximal clamping members is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the load beam such that the relative angular position of the distal and proximal clamping members reaches an adjust angle. Also disclosed is a rigid beam section of an HGA that includes apertures which are positioned along maximum stress contours where early plastic deformation of the rigid beam section is desired during adjustment of the roll static angle.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for a disk drive includes an actuator arm, a suspension having one end connected to the actuator arm, and flexure at the other end of the suspension for supporting a slider having a magnetic head to access and record data on a rotating magnetic disk. The suspension is manufactured from a flat sheet of resilient spring material, such a stainless steel. The side edges of the suspension are formed into longitudinal stiffeners that have aerodynamic cross-sections, so that the transverse airflow across the top and bottom of the suspension, generated by the rotating magnetic disk, is laminar and substantially free of turbulence.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has a load beam. The load beam consists of a rigid part and a resilient part that are independent of each other. The head suspension is capable of suppressing impedance variations in a flexure and avoiding air disturbance.

Abstract: A pair of side rails with an L-shaped cross section are formed individually on the opposite side edge portions of a load beam. Each side rail includes a low rail portion and a high rail portion higher than the low rail portion. The low and high rail portions are situated in a region nearer to the distal end portion of the load beam with respect to its longitudinal direction than the center of gravity of the load beam.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension in which resonance characteristics are adjustable and a method for such adjustment. The disk drive suspension includes a load beam, a head mounting region and one or more mass balancing structures. The mass balancing structures are adapted for permanent displacement or removal to adjust mass distribution of the load beam. In this way, resonance characteristics of the load beam can be adjusted. A method of adjustment includes determination of an adjust location on the load beam at which a resonance characteristic to be adjusted is sensitive to changes in mass. The mass distribution of the load beam are adjusted at this adjust location.

Abstract: A suspension for connecting a slider to an actuator arm of a disc drive includes a cushion extending vertically from the suspension. The cushion limits vertical excursions and dampens motion of the suspension during a shock event to better maintain the slider in contact with a disc surface in the disc drive. The cushion can be formed as an external feature attached to the suspension, such as a foam or plastic cushion, or as an integral feature of the suspension. A disc drive assembly having a plurality of discs includes a first suspension and a first cushion extending vertically downward toward a second suspension. The second suspension may include a second cushion extending vertically upward toward the first suspension.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly includes a magnetic head slider with at least one thin-film magnetic head element, a head IC chip with a circuit for the at least one thin-film magnetic head element, and a support member for supporting the magnetic head slider and the head IC chip. The support member has a recess portion for reducing a protruded height of the head IC chip at a position for mounting the head IC chip.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive includes a base (5) to be attached to a carriage, a load beam (3) having a rigid part (9) and a resilient part (11) supported by the base, to apply load on a data read/write head (19) arranged at a front end of the rigid part, a flexure (7) attached to the load beam and being provided with the head, and a guide face (27) formed on an edge (9a) of the rigid part where a jig is inserted, to guide the jig without wearing away the jig. The guide face is formed by providing the edge of the rigid part with an integral thin part that is tinner than the rigid part and bending the thin part, or by partly removing the edge of the rigid part.

Abstract: A head suspension for a rigid disk drive comprising one or more tapered processing holes in the load beam. The tapered processing holes can be located in the rigid region, the flexure or the mounting region. The tapered processing holes have a first diameter at a first surface of the load beam and a second diameter at a second surface of the load beam, wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter. A method of processing a head suspension for a rigid disk drive is also disclosed. A processing tool is operatively engaging with the tapered processing hole to perform one of mechanically or optically locating, measuring. mounting, and/or aligning a suspension arm or components thereof.

Abstract: A suspension assembly (24) for a storage device (10) that includes a load beam (52) and a damper assembly (54). The load beam (52) couples a data transducer (22) to an actuator arm (40). The damper assembly (54) is secured to the load beam (52). The damper assembly (54) includes a damper beam section (72) and a damper mass section (74). The damper beam section (72) cantilevers from the load beam (52). The damper mass section (74) is secured the damper beam section (72). The damper assembly (54) also includes a resilient layer (88) and a cover layer (90). The resilient layer (88) extends between the damper mass section (74) and the load beam (52). The cover layer (90) covers the resilient layer (88). During rotation of a storage disk (30), the load beam (52) has a load beam resonance frequency. The damper assembly (54) has a damper resonance frequency that is tuned to be similar to the load beam resonance frequency to decrease off-track movements of the data transducer (22) relative to the storage disk (30).

Abstract: A method of designing an actuator arm of a head stack assembly for use in a disk drive is disclosed. The disk drive comprises a disk, the actuator arm for positioning a head over the disk while the disk is rotating at a selected spin-rate. The actuator arm having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a selected thickness, and the head stack assembly having a structural resonance frequency. The disk is rotated such that the disk generates air flow around the actuator arm while the disk is spinning at the selected spin-rate. The actuator arm positions the head over the disk while the disk is spinning at the selected spin-rate, wherein the air flow travels from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the actuator arm such that the air flow causes vortex shedding at a vortex shedding frequency resulting in an undesirable force being applied to the actuator arm when the vortex shedding frequency is aligned with the structural resonance frequency.

Abstract: A suspension has an extending end and an other end. A head IC chip mounting portion is provided between the extending end and the other end of the suspension. A head slider is loaded on a first surface of the suspension at a position on the side of the extending end with respect to the head IC chip mounting portion, the head slider integrally including a head. A head IC chip is mounted at the head IC chip mounting portion of the suspension. First wiring patterns extend along the suspension between a portion of the suspension, at which portion the head slider is loaded, and the head IC chip mounting portion. Second wiring patterns extend along the suspension between the head IC chip mounting portion and the other end of the suspension. The head IC chip is mounted at the head IC chip mounting portion in a condition in which a certain portion of the head IC chip is positioned on the side of a second surface of the suspension, which second surface is opposite to the first surface.

Abstract: A suspension system comprises a first rigid beam section having a first portion for connection to an actuator arm. The first rigid beam section having at least one stamped ridge which extends past the edge of an actuator arm and along the length of the first rigid section. A flexible spring section is connected to the first rigid section and a second rigid section is connected to the spring section, the second rigid section having a transducer assembly receiving portion for receiving a transducer assembly.

Abstract: A wireless-type disk drive suspension comprising a laminate of a spring metal, an insulative plastic film and trace conductors that exerts insufficient vertical force for the slider to operate effectively on the disk is provided with a secondary spring structure generally opposite the slider and that can incorporate a dimple to increase the suspension stiffness and the vertical force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disc drive that includes a base and a disc rotatably attached to the base. The disc drive further includes an actuator assembly that is attached to the base such that the actuator assembly is in an actuating relationship with respect to the base and the rotating disc. A servo drive controls the movement of the actuator arm assembly during track follow-and-seek operations of the disc drive. The actuator assembly includes a shell and a support structure that is attached to the shell. Adding the support structure to the shell increases the stiffness-to-mass ratio of the actuator assembly in comparison to the shell alone. The increased stiffness-to-mass ratio elevates the resonance frequency of the actuator assembly such that the resonance frequency of the actuator assembly falls outside the range of operating frequencies of the servo drive without significantly increasing the mass of the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has support plate means (3, 7) serving as a carriage arm and a load beam (5). The load beam consists of a rigid part (13) and a resilient part (15), to apply load to a slider (43) of a head. The support plate means (3, 7) consists of at least layered two plates (3, 7). At least one (7) of the plates (3, 7) has a thickness (t2) appropriate for forming precision holes therethrough by etching. A pivot hole (31) is formed through the plate (7). A loose hole (9) larger than and substantially concentric with the pivot hole is formed through the plate (3). The plates (3, 7) have improved flatness, and the pivot hole has improved accuracy.

Abstract: In a suspension comprising a base portion, beam portion, and a hinge member connecting the base portion and the beam portion to each other, a hole for lowering the stiffness of a region of the beam portion near the hinge member is formed in that region. A cover portion closes the opening of the hole.

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly is fabricated with an integral piece which includes a load beam section, a flexure section, a rear mount section and a leaf spring section between the load beam and rear mount. A tongue extends from the load beam to the flexure and has a down-facing load dimple which contacts the non-air bearing surface of an attached air bearing slider. The flexure includes narrow thin legs adjacent to a cutout that delineates the load beam tongue. The head suspension is characterized by a high first bending mode frequency and low pitch and roll stiffness.