Abstract: A brake crawler assembly configured for vertically moving an arm assembly along a pivot member in a multi-disk hard disk drive is provided. The brake crawler assembly includes a first clamp, including a first recess within which is disposed a first actuator and a first clamp calibration element. The first clamp calibration element includes a first clamp calibration access portion adapted to be accessible externally of the first clamp and adapted to receive a first external adjustment and a first clamp internal compression modifier adapted to modify a force exerted by the first actuator on the first recess, responsive to the received first external adjustment, wherein the first clamp is configured to selectively engage the pivot member at a position along the pivot member relative to at least one disk of the multi-disk hard disk drive based on the modified force exerted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a head stack assembly, which comprises a pivot bearing assembly having a main body which comprising a first end surface and a second end surface, and a flange extended from the main body and located between the first and second end surfaces, the flange having a first interface adjacent the first end surface of the main body and a second interface opposite to the first interface; a drive arm mounted on the main body and secured on the first interface of the flange; and a fantail spacer mounted on the main body and secured on the second interface of the flange.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a magnetic head supporting suspension includes forming a load beam blank having a load beam with a dimple formed therein, and a frame portion with a positioning part formed therein; and forming a flexure blank having a flexure and a frame portion. A fitting portion in the flexure blank is fittable to the positioning part. An anti-rotation portion is formed on the load beam blank or a member attached to the load beam blank. A receiving portion in the flexure blank is fittable to the anti-rotation portion. The load beam blank and flexure blank are superposed with the positioning part fitted to the fitting portion. The anti-rotation portion is fitted to the receiving portion, and the flexure is fixed to the load beam. The load beam and flexure are thereafter separated from the frame portions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a head stack assembly cartridge is provided. The head stack assembly cartridge includes a base plate having a pivot shaft for pivotally mounting a head stack assembly and a base voice coil motor magnet attached to an inner surface of the base plate. The base voice coil motor magnet is arranged on the inner surface of the base plate to be adjacent to a coil of the head stack assembly pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft. The head stack assembly cartridge further includes a cover removably attached to the base plate and a pivot clamp removably attached to the cover and configured to secure the head stack assembly pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft.

Abstract: Swaging a suspension base plate to an actuator arm for a hard disk drive. A portion of material adjacent to a hole in the actuator arm is removed to create an opening to receive material. A flange of the suspension base plate is inserted into the hole in the actuator arm. The suspension base plate is swaged to the actuator arm, wherein the swaging causes material from the suspension base plate to flow into the opening.

Abstract: Interconnections for attaching a suspension assembly to an arm of an actuator or positioning device are disclosed. In illustrated embodiments, the interconnection includes one or more weld connections formed along opposed side seams of overlapping portions of the arm and head suspension assembly. In illustrated embodiments, the weld connections are formed along side surfaces generally transverse to upper and lower surfaces of the arm. In another embodiment, a groove pattern is formed, for example via a laser etching process, in an overlapping portion of the head suspension assembly or arm and an epoxy is inlayed in the groove to connect the head suspension assembly and arm. Illustrated embodiments also include multiple connections including, for example, a swage connection and a weld or other connection.

Abstract: An apparatus for detachably mounting a head gimbal assembly to an actuator coil assembly is described. The apparatus includes a lever pivotally connected to an upper surface of an arm of the actuator coil assembly and operable to pivot between a release position and a mount position. A capture pin extends from the lever into a mounting hole of the arm. The capture pin is substantially perpendicular to the lever and is collectively pivotable with the lever between the release position and the mount position. A spring is arranged to exert a force on the lever in a direction from the release position to the mount position. The capture pin is configured to engage the head gimbal assembly positioned on a lower mounting surface of the arm opposite the upper surface of the arm via the mounting hole and to press the head gimbal assembly into the arm when in the mount position.

Abstract: A rotary actuator arm assembly for positioning a transducer over a data track of at least one rotating magnetic disk. The actuator includes self contained spacers with semi-kinematic mounting features to accurately locate and secure a set of self-aligning components, thereby eliminating azimuth alignment problems created by conventional assembly procedures.

Abstract: A head stack assembly of a disk drive unit includes a head arm assembly (HAA) having a head gimbal assembly, a drive arm to be connected with the head gimbal assembly; wherein the drive arm comprises a securing portion, a connection portion and a spacer connecting the securing portion with the connection portion. At least one undercut is formed on the spacer of the drive arm to strengthen the drive arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching one or more HGAs to an actuator assembly including one or more actuator arms comprises a set of pivoting supports corresponding to the one or more HGAs and mechanisms that pivot each of the pivoting supports between open positions and closed positions. For each of the set of pivoting supports, in the open position, a gap adjacent to the pivoting support is sufficiently large to receive both a mounting platform of one of the actuator arms and a baseplate of one of the HGAs positioned in alignment with the mounting platform of the one of the actuator arms, and, for each of the set of pivoting supports, in the closed position, the gap is sufficiently small to constrain the baseplate of the one of the HGAs against the mounting platform of the one of the actuator arms.

Abstract: A disk drive suspension assembly includes a load beam, a first hinge arm, a second hinge arm, a base plate, and a flexure that includes a head mounting surface. The base plate has a first base plate layer that includes a first base plate side and an opposing second base plate side. The first base plate side has a main base plate surface and a recessed base plate surface parallel to and offset from the main base plate surface. A first hinge arm is attached to the main base plate surface. A second hinge arm is attached to the recessed base plate surface. The first and second hinge arms are attached to the load beam. The base plate has a first thickness at the main base plate surface and a second thickness at the recessed base plate surface that is the same as the first thickness.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing disk drive head suspension components includes supporting the components from carrier strips and/or other components by tab regions consisting substantially of a polyimide insulating layer. The components are detabbed by severing the insulating layer at the tab regions.

Abstract: An actuator assembly is provided that includes a body portion, a first actuator arm assembly, a second actuator arm assembly, a first flexure assembly, and a second flexure assembly. Each of the first and second actuator arm assemblies projects from the body portion and has a distal end with different respective first and second mechanical configurations, sometimes referred to herein as “mounting configurations.” Each of the flexure assemblies is respectively mounted to the distal ends of the first and second actuator arm assemblies via the respective mounting configuration. The first and second mechanical configurations (mounting configurations) are selected to provide the first and second flexure assemblies with different mechanical resonance characteristics. In a preferred embodiment, the second actuator arm assembly includes an actuator arm and a spacer disposed between the actuator arm and the second flexure assembly. The spacer has a stiffness different from the stiffness of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a head suspension includes forming a rigid part chain product where the rigid parts are provided continuously, including forming a plate-like framework for formation of the rigid part including formation margins for formation of the rails and forming a deformable part along a longitudinal curve of each formation margin and forming the rails by bending the formation margins to rise, forming a resilient member chain product where the resilient members are provided continuously, forming the flexures, forming the bases, and a stacking and coupling step stacking and coupling the rigid part chain product, the resilient member chain product, the bases, and the flexures, to form a stacked set, and cutting and separating respective head suspensions from the stacked set.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a head suspension for a hard disk drive includes a rigid part chain product manufacturing step forming a rigid part chain product where rigid parts are provided continuously, a flexure manufacturing step forming the flexure integrated with the resilient part and the reinforcing parts, a base manufacturing step forming the base, a stacking and coupling step stacking and connecting the rigid part chain product, the resilient part chain product, the bases, and the flexures, to form the stacked set, and a cutting step cutting and separating respective head suspensions from a stacked set.

Abstract: A lubricant is applied to swage contact surfaces in a disk drive of the type including a suspension arm connected to an actuator arm by a swaging process. A preferred thin film lubricant may be applied to the contact surfaces by immersion and draining, immersion and raising the part out of the solution, localized spraying, or various deposition processes. Application of the lubricant reduces chipping during de-swaging, particularly with nickel plated metal components. Application of the lubricant has also shown to improve gram load uniformity, reduce adverse distortion to the actuator assembly and reduces torque out retention values. Improved gram load uniformity enhances overall disk drive functioning, reduced distortion preserves intended attitude and flatness of the actions for assembly and reduced torque out retention values improves reworkability of the disk drive.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base. The disk drive further includes a cover. The disk drive further includes a rotary actuator rotably coupled to the disk drive base and the cover. The rotary actuator is disposed between the disk drive base and the cover. The disk drive further includes a post attached to the disk drive base. The post is positioned to limit a pivot arc of the rotary actuator in at least one direction of rotation. The post includes a post distal end extending away from the disk drive base and attached to the cover.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a head gimbal assembly and a head stack assembly suitable for a miniature magnetic disk drive, and capable of being assembled in an accurate alignment during its fabrication. In one embodiment, a fixing member is disposed in contact with a pivot, an assembly formed by combining a head gimbal assembly and a carriage assembly is put on the pivot and pressed in the direction of the arrow toward the fixing member, and is fastened to the pivot with a nut. Since the head gimbal assembly is provided with a hole to receive the pivot therein provided with two straight edges, the relative positions of the turning axis of the pivot, the head gimbal assembly and the carriage assembly are adjusted properly so that clearances between the parts are absorbed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a carriage assembly is capable of suppressing deformation of spacer portions when suspensions are attached to carriage arms. The method of assembling a carriage assembly aligns fitting holes provided in front end portions of carriage arms and spacer holes provided in spacer portions of suspensions and places the suspensions onto the carriage arms, and then presses a ball with a diameter equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the spacer holes with a pressure-applying member to pass the ball through the spacer holes, thereby crimping spacer hole edge portions of the spacer portions and attaching the suspensions to the front end portions of the carriage arms. By applying ultrasonic vibration from two axial directions to the pressure-applying member, the pressure-applying member is caused to vibrate on a two-dimensional movement path on a predetermined plane and passes the ball through the spacer holes while causing the ball to rotate.

Abstract: There is provided a servo information recording device having a simple structure, being implementable in lower cost, and capable of writing servo information with high reliability and a servo information recording method. The servo information recording device includes a head swingably supported relative to a predetermined swing axis and a head drive section that swings the head within a predetermined zone in the radial direction of the disk medium. The device also has a controller that controls the head drive section and writes the servo information onto a track of the disk medium. Assuming that R is the outer circumferential radius of the disk medium and P is a distance between the center of the disk medium and pivot (swing axis), the swing axis is disposed at a position at which P/R falls beyond about 1.35.

Abstract: When crimping suspensions to carriage arms using a metal ball by applying ultrasonic vibration to a crimping tool, the suspensions can be crimped to the carriage arms without causing deformation to the suspensions and the like. A method of assembling a carriage assembly aligns attachment holes provided in front ends of carriage arms and crimping portions provided on suspensions to set the suspensions on the carriage arms and then presses a ball through crimping holes provided in the crimping portions while applying ultrasonic vibration to the crimping tool to crimp the suspensions to the carriage arms. When doing so, a ball, such as a ball whose surface has been subjected to a dimpling process, for which a load that acts on the ball when the ball passes through the crimping holes is low compared to a spherical ball is used to crimp the suspensions to the carriage arms.

Abstract: A method of assembling a carriage assembly is disclosed. The method is are capable of suppressing fluctuation in the crimped (deformed) states of spacer portions when suspensions are attached to carriage arms. The method aligns fitting holes 10a provided in carriage arms 10 with spacer holes 12b of suspensions 12. Then the method passes a ball 20 with a diameter equal to or greater than an inner diameter of the spacer holes 12b through the spacer holes 12b to crimp edge portions of the spacer holes 12b in spacer portions 12a and thereby attach the suspensions 12 to the carriage arms 10. While the ball 20 is being pressed and sandwiched from both sides of the spacer holes 12b by two pressure-applying members 40a, 40b an ultrasonic vibration is applied to the two pressure-applying members 40a, 40b, the two pressure applying members 40a, 40b are moved so as to pass the ball 20 through the spacer holes 12b.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to techniques to remove a defective head gimbal assembly (HGA) from a head stack assembly and replace the defective HGA with a good one without allowing any good HGAs to be damaged. In one embodiment, a volatile alcohol solvent is moved by gravity from a holder included in a reworking tool provided for a reworking jig to a shearing edge of a cartridge type edge mounted in the holder. The alcohol solvent is thereby deposited on the shearing edge in a drop-like shape through surface tension. The cartridge type edge is made to slide on a surface of an actuator arm and is inserted in a gap between contacting surfaces of a mount plate and the actuator arm. This assigns the drop-like alcohol solvent a function as a lubricant. Possible vibration can therefore be prevented from being transmitted through a carriage to other HGAs.

Abstract: A slim actuator and a micro-drive apparatus using the same are provided. The slim actuator includes a suspension having a head mounted at one end of the suspension to write/read data to/from a disk and a head gimbal assembly. The head gimbal assembly includes a unit-mounting portion having one end connected to the suspension, a fantail molding portion extending from the other end of the uni-mounting portion, and a voice coil which is mounted on the fantail mounting portion such that current flows in the voice coil. The voice coil rotates the suspension by an electromagnetic force created by interaction between the electric field of the current and an applied magnetic field. Thus, the slim actuator uses a single channel and has excellent resonance characteristics. Mobile micro-drive apparatuses employing the slim actuators can be obtained.

Abstract: A disk drive head stack assembly (66) of a configuration that facilitates the assembly thereof is disclosed. One or more head/arm assemblies (74) are mounted on a pivot bearing (118). This pivot bearing (118) includes a tapered section (126). Each head/arm assembly (74) may be mounted on the pivot bearing (118). Thereafter, a retainer ring (102) may be advanced relative to the pivot bearing (118). Advancement of the retainer ring (102) along the tapered section (126) expands the retainer ring (102) so that the same may be disposed within a retainer ring slot (130) of the pivot bearing (118). Each head/arm assembly (74) is maintained between this retainer ring (102) and a flange (134) of the pivot bearing (118).

Abstract: A head stack assembly for a disk drive includes an actuator body. The actuator body includes a pair of sides, a bore defining a longitudinal axis, a first slot extending between the pair of sides, a second slot extending along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the second slot extending from the first slot to the bore. The head stack assembly further includes a coil portion cantilevered from the actuator body in one direction and an actuator arm cantilevered from the actuator body in a direction opposite from the coil portion.

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 head stack assembly of a disk drive unit including a head arm assembly (HAA) having a head gimbal assembly, a drive arm to be connected with the head gimbal assembly; wherein the drive arm comprises a securing portion, a connection portion and a spacer connecting the securing portion with the connection portion. In the present invention, at least one undercut is formed on the spacer of the drive arm to strengthen the drive arm. The invention also discloses a method of manufacturing such a head stack assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting and merging a head stack assembly with a disc stack of a data storage device. The head stack assembly comprises a cantilevered flexure which supports a transducer at a distal end thereof. A carrier includes a carrier support surface arranged to contactingly support the distal end of the flexure. A merge tool is adapted to merge the transducer with a recording surface of the disc stack. The merge tool includes a merge support surface arranged to contactingly support a medial portion of the flexure while the carrier support surface is disposed between the merge support surface and the transducer. The transducer is merged by aligning the merge support surface with the medial portion of the flexure, and using the merge support surface to displace the distal end of the flexure from the carrier support surface and advance the transducer to a final position.

Abstract: A method for loading single head in a hard disk drive includes the following steps: mounting a head assembly (30) in a baseplate (10) of a hard disk drive, the head assembly comprising an actuator arm (32), a suspension (34) and a HGA, the baseplate engaging a motor (110) and the HGA is positioned close to the motor; biasing the suspension by a mounting tool (50) from the original position, the mounting tool comprising a cantilever arm (52), a pressing head (54) and a supporting rod (56), wherein, the mounting tool rotates to the suspension and gets down to press the suspension; mounting a disk (90) on the motor in the baseplate; and releasing the pressing head from the suspension, loading the HGA of the head assembly to a parking zone of the disk.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hard disk drive or related apparatus in which a possibility of head crash can be reduced to minimum even if the apparatus receives an external impact during the operating state. To achieve the object, according to the present invention, in a suspension including a load beam to which a magnetic head slider is to be attached and a head arm continuously joined to the load beam, a dummy weight is attached to the rear end of the head arm, and a attachment position of a joining member for joining a portion including the magnetic head slider, the load beam, the head arm and the dummy weight with a swing portion of a voice coil motor is provided at a position in the vicinity of the center of mass of that portion.

Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk and a head stack assembly. The head stack assembly includes an actuator arm assembly that includes first and second stamped actuator arms. The first stamped actuator arm may include a first arm portion, a first body portion and a coil-supporting portion for supporting a coil of a VCM. The first body portion defines a first contact surface. The second stamped actuator arm may include a second arm portion and a second body portion, the second body portion defining a second contact surface. According to one embodiment, the first and second stamped actuator arms may be attached to one another such that the first contact surface faces and contacts the second contact surface.

Abstract: An actuator arm assembly of a hard disk drive. The assembly includes a flexure that is attached to an actuator arm and a head coupled to the flexure. The head is coupled to a pre-amplifier circuit of the drive. The head is also electrically grounded through the flexure and the actuator arm. To improve the reliability of the ground path the flexure has a spring that is contact with a slot of the actuator arm. The spring provides a ground path from the head to the actuator arm.

Abstract: A head suspension for a disk drive has a base plate (19) to be attached to a carriage of the disk drive and a load beam (21) consisting of a rigid part (27) and a resilient part (29), to apply load onto a slider. The rigid part and resilient part are separately formed. The rigid part is joined to a first side (29a) of the resilient part. The suspension also has a reinforcing plate (37) to hold and fix a second side (29b) of the resilient part between the reinforcing plate and the base plate. The base plate stably and resiliently supports the load beam. This suspension satisfies required characteristics.

Abstract: A rotary actuator system includes an actuator block, a head mounting block, and a linkage arm connecting the actuator block and the head mounting block. The system further includes an actuator motor operatively connected to the actuator block for rotating a link. The linkage arm includes a drive link which is rotated by the actuator motor and a guide link spaced apart from the drive link. The drive link has a first end and a second end; the drive link is pivotally connected to the actuator block at the first end and connected to the head mounting block at the second end. The guide link has a first end and a second end; the guide link is connected to the actuator block at the first end and connected to the head mounting block at the second end.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hard disk drive or related apparatus in which a possibility of head crash can be reduced to minimum even if the apparatus receives an external impact during the operating state. To achieve the object, according to the present invention, in a suspension including a load beam to which a magnetic head slider is to be attached and a head arm continuously joined to the load beam, a dummy weight is attached to the rear end of the head arm, and a attachment position of a joining member for joining a portion including the magnetic head slider, the load beam, the head arm and the dummy weight with a swing portion of a voice coil motor is provided at a position in the vicinity of the center of mass of that portion.

Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and spacer, an arm stack connected with the top surface of the spacer, and a bottom arm connected with the bottom surface of the spacer. The arm stack comprises module(s) stacked on a top arm. The arm stack and bottom arm are designed such that either can be disconnected from the mounting block without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm stack and bottom arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost without deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an actuator assembly of a disk drive. The method includes providing an actuator arm, providing a suspension arm, fixing a swage plate to the suspension arm, the swage plate including a swage boss extending therefrom, depositing a film lubricant upon at least an outer surface of the swage boss, and attaching the suspension arm to the actuator arm by swaging. A method is also provided for reducing torque out retention values between the actuator arm and the suspension arm when the actuator arm and suspension arm must be separated in a subsequent de-swaging process. This method includes providing an outer surface of the swage boss, and applying a lubricant film coating to the outer surface of the swage boss. A preferred thin film lubricant may be applied by emersion and draining, localized spraying, or various deposition processes.

Abstract: A head arm assembly (HAA) includes a head slider having at least one head element, an arm member for supporting the head slider at one end section, an actuator, mounted to the other end section of the arm member, for rotationally moving the arm member in a direction substantially parallel with a recording medium surface around an axis for horizontal rotation of the arm member, and a load generation unit for generating a load for energizing the head slider in a direction to the recording medium surface by rotationally moving the arm member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the recording medium surface around an axis for vertical rotation. The position of the center of gravity of the HAA is located at a different position from the axis for vertical rotation on a center axis of the arm member.

Abstract: A method for mounting removably secured actuator arms that include head suspensions to an actuator assembly spindle. Each arm is mounted to an actuator spindle via a spacer with an annular lip with at least one detent formed into its perimeter edge. Each actuator arm includes two resilient fingers, annularly shaped to form an interior radius smaller than the spacer radius with at least one engagement member formed into a finger. Each arm is mounted by expanding the resilient fingers to a stressed state, engaging the fingers with the lip, and positioning the fingers so that each engagement member is aligned and engaged with a detent. The spacer alternatively includes a guide slot in a planar surface from which the lip extends, with the guide slot being engaged by a boss tower on the arm to properly orient the arm when mounting the arm to the spacer.

Abstract: A system and method for an improved magnetic head arm assembly (HAA) is disclosed. The HAA includes three principal components, a head gimbal assembly (HGA), a flexible printed circuit (FPC) assembly, and an actuator coil assembly. The design allows for HAA rigidity, yet each of the components is designable and manufacturable independent of one another, in addition to other advantages over current methods.

Abstract: Methods in accordance with the present invention can eliminate cumbersome and potentially contaminating methods for connecting a bearing assembly with an actuator assembly. One such assembly comprises a bearing assembly with a threaded base for insertion into a bore, wherein the bore includes threads for engaging the threaded base of the bearing assembly, eliminating the contamination associated with such methods as glueing. The bearing assembly is designed such that it can be disconnected from the actuator assembly for rework without damaging or contaminating the actuator assembly or bearing assembly. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: A head stack assembly installation system with a frame supporting a head stack installation tool including a robotic assembly supporting a measurement assembly communicating with a computer hosting an installation software program. The robotic assembly picks and places the head stack assembly into the head disc assembly and the measurement assembly collects and communicates process positions and force parameters to the computer, the computer calculating distance and force data. The installation software program directs and controls enactment of process steps followed by the head stack installation tool to install or abort installation of the head stack assembly based on the position and force data.

Abstract: Method for controlling installation of a head stack assembly in a disc drive. The head stack assembly is aligned in a head stack installation tool. A base deck assembly is advanced to the head stack installation tool, the base deck assembly having a post supporting a tolerance ring. A robotic assembly is dispatched to pick and press the head stack assembly onto the tolerance ring and post while mechanical resistance and distance traveled parameters by the head stack assembly are measured. The installation is aborted or completed in relation to the mechanical resistance encountered and the distance traveled, thus allowing use of minimum and maximum force thresholds with respect to insertion distance and assuring correct installation of the head stack assembly.

Abstract: A head actuator mechanism and a method of manufacture for that mechanism are disclosed. The head actuator mechanism includes a head gimbal assembly coupled to the top support face of a bearing assembly and an actuator driving mechanism coupled to the opposite support face. The head gimbal assembly includes an actuator arm and a load beam, the actuator arm being mounted to the top support face. The actuator driving assembly includes a driving coil and a coil holder frame. The driving coil is positioned in a magnetic field created by a magnetic block and yoke.

Abstract: An E-block of an actuator for use in a data handling system to support a read/write head adjacent a recording surface. The E-block is formed by providing feed stock along a planar orientation, drawing a portion of the feed stock out of plane to form an extension portion, and stamping the feed stock to separate an actuator arm member having a substantially planar actuator arm from which the extension portion extends, the actuator arm configured to support the read/write head. A planar motor support member configured to support a coil of an actuator motor is also stamped from the feed stock. The actuator arm member and the motor support member are stacked and attached using a suitable process such as swaging or welding. The extension portion of the actuator arm member establishes a desired axial separation distance between the motor support member and the actuator arm.

Abstract: Assemblies in accordance with the present invention can access a data storage medium having one or more disks. One such assembly comprises a mounting block including a bore and spacer, an arm stack connected with the top surface of the spacer, and a bottom arm connected with the bottom surface of the spacer. The arm stack comprises module(s) stacked on a top arm. The arm stack and bottom arm are designed such that either can be disconnected from the mounting block without disassembling the bore. By having a removably fastened arm stack and bottom arm, the assembly can be built at a relatively low cost without deformation. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures, and the claims.

Abstract: Provided is a component for use in swage mounting that includes a base plate, having a first side and a second side, and a hub which preferably is cylindrically shaped. The hub is primarily comprised of a first material (such as stainless steel), extends from the second side of the base plate, and has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface of the hub includes numerous protrusions that are less than approximately 50 microns in height and that are primarily comprised of a second material (such as a carbide or a nitride) which is different from the first material. Preferably, the protrusions are substantially harder (such as at least 50 hardness Vickers harder) than the base material.

Abstract: An E-block (20) and head stack assembly (15) for maintaining one or more data transducers (18) proximate one or more rotating storage disks (28) of a disk drive (10) is provided herein. The E-block (20) includes an actuator hub (52) and one or more actuator arms (22). The actuator arms (22) cantilever away from the actuator hub (52) and hold the data transducers (18) proximate the rotating storage disks (28). As provided herein, at least one of the actuator arms (22) has a roll-bias angle (70) over the majority of the length of the actuator arm (22). Moreover, the head stack assembly (15) maintains a suspension assembly (24) at a reduced suspension z-height (72) relative to the storage disk (28). As provided herein, the roll-bias angle (70) of the actuator arms (22) and the reduced suspension z-height (72), each decrease track misregistration.

Abstract: A method for swaging a suspension assembly to an actuator arm of a data storage device is disclosed. The method includes steps of inserting a deformable tubular stake into an aperture of an actuator arm and inserting an expandable swaging member into a channel of the tubular stake within the aperture of the actuator arm. Thereafter, the method includes the step of expanding the swaging member to deform the tubular stake to swage the tubular stake to the actuator arm of the data storage device.