Abstract: A slider and micro-actuator assembly of the present invention comprises a substrate having a trailing edge and a leading edge opposite the trailing edge; a read/write transducer formed at the trailing edge of the substrate and a piezoelectric micro-actuator formed at the leading edge of the substrate. The piezoelectric micro-actuator connects with the leading edge of the substrate via two spaced insulation layers so as to form a space between the piezoelectric micro-actuator and the leading edge of the substrate, the substrate with the read/write transducer rotates against a center thereof when the piezoelectric micro-actuator is driven to generate a rotation torque to the substrate via the space. The structure of the slider and micro-actuator assembly prevents the read/write transducer from damaged and gets better operation performance when the piezoelectric micro-actuator is driven.

Abstract: A vibration sensor for a slider includes a base portion, a loading portion adapted for supporting the slider mounted thereon and formed within the base portion, and at least two connection arms connecting the base portion with the loading portion. The vibration sensor of the present invention can sensitively sense a vibration of the slider, thus maintaining the flying height of the slider, and finally improving the performance thereof. The invention also discloses a suspension, a head gimbal assembly and a manufacturing method thereof, and a disk drive unit including the same.

Abstract: In a magnetic head suspension according to the present invention, each of paired right and left connecting beams that are positioned on both sides of an open section, with which paired piezoelectric elements are at least partially overlapped in a plan view, in a suspension width direction and connect a proximal end section that is directly or indirectly connected to a main actuator and a distal end section to which the load bending part is connected includes proximal-side and distal-side beams. The distal-side beam is inclined with respect to the proximal-side beam in a plan view such that a connection point between the proximal-side and distal-side beams is located closer to a suspension longitudinal center line relative to a virtual line connecting the proximal end of the proximal-side beam and the distal end of the distal-side beam.

Abstract: A suspension for a head gimbal assembly comprises a flexure having a plurality of electrical traces formed thereon, a plurality of first bonding pads formed on a first surface of the flexure and at least one second bonding pad formed on a second surface of the flexure opposite the first surface. The first bonding pads and the at least one second bonding pad are electrically connected with the electrical traces and adapted to electrically connect to a slider of the head gimbal assembly. The invention also discloses a head gimbal assembly and a disk drive unit with the same.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a head suspension assembly includes: a metal thin plate held by a head suspension; a fixed plate formed in the metal thin plate and joined to the head suspension; a supporting plate formed in the metal thin plate on the front side of the fixed plate and supporting a head slider on a surface thereof and held on a rear surface thereof by a protrusion formed on the head suspension; an arm formed in the metal thin plate and extending from the fixed plate to the supporting plate and allowing a change in a posture of the supporting plate; an insulating layer extending from the fixed plate to the supporting plate and supported by the arm; a wiring pattern formed on the insulating layer; and a visco-elastic body arranged on a flat surface formed on the arm, the insulating layer, or the wiring pattern.

Abstract: A disk hard disk drive that includes a spindle motor and an actuator arm coupled to a base plate. A plurality of disks are coupled to the spindle motor and a plurality of heads are coupled to the actuator arm and the disks. The drive also includes a cover attached to the base plate. The cover and base plate enclose a hard disk area that has a horizontal center line. The hard disk area includes a volume of air above the horizontal center line that is equal to a volume of air below the horizontal center line. The air space within the hard disk area is equal and symmetrical in a vertical direction. Such an arrangement reduces track mis-registration when servo is copied from a disk surface to the other surfaces of the disks in the drive.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an head gimbal assembly (HGA) according to the present invention is comprised of: a step for preparing a thin film piezoelectric actuator including a first piezoelectric laminate having a first piezoelectric layer, and a second piezoelectric laminate having a second piezoelectric layer; a step for preparing a suspension; a fixing step for fixing the thin film piezoelectric actuator to the suspension; a first repolarization treatment step for performing repolarization treatment to the first piezoelectric layer after the fixing step; and a second repolarization treatment step for performing repolarization treatment to the second piezoelectric layer after the fixing step.

Abstract: This application discloses a hard disk drive comprising a landing ramp mounted to a disk base including a slider limiter for at least one slider in the hard disk drive to limit movement of the sliders during a non-operational shock event while parked on the loading ramp. Each of the slider limiters includes a clearance zone configured so that when the slider contacts the slider limiter during the non-operational event, the read-write head remains out of contact with the slider limiter. The clearance zone may include a recess and/or a cutout. The clearance zone may include a recess and/or a cutout. The recess may take any shape, for example the recess may be a polygon and/or curved in cross section. The polygon may have at least two sides. The clearance zone may further include a radial bulge to further protect the read-write head during non-operational shock events.

Abstract: A flexure comprises a metal base, an insulating layer, and first and second conductors. First and second openings are formed so as to extend longitudinally relative to the metal base. These openings are formed at predetermined intervals longitudinally relative to the metal base. The metal base comprises ground regions continuous in a longitudinal direction thereof, ladder portions extending transversely relative to the metal base, and band-like portions formed between the openings. The band-like portions are located so as to overlap a gap between the conductors when the metal base is viewed vertically thicknesswise from above. The band-like portions extend longitudinally relative to the metal base along the conductors. Junctions are formed between the ground regions and band-like portions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a slider support mechanism includes a flexure includes a distal end portion on a front side mounted with a slider includes a magnetic head configured to record/reproduce data on/from a recording medium, a hinge plate configured to produce spring force urging the slider toward the recording medium, a load beam joined to a front portion of the hinge plate, and a base plate joined to a rear portion of the hinge plate. The flexure comprises a front portion on a back side joined to the load beam, a rear portion on the back side joined to at least one of the rear portion of the hinge plate and the base plate, and a control mechanism configured to control the spring force.

Abstract: Head gimbal assemblies for data storage systems are provided. Some embodiments include a dielectric layer having a first and a second side. A first conductive layer is on the first dielectric layer. The first conductive layer includes a pad and a trace. A second conductive layer is on the second dielectric side. A via extends from the first dielectric layer side to the second dielectric layer side. The via electrically connects the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a first head module independently moveably mounted relative to the storage device. The first head module includes at least one of a read element and a write element. In addition, the data storage device includes a second head module independently moveably mounted relative to the storage device. The second head module includes at least one of a read element and a write element operatively associated with the at least one of a read element and write element of the first head module. The second head module is selectively shiftable relative to the first head module in order to align the at least one of the read element and the write element of the first head module and the at least one of the read element and the write element of the second head module to one another.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include a system and method for improving the reliability performance of hard disk drives by routing the traces connected to the slider from the trailing edge to the leading edge and having a portion of the traces being under the magnetic slider. Aspects of the present invention can also include routing the traces in a manner that lessens the stress experienced during vibration or shock events.

Abstract: The present thermally assisted magnetic head has: a plasmon antenna; an optical wave guide having the plasmon antenna installed at the tip thereof; a diffraction grating which is disposed in or on the optical wave guide; and a laser element which is disposed at a position to irradiate laser beams onto the diffraction grating, and is composed of a photonic crystal surface emitting semiconductor layer. A laser light intensity distribution on the diffraction grating has at least two intensity peaks in the width direction of the optical wave guide. The two-dimensional form of the laser light intensity distribution on the diffraction grating is a ring or two ellipses.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a micro actuator device, includes: a first piezoelectric element superposed on a first lower support plate coupled to a fixed plate; a second piezoelectric element superposed on a second lower support plate in parallel with the first lower support plate coupled to the fixed plate; a first upper support plate interposing the first piezoelectric element between the first upper support plate and the first lower support plate, and generating strain equal to strain of the first lower support plate when a tensile force of the first piezoelectric element acts on the first lower support plate; and a second upper support plate interposing the second piezoelectric element between the second upper support plate and the second lower support plate, and generating strain equal to strain of the second lower support plate when a tensile force of the second piezoelectric element acts on the second lower support plate.

Abstract: A disk drive assembly includes a movable assembly having a mounting arm, a stationary electronics module, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connecting the movable assembly to the stationary electronics module, and a flexible support sandwiched between the flexible PCB and the mounting arm. The flexible support is attached to the mounting arm and the flexible PCB, and extends past the mounting arm of the movable assembly. The flexible support is flexible enough to flex with the flexible PCB but has sufficient rigidity so that an exit point and an exit angle of the flexible PCB can vary during movement of the movable assembly. In addition, the flexible PCB is attached to the flexible support through an adhesive layer that damps vibrations in the flexible PCB.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a board main body portion, an auxiliary portion folded back with respect to the board main body portion, a slider disposed close to the board main body portion, and mounting thereon a magnetic head, and a light emitting element disposed close to the auxiliary portion. The conductive pattern includes a first conductive pattern including a first terminal, and a second terminal connected to the magnetic head, and a second conductive pattern including a third terminal and a fourth terminal connected to the light emitting element. The first, second and third terminals are disposed on the board main body portion. The fourth terminal is disposed on the auxiliary portion. The back surface of the board main body portion is formed with a main-body-side interfitting portion. A back surface of the auxiliary portion is formed with an auxiliary-portion-side interfitting portion.

Abstract: A head suspension has a jumper capable of protecting an insulating cover layer of the jumper from being abraded by an edge of a base plate of the head suspension. The head suspension includes the base plate, a load beam, an actuator element to be deformed in response to applied power and thereby move the load beam relative to the base plate, a flexure arranged along a side of the base plate, and the jumper having a first end electrically connected to the actuator element, an intermediate part extending over a base plate edge of the base plate, and a second end electrically connected to the flexure, to supply power from the flexure to the actuator element. The jumper is composed of the insulating cover layer, a conductor layer, an insulating layer, and a metal layer that are laid one on another from a surface side of the base plate. The conductor layer is diverged in a direction in which the layers of the jumper are laid one on another, to form an escape recess to avoid an edge of the base plate edge.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head has a magneto-resistive (MR) effect element including an MR effect film formed by sequentially layering a magnetic pinned layer, a nonmagnetic layer and a free layer, and a pair of bias magnetic field application layers formed at junction tapered parts formed on both end parts of the magneto-resistive effect film in the width direction via insulating layers. Further, magnetic pinned layer oxidized films whose thickness is Hx (unit: nm) are disposed on end parts of the magnetic pinned layer at the junction tapered parts, free layer oxidized films whose thickness is Hf (unit: nm) are disposed on end parts of the free layer at the junction tapered parts, and the oxidized films are configured such that the thickness ratio (Hx/Hf) is not more than 0.5.

Abstract: A data storage device comprises a housing, a data storage medium within the housing and a head gimbal assembly including a suspension supporting a read/write head. The read/write head is configured to store and retrieve data on the data storage medium. The read/write head is operably positioned between the data storage medium and the housing. The device further includes a head-lift limiter protruding from the housing that limits a movement of the read/write head in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the data storage medium.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for forming a high quality master pattern for patterned media, including features to support servo patterns, is disclosed. Block copolymer self-assembly is used to facilitate the formation of a track pattern with narrower tracks. E-beam lithography forms a chemical contrast pattern of concentric rings, where the spacing of the rings is equal to an integral multiple of the target track pitch. The rings include regions within each servo sector header where the rings are offset radially by a fraction of a track pitch. Self-assembly is performed to form a new ring pattern at the target track pitch on top of the chemical contrast pattern, including the radial offsets in the servo sector headers. When this pattern is transferred to disks via nanoimprinting and etching, it creates tracks separated by nonmagnetic grooves, with the grooves and tracks including the radial offset regions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic disk including a recording surface, a head gimbal assembly including a slider in which a head is incorporated and a tab, and a ramp in a vicinity of the magnetic disk, the ramp including a first counter surface opposed to a peripheral part of the magnetic disk, a second counter surface opposed to an edge surface of the magnetic disk, and a ramp edge, in which the ramp includes a part of a side surface which is adjacent to the first counter surface and faces to a rotating direction of the magnetic disk, and is recessed toward a downstream side in the rotating direction of the magnetic disk, and the part of the side surface which is recessed and a tangent line to an outer circumference of the magnetic disk form an acute angle.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a suspension substrate which can decrease the whole thickness thereof and limit the generation of warpage. To attain the object, the present invention provides a suspension substrate comprising: an insulation layer, a pair of wirings consisting of an upper wiring formed on one surface of the insulation layer and a lower wiring formed on the other surface of the insulation layer, and a metal substrate formed on the surface of the insulation layer on the lower wiring side.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic head slider includes a write head having a single magnetic pole, the single magnetic pole having a main magnetic pole piece that extends to a medium opposing surface facing a magnetic disk. The main magnetic pole piece generates a recording magnetic field from a medium opposing surface side end face thereof being divided into an injection region and a non-injection region. Impurities which deteriorate magnetic properties are present in a higher concentration in the injection region relative to a concentration of the impurities in the non-injection region due to injection of the impurities in the injection region. The non-injection region has a narrower width at a leading end of the medium opposing surface side end face than at a trailing end of the medium opposing surface side end face.

Abstract: The head-slider is configured to receive an air-stream produced by rotation of a magnetic-recording disk and is configured to fly in proximity with a recording surface of the magnetic-recording disk. The head-slider includes a trailing edge on an outflow side of the air-stream, and a disk-facing surface that is configured to face the recording surface of the magnetic-recording disk. A low-surface-energy film is disposed on a portion of a trailing-edge side of the head-slider that is in contact with a boundary between the trailing edge and the disk-facing surface. The low-surface-energy film has a lower surface energy than other portions of the trailing-edge side where the low-surface-energy film is not disposed.

Abstract: It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a suspension substrate having reduced strain. The present invention solves the problem by providing a suspension substrate comprising: a fundamental structure in which a metal substrate, a first insulation layer, and a wiring are laminated in this order; a wide wiring laminate structure provided with a wide wiring first insulation part of the first insulation layer, a first wide wiring formed on the wide wiring first insulation part, a second insulation part formed on the first wide wiring, and a second wide wiring formed on the second insulation part; and a narrow wiring-containing structure provided with a narrow wiring first insulation part of the first insulation layer and a first narrow wiring formed on the narrow wiring first insulation part, wherein the narrow wiring-containing structure is provided with a strain-limiting part formed to limit strain generated in relation to the wide wiring laminate structure.

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: In a method of biasing a slider, a bias voltage is generated for biasing a slider. The bias voltage is integratedly coupled to a conductive body of the slider via an existing signal path of the slider such that the slider is biased with the bias voltage. The existing signal path is primarily used for conveying another signal to or from the slider but at least sometimes conveys the bias voltage to the conductive body in an integral fashion along with another signal.

Abstract: This application discloses a hard disk drive, a head stack assembly, and a printed circuit board configured to include impedance patches on the flex ground plane, the flex power plane, the printed circuit ground plane and/or the printed circuit power plane over or under a connector site in the disk base that conveys access read and write differential signals for the sliders' access of rotating disk surfaces. These impedance patches minimize impedance discontinuities in the read and/or write differential signals through the connector site, which may improve the ability of the hard disk drive to transmit these signals at higher frequencies.

Abstract: An object is to provide a sintered body causing less chipping and having a sufficiently higher polishing rate than a conventional AlTiC sintered body, and providing a sufficiently smooth air bearing surface. The sintered body according to the present invention consists of Al2O3, a compound represented by the chemical formula (1) below, and a composite oxide containing Al and Ti, TiCxOy??(1) wherein x+y?1, x>0 and y>0.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for mounting an object to a base. In one example, the apparatus includes a base and a protuberant feature extending from the base. The protuberant feature includes a datum surface sized to matingly engage a corresponding surface of an object to precisely position the object with respect to the base.

Abstract: Connecting a preamplifier to a printed circuit board assembly on a hard disk drive. The disk includes a housing, a head stack assembly coupled with the housing, a printed circuit board assembly comprising via holes, a preamplifier coupled with the head stack assembly, and at least one deformable pogo pin configured to mechanically and communicatively connect the printed circuit board assembly to the preamplifier upon insertion into the via holes, further configured to comprise a tip and a shaft, and further configured to deform upon insertion into the via holes.

Abstract: A slider resistant to lubricant accumulation. The slider resistant to lubricant accumulation includes a positive-air-pressure portion of the slider configured to levitate the slider above a magnetic-recording disk and a negative-air-pressure portion of the slider configured to bring the slider into proximity with the magnetic-recording disk at a fly height sufficient for writing data to and reading data from the magnetic-recording disk. The slider resistant to lubricant accumulation also includes a lubricant-accumulation barrier disposed in proximity to a trailing edge of the slider. The lubricant-accumulation barrier is configured to reduce lubricant accumulation on the slider.

Abstract: A flex cable comprises a base film, a first adhesive layer coupled with the base film, and at least two signal traces coupled with the first adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises a second adhesive layer coupled with the signal traces and the first adhesive layer, and a cover film coupled with the second adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises an electrically conductive layer adjacent to the signal traces, and parallel with the base film and the cover film.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a conductive pattern, a board main body portion on which a magnetic head is mounted, and an auxiliary portion capable of being folded back with respect to the board main body portion so as to face a back surface of the board main body portion. The conductive pattern includes a first conductive pattern including a first terminal electrically connected to an external circuit, and a second terminal electrically connected to the magnetic head, and a second conductive pattern including a third terminal electrically connected to the external circuit, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to an electronic element. Both of the first terminal and the second terminal are disposed on the board main body portion. The third terminal is disposed on the board main body portion or on the auxiliary portion, and the fourth terminal is disposed on the auxiliary portion.

Abstract: A flex cable for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a base film, a first adhesive layer coupled with the base film, and at least one interrogation trace and at least one signal trace coupled with the first adhesive layer. The interrogation trace is configured to be probed to measure a deterioration of electrical conductivity. The flex cable has a second adhesive layer that is coupled with the interrogation trace, the signal trace, and the first adhesive layer. The flex cable comprises a cover film coupled with the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: The semiconductor oxide layer that forms a part of the spacer layer in the inventive giant magnetoresistive device (CPP-GMR device) is composed of zinc oxide of wurtzite structure that is doped with a dopant given by at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Ge, V, and Cr in a content of 0.05 to 0.90 at %: there is the advantage obtained that ever higher MR ratios are achievable while holding back an increase in the area resistivity AR.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a carriage assembly includes a carriage block body, a carriage arm, a coil, a pair of support arms, and a frame body. The carriage block body is rotatably connected to a spindle. The carriage arm extends forward from the front of the carriage block body. The coil is located behind the carriage block body, and defines a linear region extending along a reference straight line extending radially from the center of the spindle. The support arms extend in parallel to the linear region from a back surface of the carriage block body. The frame body is made of a resin material, and fills between the coil and the support arms to couple the coil and the support arms. The support arms extend more outside than the external end of the linear region of the coil in the radial direction.

Abstract: Provided is an HGA with a radiation structure that can effectively get away the heat generated from a light source. The HGA comprises a suspension and a head comprising a slider and a light source unit. The suspension comprises an opening, and the light source unit projects through the opening to the opposite side to the slider in relation to the suspension. Further, the first and second pads are provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the suspension, respectively, the end surface opposite to the source-installation surface of the light source is connected to the first pad by the first connection member, and an electrode of the head part is connected to the second pad by the second connection member. Thus, heat flow paths can be provided from the light source to the opposed-to-medium surface to allow effective radiation of the heat generated from the light source.

Abstract: A magnetic read/write head includes: a slider having an ABS, a surface at an leading edge, and a surface at an trailing edge; a piezoelectric device arranged on the surface at the trailing edge of the slider; and a magnetic read/write element arranged on the piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device, upon application of voltage, is displaced asymmetrically with respect to a displacement axis which is on the surface at the trailing edge of the slider and which is perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording medium. With this asymmetrical displacement of the piezoelectric device, the magnetic read/write element rotates about the rotation axis perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A gimbal head assembly and an actuator having the same, the gimbal head assembly and the actuator being included in a hard disk drive (HDD). The actuator can include a swing arm rotatably installed on a base member, the head gimbal assembly elastically biasing a read/write head towards a surface of a disk, and a voice coil motor rotating the swing arm. The head gimbal assembly can include a load beam attached to the swing arm, a flexure attached to the load beam, a slider mounted on a slider mounting portion of the flexure and comprising a read/write head installed on the slider, and an air foil disposed in front of the slider and guiding air flow generated due to rotations of the disk along both sides of the slider.

Abstract: A head suspension 31 has a piezoelectric element 13 that deforms in response to a voltage applied thereto, a base plate 33 having an attaching part to which the piezoelectric element 13 is attached, and a load beam 35 having a flexure 39. A front end of the load beam 35 moves in a sway direction according to the deformation of the piezoelectric element 13. The head suspension 31 includes adhesives that attach the piezoelectric element 13 to the attaching part. The adhesives are applied to and hardened at the attaching part one by one. At least one of the adhesives that is first applied to and hardened at the attaching part is electrically insulative. The head suspension 31 properly maintains electric insulation between the piezoelectric element 13 and the attaching part, sufficiently demonstrates original functions, and secures a rigidity balance and proper vibration characteristic.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic head assembly includes a magnetic head, a tang portion, a pair of arm portions, a connecting portion, a flexure, a load beam, and a damper. The tang portion supports the magnetic head. The arm portions support the tang portion, and are connected to the tang portion while being connected to each other at a rear side of the tang portion. The connecting portion connects the arm portions. The flexure has a narrow portion being narrow in the width direction behind the connecting portion. The flexure guides wirings extending backward the narrow portion to be connected to the magnetic head. The load beam extends in the front-back direction while supporting the flexure, and has an opening through which a portion of the flexure is exposed. The damper is arranged on the load beam and the portion of the flexure.

Abstract: A magnetic head assembly includes: a slider; an actuator disposed on an end face of the slider; and a magnetic head unit connected to the actuator. The actuator has a structure in which multiple electrodes are arranged in a piezoelectric body, and is driven in d33 mode. In other words, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the actuator, a portion between the electrodes in the piezoelectric body expands or contracts with respect to a voltage application direction. When the piezoelectric body of the actuator expands or contracts, the magnetic head unit is deformed, and the deformation causes a change of the distance between a magnetic head (recording element and reproducing element) and a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head comprises an MR laminated body that has first and second magnetic layers, a nonmagnetic middle layer, and the first and second magnetic layers and the nonmagnetic middle layer are laminated to make contact with each other in respective order. First and second antiferromagnetic layers are provided with the first and second magnetic layers respectively. The first antiferromagnetic layer and/or the second antiferromagnetic layer contains a void part or a thin portion at least in a portion of the projection area toward the orthogonal direction to the film surface of the MR laminated body.

Abstract: This application discloses a hard disk drive, a head stack assembly, and a head gimbal assembly, each including a micro-actuator hinge configured to position a slider over a rotating disk surface with greater stroke sensitivity while reducing bending perpendicular to the disk surface. The micro-actuator hinge includes at least one micro-actuator, a hinge plate and at least one hinge plate cover, with the micro-actuator including a first region and a second region, each coupled between the hinge plate and the hinge plate cover.

Abstract: A magnetic storage system includes a magnetic storage medium and a transducer positioned adjacent the magnetic storage medium. The transducer has a reader positioned adjacent writer and a reader bias coil located on the transducer. Transducer circuitry is configured to apply a bias signal to the reader bias coil during a read-write operation. The reader bias coil generates a reader bias field proximate the reader.

Abstract: An aligning device includes a recognizing unit and a determining unit. The recognizing unit recognizes an intersection formed by two straight lines not parallel to each other among a plurality of straight lines of a register mark. The determining unit determines a position based on the recognized intersection. The register mark is used when an FPC terminal and a head terminal are superposed and connected. The FPC terminal is a wiring pattern formed on an FPC in a magnetic disk device. The head terminal is one of wiring patterns that are connected to a magnetic head in the magnetic disk device and is located in a portion that is superposed with the FPC terminal. The determining unit determines a position on the FPC where the head terminal is superposed.

Abstract: A method corrects a head suspension by irradiating an objective part of the head suspension with a laser beam before or after mounting a read/write head on the head suspension. The method can precisely correct the head suspension even when correcting the head suspension a plurality of times. The method includes drawing, with the laser beam, a straight line of predetermined length on the objective part and repeating this process a plurality of times in such a way that the direction of a straight line drawn this time crosses the direction of a straight line drawn last time.

Abstract: A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board extending in a longitudinal direction, an insulating layer formed on the metal supporting board, and a conductive pattern formed on the insulating layer. In the suspension board with circuit, a magnetic-head mounting region where a slider with a magnetic head mounted thereon is mounted is located in one end portion in the longitudinal direction, and the thickness of the metal supporting board in at least a part of the magnetic-head mounting region is smaller than that in a region other than the magnetic-head mounting region.