Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.v.

Ali Sanayei

Jih-Shiuan Luo

Darrick Taylor Smith

Systems and methods of testing individual sliders are disclosed. One embodiment is a test system that includes a mechanical stress system, a quasi-static measurement system, a transport system, and a slider holder. The individual sliders to be tested are aligned in a row in the slider holder, and the slider holder secures the sliders. The measurement system performs quasi-static measurements on sliders in the slider holder simultaneously. The transport system then transports the slider holder to the mechanical stress system. The mechanical stress system applies mechanical stress to the sliders in slider holder. The transport system then transports the slider holder again to the quasi-static measurement system. This process repeats a desired number of times to complete testing.

Individual slider testing

A device for handling and testing individual sliders in a row-like format utilizes an elongated, row-like holder having a series of small pockets, each of which receives a single slider. After the sliders enter the holder, a clamp is moved to a closed position to retain the sliders in the holder. The holder is placed in a test fixture such that permanently mounted probes precisely engage the small pads on the sliders for multiple testing purposes. Enlarged probe pads on the test fixture are electrically interconnected with the probes to provide an operator with easy access to the slider pads. The sliders are tested in a row-like format, side by side, to reduce handling-induced electrostatic discharge and mechanical damage.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Ali Sanayei