Hutchinson Technology Corporation

Kirk J Van Dreel

Raymond R Wolter

Thomas F Heeren

A method for aligning head suspension structures minimize to misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The load beam and the flexure of the head suspension include a first aperture formed near a load point dimple of the head suspension to provide a reference datum. An elongated alignment aperture is formed in the rigid region of the load beam, and a proximal alignment aperture and a distal alignment aperture are formed in the flexure. The elongated the aperture overlaps at least a portion of the proximal and distal alignment apertures in such a manner that the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated aperture encroaches on the proximal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture encroaches upon the elongated alignment aperture. This configuration of apertures allows the flexure and load beam to be independently aligned relative to each other by pins of an alignment tool that engage the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated alignment aperture.

Method for aligning head suspension structures

An alignment tool for analyzing head suspension structures to minimize misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The tool includes a pain of pins that are inserted in apertures of the head suspension structures. That is, alignment tool engages a proximal perimeter edge of a distal alignment aperture on one of the load beam and the flexure and a proximal perimeter edge of a elongated alignment aperture or the other of the load beam and the flexure to provide longitudinal tension between the structures during the attachment of the structures.

Tool for aligning head suspension structures

A head suspension having an alignment structure for minimizing misalignments between a flexure and a load beam of the head suspension. The load beam and the flexure of the head suspension include a first aperture formed near a load point dimple of the head suspension to provide a reference datum. An elongated alignment aperture is formed in the rigid region of the load beam, and a proximal alignment aperture and a distal alignment aperture are formed in the flexure. The elongated the aperture overlaps at least a portion of the proximal and distal alignment apertures in such a manner that the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated aperture encroaches on the proximal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture encroaches upon the elongated alignment aperture. This configuration of apertures allows the flexure and load beam to be independently aligned relative to each other by pins of an alignment tool that engage the proximal perimeter edge of the distal alignment aperture and the proximal perimeter edge of the elongated alignment aperture.

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New London, WI, United States of America

Kirk J Van Dreel