Hutchinson Technology Corporation

Stevenson J Marek

Craig A Leabch

Shane J Van Sloun

Mark R Christianson

Mark A Miller

Jeffry S Bennin

Raymond R Wolter

Larry C Webb, Jr

Mark A Schmidt

James Roger Mahoney

Anthony J Liberko

Steven R Lagergren

Brandon K Fraser

Mark T Girard

A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive. The method includes providing a first layer including a mounting region with an integral boss tower attached to a stiffener by one or more positioning tabs; attaching a second layer including a spring region to an interface between the mounting region and the stiffener; attaching a flexure to the stiffener; and removing the positioning tabs. The flexure can optionally be a portion of the second layer.

Method of forming a head suspension with an integral boss tower

A stacked suspension assembly for a data storage drive having, for example, at least two suspension members with each suspension member has a bearing hole therethrough. At least one spacer is positioned between the at least two suspension members to separate adjacent suspension members Each spacer has a bearing hole therethrough. A bearing member can be inserted within the bearing holes of the at least two suspension members and the at least one spacer. The bearing member has an actuator hole into which an actuator pivot member is insertable.

Suspension bearings for data storage drive

A switchable shunt has an insulating layer separating conductive lead and spring metal layers. The shunt includes a base region formed on the spring metal layer, one or more arms formed in the conductive lead layer and at least one of the insulating and spring metal layers, one or more pad regions electrically coupled to an arm and formed in at least the conductive lead layer, and one or more gaps. Each arm extends through a gap and is resiliently biased toward a shunted state with the pad region in electrical contact with the base region. The shunt is movable to an electrically open state where the pad and base regions are electrically isolated. A method of making the shunt includes etching the shunt from laminated material and pushing the arm and pad through the gap. The shunt may be operated by applying a force to the arm.

Method of making switchable shunts for integrated lead suspensions

A head suspension assembly in a rigid disk drive having a load beam with a mounting region, a rigid region and a spring region located between the mounting region and rigid region. The mounting region includes an integral boss tower having attachment features. A method of making a multi-piece head suspension for a rigid disk drive is also disclosed. The method includes providing a first layer including a mounting region with an integral boss tower attached to a stiffener by one or more positioning tabs; attaching a second layer including a spring region to an interface between the mounting region and the stiffener; attaching a flexure to the stiffener; and removing the positioning tabs. The flexure can optionally be a portion of the second layer.

Intergral base plate with boss tower

Method of operating switchable shunts for integrated lead suspensions

Switchable shunts for integrated lead suspensions

A partially thinned wire support pad of a generally rectangular shape is provided extending laterally from a longitudinal edge of a base plate of a load beam. The support pad is cut from sheet material in one piece with the load beam and, during other manufacturing procedures applied to the load beam, is partially thinned to a thickness less than the thickness of the load beam. In addition to the partial thinning procedure, provides a smooth radiused convex edge is provided for the exterior perimeter of the partially thinned wire support pad. Partial thinning may also be provided to a trough at a base of channel rails to provide an area of reduced thickness to the channel to provide proximal and distal edges of the channel having a smooth well-radiused profile.

Bonded wire capture

A head suspension for supporting a read/write head of a rotary data storage device combines an actuator arm and load beam in a longitudinally compact construction. The construction includes overlapping laminae with one laminae extending over a hole provided in the other laminae, resulting in a monocoque construction of the head suspension that minimizes rotational inertia while maintaining desirable levels of shock, resonance and deflection performance of the head suspension.

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Hutchinson, MN, United States of America

Stevenson J Marek