Magnetic head and disc tester employing pivot arm on linearly movable

Abstract

A magnetic head and disc tester imitates motions of the head on a hard disc drive and comprises a stationary base (22), a slide mechanism (24) which can be installed in any required position on the base (22) with respect to a center of rotation of a magnetic disc (D). The disc (D) is rotatingly supported by a spindle unit (42) fixed to the stationary base (22). A magnetic head (52) to be tested is attached to the end of an arm (16) which is pivotally supported on a slide (36) of the slide mechanism. The angular position of the longitudinal axis of the magnetic disc with respect to a tangent to a given track of magnetic disc (52) , i.e., a skew angle, can be adjusted and the head can be fixed in the adjusted position. For measuring the parameters of the head or the disc, the slide (36) is moved linearly and carries the magnetic head over the disc in a linear direction, the head being installed at a required skew angle by means of the above-mentioned angular adjustment. Thus, instead of rotary motion of the head with respect to the disc tracks, it is moved linearly, but maintains the same skew angle as on the disc drive. Although this approximation produces some tracking error, it is negligible, and the tester has a simpler construction and universal applicability.