Thin suspension design

Abstract

A base plate for a disk drive suspension is provided. The base plate includes a receiving space at a distal end configured to engage a spring of a load beam. The receiving space extends partially along a length of the base plate. The base plate also includes a swage hub at a proximal end and a recessed surface surrounding the swage hub. The proximal end is opposite the distal end. The recessed surface is at least partially defined by a base plate support.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of suspensions for disk drives. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the field of suspensions and methods of mounting actuators used in suspensions. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic hard disk drives and other types of rotating media drives, such as optical disk drives, are well known. A conventional disk drive unit includes a rotating magnetic disk having a pattern of 1s and 0s for magnetic storage media that constitutes the data stored on the disk drive. The magnetic disk is driven by a drive motor. The disk drive unit also includes a disk drive suspension with a magnetic read / write mounted near the distal end of a load beam. The "proximal" end of the suspension or load beam is the end that is supported, i.e., the end closest to the base plate that is swaged or otherwise attached to the actuator arm. The "distal" end of the suspension or load beam is the end opposite the proximal end, i.e., the "distal" end is a cantilevered end.

[0003] The suspension is coupled to an actuator arm, which in turn is coupled to a voice coil motor that moves the suspension in an arc to position the head slider over the correct data track on the data disk. The head slider is supported on a gimbal that allows the slider to pitch and roll to follow the appropriate data track on the disk, accounting for variations in disk vibrations, inertial events such as collisions, and disk surface irregularities.

[0004] Both single-stage actuation disk drive suspensions and dual-stage actuation (DSA) suspensions are well known. In a single-stage actuation suspension, only a voice coil motor drives the suspension. In a DSA suspension, a small actuator located on the suspension moves the head slider, positioning it over the correct data track. The actuator provides both more accurate head slider positioning and higher servo bandwidth than a voice coil motor. The actuator can be located in various locations on the suspension, depending on the DSA suspension design. Typically, left and right actuators operate in a push-pull fashion to rotate the load beam or the distal end of the load beam. The most common DSA suspension design uses an actuator on the base plate located on the load beam shelf, where actuation of a piezoelectric (PZT) actuator rotates the entire load beam. The actuators used in DSA suspensions are called milliactuators or microactuators. Summary of the Invention

[0005] A base plate for a disk drive suspension is provided. The base plate includes a receiving space at a distal end configured to engage a spring of a load beam. The receiving space extends partially along a length of the base plate. The base plate also includes a swage hub at a proximal end and a recessed surface surrounding the swage hub. The proximal end is opposite the proximal end. The recessed surface is at least partially defined by a base plate support.

[0006] In some embodiments of the base plate, the base plate may include a left mounting region and a right mounting region at a proximal end. Each mounting region includes one or more mounting shelves extending from the base plate and configured to receive an actuator. The disk drive suspension may be configured as a two-stage actuation suspension.

[0007] In some embodiments of the base plate, the actuator mounting shelf closer to the distal end includes an engagement element configured to abut a spring on the load beam. In some embodiments of the base plate, each mounting region includes a portion of the spring extending into the mounting region to serve as a mounting shelf for the actuator. In some embodiments of the base plate, the disk drive suspension includes a single-stage actuation suspension. The recessed surface may have a shape corresponding to a contoured portion of the actuator arm defined by the base plate support. The base plate support may be asymmetric or symmetric. In some embodiments of the base plate, the receiving space includes an etched surface configured to engage a spring on the load beam.

[0008] A disk drive suspension is also described. The disk drive suspension may include a load beam including a spring and a base plate coupled to the spring of the load beam. The base plate includes a receiving space at a distal end configured to engage the spring of the load beam. The receiving space extends partially along a length of the base plate. The base plate also includes a swage hub at a proximal end and a recessed surface surrounding the swage hub. The distal end is opposite the proximal end. The recessed surface is at least partially defined by a base plate support.

[0009] In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the base plate may include a left mounting region and a right mounting region at a proximal end. Each mounting region includes one or more mounting shelves extending from the base plate and configured to receive an actuator. The disk drive suspension may be configured as a two-stage actuation suspension.

[0010] In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the actuator mounting shelf closer to the distal end includes an engagement element configured to abut a spring on the load beam. In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, each mounting region includes a portion of the spring extending into the mounting region to serve as a mounting shelf for the actuator. In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the disk drive suspension includes a single-stage actuation suspension. The recessed surface may have a shape corresponding to a contoured portion of the actuator arm defined by the base plate support. The base plate support may be asymmetric or symmetric. In some embodiments of the disk drive suspension, the receiving space includes an etched surface configured to engage a spring on the load beam.

[0011] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. Embodiments according to the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a hard disk drive assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a DSA suspension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the DSA suspension of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B illustrate base plate designs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 5 illustrates the base plate design of FIG. 4 incorporated into a DSA suspension, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the DSA suspension of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10A-10C illustrate alternative base plate designs according to embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 8 illustrates the base plate design of FIG. 7 incorporated into a DSA suspension, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the DSA suspension of FIG. 8 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10A-10C illustrate alternative base plate designs incorporated into a DSA suspension in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 10A-10C illustrate alternative base plate designs incorporated into a suspension in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the single-stage actuated suspension of FIG. 11 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 10A-10C illustrate a base plate design with rails on the load beam, according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A-10C illustrate a base plate design with rails on the load beam, according to an embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A-10C illustrate base plate designs with rails, according to embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The apparatus is described below. The apparatus may include a substrate and one or more sensors attached to the substrate. The one or more sensors may be attached to the substrate using an adhesive bonding material and one or more spot welds.

[0014] Current disk drive suspensions feature load beam shelves that increase the overall thickness of the load beam and base plate. This thickness can be a limiting factor for multi-platter drives with small disk space and can affect the shock resistance performance of the drive. Smaller disk space designs require a shorter distance from the E-block arm to the disk surface. Reducing the overall thickness of the suspension near the swaged area can increase the clearance to the disk surface. As a result, improved designs and manufacturing processes are described herein.

[0015] 1 illustrates a hard disk drive assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the hard disk drive assembly 100 may include a rotating magnetic disk 101 having a pattern of magnetic ones and zeros that constitute data stored on the disk drive. The magnetic disk is driven by a drive motor.

[0016] The disk drive unit 100 may further include a disk drive suspension 105 to which a magnetic head slider 110 is attached near a distal end of the load beam 107. The suspension 105 may be coupled to an actuator arm 103, which is coupled to a voice coil motor 112 that moves the suspension 105 in an arc to position the head 110 over the correct data track on the data disk 101. The magnetic head slider 110 is supported on a gimbal that allows the slider 110 to pitch and roll to follow the data track on the disk. Supporting the magnetic head slider 110 on a gimbal also compensates for variations in disk vibrations, inertial events such as collisions, and disk surface irregularities.

[0017] 2 is a perspective view of a suspension 105 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The suspension 105 may include a base plate 12 and a load beam 107. The suspension 105 may also include one or two PZT actuators, such as milliactuator 14, attached to the base plate 12 and the load beam 107. Extension and contraction of an actuator, such as milliactuator 14, causes the load beam 107 of the suspension 105 to move, and more specifically, the entire suspension 105 to rotate. As shown, the load beam 107 may include a spring or hinge portion 108, a beam portion 106, and a flexure gimbal assembly 36 to which a head slider carrying a read / write transducer head is attached at the distal end of the beam portion.

[0018] The suspension 105 may be a DSA suspension configured as a milli-DSA suspension or a micro-DSA suspension. A milli-DSA suspension is configured with an actuator, such as a milli-actuator, attached to a base plate. A micro-DSA suspension is configured with one or more actuators, such as a micro-actuator, attached to a flexure gimbal assembly. The suspension 105 may also be configured as a triple-actuator suspension. A triple-actuated suspension includes a milli-actuator attached to a base plate and one or more micro-actuators attached to a flexure gimbal assembly.

[0019] The read / write head writes data to and reads data from a data medium, which may be a rotating magnetic disk drive or, in some cases, optical media in an optical disk drive. Base plate 12 may include a mounting portion 21 that is attached to actuator arm 103 via swage hub 28 and a distal tip 20 to which hinge 108 is typically spot welded. Hinge 108 may be integrally formed with beam portion 106 of load beam 107. Load beam 107 may include hinge 108. In another embodiment, hinge 108 and beam portion 106 may be formed separately and then welded. Several structural variations are possible from the general configuration shown in FIG. 2 .

[0020] 3 is a side view of the suspension of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base plate 12 may be die-cut or otherwise cut in a metal cutting operation from a relatively thick stainless steel plate. In contrast, the hinges 108, beam section 106, and stainless steel sections of the flexure gimbal assembly 36 may be etched from a thinner sheet of stainless steel. An actuator, such as the milliactuator 14, may be attached to the suspension 105 using an adhesive 16, including a non-conductive and / or conductive adhesive configured to provide an electrical connection to the actuator, such as the milliactuator 14.

[0021] An actuator, such as the milliactuator 14, is positioned in a push-pull fashion within a protruding portion of the beam portion 106 that forms the microactuator mounting area. The microactuator mounting area includes a microactuator mounting shelf 18. An actuator, such as the milliactuator 14, may be mounted on the microactuator mounting shelf 18, but this requires the load beam 107 to extend partially along the length of the base plate 12. The microactuator mounting shelf 18 increases the overall thickness T1 of the load beam 107 and base plate 12. This thickness can be a limiting factor for multi-platter drives with small disk space and can affect the drive's shock performance. Smaller disk space designs require a shorter distance from the E-block arm to the disk surface. Reducing the overall thickness T1 of the suspension 105 near the swaged region (at the actuator arm 103) can increase the clearance to the disk surface.

[0022] 4 illustrates a design of base plate 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Base plate 9 may include left and right mounting areas 21 for PZT actuators, such as milliactuator 14 (shown in FIG. 1). Microactuator mounting area 21 includes microactuator mounting shelves 48 and 49 integrally formed with base plate 9, such as by etching or stamping. Microactuator mounting area 21 may include a distal suspension portion 50 and a proximal suspension portion 51.

[0023] 5 illustrates the base plate 9 of FIG. 4 incorporated into a DSA suspension 105, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "proximal" simply refers to the portion of the suspension 105 proximal to the microactuator, i.e., closer to the swage hub 28 where the suspension 105 attaches to the actuator arm. Similarly, the term "distal" simply refers to the portion of the suspension distal to the microactuator, i.e., closer to the far end of the suspension 105 where the flexure gimbal assembly 36 attaches to the suspension 105.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the distal portion 50 may be connected to a hinge 108 or spring 109 that supports a load beam 107. The base plate 9 may also include a recessed surface 29 near the proximal portion, defined by the base plate support 27. The base plate support 27 provides stiffness to the base plate 9. The recessed surface 29 may reduce the overall thickness of the suspension 105 at the swage hub 28, thereby increasing clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the recessed surface 29 may correspond to the actuator arm contour defined by the base plate support 27. Furthermore, by having a reduced-thickness region around the swage hub 28 corresponding to the actuator arm contour, the overall thickness can be reduced without affecting the stiffness of the base plate 9. In this case, clearance to the disk surface near the swage hub 28 can be increased.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a side view of the suspension 105 of FIG. 5 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The distal portion 50 of the base plate 9 may include an etched surface configured to engage the spring 109 of the load beam 107. The microactuator mounting shelf 49 may include an engagement element 41 configured to abut the spring 109 of the load beam 107. As a result, the load beam 107 does not extend along the length of the base plate 9 as compared to FIG. 3. The microactuator mounting shelves 48 and 49 reduce the overall thickness T2 of the load beam 107 and base plate 9. This eliminates the need for additional support from the load beam 107 and reduces the overall thickness as compared to T1 of FIG. 3.

[0026] 7 illustrates another base plate 13 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base plate 13 may include left and right mounting areas 21 for PZT actuators. Each actuator mounting area 21 may include an actuator mounting shelf 48. The actuator mounting shelves 48 may be integrally formed with the base plate 13 by etching or stamping. The actuator mounting area 21 may include a suspension distal portion 50 and a suspension proximal portion 51. As shown, the actuator mounting shelf 48 may extend from the proximal portion 51. The distal portion 50 may have a receiving space 17 in place of the mounting shelf 49 shown in FIG. 4.

[0027] 8 illustrates the base plate design of FIG. 7 incorporated into a suspension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The thickness of the distal portion 50 is less than the thickness of the proximal portion 51. The receiving space 17 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be configured to receive a portion of the load beam 107. When coupled to the load beam 107, the thickness of the spring 109 and distal portion 50 may be the same as or less than the thickness of the proximal portion 51. Alternatively, the thickness of the spring 109 and distal portion 50 may be the same as or slightly greater than the thickness of the proximal portion 51.

[0028] The distal portion 50 may be connected to a hinge 108 or spring 109 that supports the load beam 107. The spring 109 may extend into the actuator mounting region 21 to serve as a mounting shelf for the actuator, as shown in FIG. 2. The base plate 13 may also include a recessed surface 29 near the proximal portion, defined by the base plate support 27. The base plate support 27 provides rigidity to the base plate 13. The recessed surface 29 may reduce the overall thickness of the suspension at the swage hub 28, thereby increasing clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the recessed surface 29 may correspond to the contoured portion of the actuator arm defined by the base plate support 27. Furthermore, by having a reduced-thickness region around the swage hub 28 corresponding to the contoured portion of the actuator arm, the overall thickness can be reduced without affecting the rigidity of the base plate 13. In this case, the clearance to the disk surface near the swage hub 28 can be increased.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a side view of the DSA suspension of FIG. 8 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The distal portion 50 of the base plate 13 may include a receiving space 17 configured to engage with the spring 109 of the load beam 107. The spring 109 may extend into the actuator mounting region 21 and function as a mounting shelf opposite the actuator mounting shelf 48. As a result, the load beam 107 does not extend along the length of the base plate 13, as compared to FIG. 3. By connecting the base plate 13 and the load beam 107 through the receiving space 17, the overall thickness T3 of the load beam 107 and the base plate 13 is reduced. Therefore, additional support from the load beam 107 can be eliminated and the overall thickness can be reduced.

[0030] FIG. 10 illustrates another base plate 15 incorporated into a suspension according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8, the distal portion 50 may be connected to a spring 109 supporting a load beam 107. The base plate 15 may also include a recessed surface 30 near the proximal portion, defined by a partial base plate support 27. The partial base plate support 27 is asymmetric. The base plate support 27 provides stiffness to one side of the base plate 15. The recessed surface 30 may reduce the overall thickness of the suspension at the swage hub 28, thereby increasing clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the recessed surface 30 may correspond to the actuator arm contour defined by the partial base plate support 27. Furthermore, by having a reduced-thickness region around the swage hub 28 corresponding to the actuator arm contour, the overall thickness can be reduced without affecting the stiffness of the base plate 15. In this case, clearance to the disk surface near the swage hub 28 can be increased.

[0031] The above embodiments relate to a suspension in which an actuator is disposed on the suspension to perform fine arcuate movement of the head slider. The disclosed embodiments may be implemented in a single-stage actuation disk drive, a two-stage actuation disk drive, a three-stage actuation disk drive, or other types of disk drives that include only a voice coil motor.

[0032] 11 illustrates another embodiment of a base plate 11 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "proximal portion 54" simply refers to the portion of the base plate 11 that is closer to the swage hub 28 where the suspension attaches to the actuator arm. Similarly, the term "distal portion 53" simply refers to the portion of the suspension that is closer to where the load beam 107 attaches to the base plate 11.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the distal portion 53 may be connected to a hinge 108 or spring 109 that supports a load beam 107. The base plate 11 may include a recessed surface 31 near the proximal portion 54, defined by the base plate support 27. The base plate support 27 provides rigidity to the base plate 11. The recessed surface 31 may reduce the overall thickness of the base plate 11 at the swage hub 28, thereby increasing clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the recessed surface 31 may correspond to the actuator arm contour defined by the base plate support 27. Furthermore, by having a reduced-thickness region around the swage hub 28 corresponding to the actuator arm contour, the overall thickness can be reduced without affecting the rigidity of the base plate 11. In this case, clearance to the disk surface near the swage hub 28 can be increased.

[0034] 12 is a side view of the single-stage actuation suspension of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The distal portion 53 of the base plate 13 may include a receiving space 17 configured to engage with the spring 109 of the load beam 107. Compared to FIG. 3, the spring 109 may extend partially along the length of the base plate 11. By connecting the base plate 11 and the load beam 107 through the receiving space 17, the overall thickness T4 of the load beam 107 and the base plate 11 is reduced. Therefore, additional support from the load beam 107 can be eliminated, and the overall thickness can be reduced.

[0035] FIG. 13 illustrates a base plate design with rails on the load beam, according to embodiments. As used herein, the term "proximal portion 254" simply refers to the portion of the base plate 211 closer to the swage hub 228 where the suspension attaches to the actuator arm. Similarly, the term "distal portion 253" simply refers to the portion of the suspension closer to where the load beam 207 extends from the base plate 211. The load beam 207, according to some embodiments, extends toward the proximal portion 254 of the base plate 211. At least a portion of the load beam 207 is disposed below the base plate 211. The base plate 211 also includes rails 205 that extend beyond the sides of the base plate 211 and above the top surface 213 of the base plate 211. According to some embodiments, the rails 205 are formed adjacent each side 215 of the base plate 211. In some embodiments, rails 205 are formed on the load beam 207 adjacent each side 215 of the base plate 211 for a portion of each side 215 of the base plate 211. The rails 205 are configured to increase the bending stiffness of the base plate 211.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the distal portion 253 may be connected to a hinge 208 or spring 209 that supports the load beam 207. The base plate 211 may include a recessed surface 231, as described herein, near the proximal portion 254, defined by a base plate support 227, as described herein. The base plate support 227 provides rigidity to the base plate 211. The recessed surface 231 is configured to reduce the overall thickness of the base plate 211 at the swage hub 228, thereby increasing clearance to the disk surface. The shape of the recessed surface 231, according to some embodiments, is configured to correspond to the actuator arm contour defined by the base plate support 227. Furthermore, by having a reduced-thickness region around the swage hub 228 corresponding to the actuator arm contour, the overall thickness can be reduced without affecting the rigidity of the base plate 211. In this case, clearance to the disk surface can be increased near the swage hub 228. In some embodiments, the base plate support portion 227 and the recessed portion 231 have the same thickness.

[0037] 14 illustrates a base plate design with rails on the load beam, according to embodiments. The load beam 307, according to some embodiments, extends toward the proximal portion 354 of the base plate 311 as described herein. At least a portion of the load beam 307 is disposed below the base plate 311. The base plate 311 also includes rails 305 that extend beyond the sides of the base plate 311 and above the top surface 313 of the base plate 311.

[0038] According to some embodiments, a rail 305 is formed adjacent each side 315 of the base plate 311 as described herein. In some embodiments, the rail 305 is formed adjacent each side 315 of the base plate 311 for a portion of each side 315 of the base plate 311. The rail 305 includes a flange 317. According to some embodiments, the flange 317 is configured as a surface extending away from the rail 305. In some embodiments, the flange 317 is configured as a surface extending away from the rail 305 and the base plate 311. In some embodiments, the flange is configured such that the rail 305, including the flange 317, is formed in the approximate shape of an upside-down capital L. According to some embodiments, the flange 317 extends the entire length of the rail 305. In other embodiments, the flange 317 extends along a portion of the rail 305. The rail 305 with the flange 317 is configured to increase the bending stiffness of the base plate 311. Flange 317 allows for the avoidance of less desirable high rails during swaging or head stack assembly processes. In an exemplary embodiment, distal portion 353 may be connected to a hinge or spring that supports load beam 307 using techniques including those described herein.

[0039] FIG. 15 illustrates a base plate design with rails on the load beam, according to embodiments. As used herein, the term "proximal portion 454" simply refers to the portion of the base plate 411 of the suspension 410 as described herein that is closer to the swage hub 428 where the suspension attaches to the actuator arm. Similarly, the term "distal portion 453" simply refers to the portion of the suspension 410 that is closer to where the load beam 407 extends from the base plate 411. The load beam 407, according to some embodiments, extends toward the proximal portion 454 of the base plate 411. At least a portion of the base plate 411 includes rails 405 and extends above the top surface 413 of the base plate 411. According to some embodiments, the rails 405 are formed in the base plate along each side 415 of the base plate 411. In some embodiments, the rails 405 are formed along a portion of each side 415 of the base plate 411. The rails 405 are configured to increase the bending stiffness of the base plate 411. In some embodiments, the rail 405 includes a flange as described herein.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the distal portion 453 may be connected to a hinge 408 or spring 409 that supports the load beam 407. The base plate 411 may include a recessed surface, as described herein, near the proximal portion 454, defined by a base plate support, as described herein. In some embodiments, the base plate support and the recessed portion have the same thickness, as described herein.

[0041] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example, not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in arrangement and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Indeed, after reading the above description, it will become apparent to those skilled in the art how to implement alternative embodiments. For example, other steps may be provided or steps may be removed from the described flows. Also, other components may be added to or removed from the described systems. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

[0042] Additionally, it should be understood that any diagrams illustrating functionality and effects are presented for illustrative purposes only, and that each of the disclosed methods and systems is sufficiently flexible and configurable so that it can be utilized in ways other than those shown.

[0043] The term "one or more" may often be used in the specification, claims, and drawings, but terms such as "a," "an," "the," "said," etc. also refer to "one or more" in the specification, claims, and drawings.

Claims

1. 1. A base plate for a disk drive suspension, comprising: a receiving space at a distal end configured to engage a spring of a load beam, the receiving space extending partially along the length of the base plate; a swage hub at a proximal end opposite the distal end; a recessed surface surrounding the swage hub, the recessed surface being at least partially defined by a base plate support; The recessed surface of the base plate has a shape corresponding to the actuator arm contour defined by the base plate support.

2. 10. The base plate of claim 1, comprising a left mounting region and a right mounting region at the distal end, each mounting region including one or more mounting shelves extending from the base plate and configured to receive an actuator.

3. The base plate of claim 2 configured for use with a two-stage actuated suspension.

4. The base plate of claim 2 , wherein an actuator mounting shelf closer to the distal end includes an engagement element configured to abut the spring of the load beam.

5. The base plate of claim 2 , wherein each mounting region includes a portion of the spring that extends into the mounting region to act as a mounting shelf for the actuator.

6. The base plate of claim 1 configured for use with a three-stage actuated suspension.

7. The base plate of claim 1 , wherein the receiving space includes an etched surface configured to engage the spring of the load beam.

8. The baseplate of claim 1 , wherein the baseplate support is asymmetric.

9. The base plate of claim 1 , wherein the base plate support is symmetrical.

10. The base plate of claim 1 comprising a first rail and a second rail.

11. The base plate of claim 10 , wherein the first rail and the second rail are formed on the base plate and extend along at least a portion of the base plate.

12. The base plate of claim 10 , wherein the first rail and the second rail are formed on the load beam and extend along at least a portion of the base plate.

13. The base plate of claim 10 , wherein the first rail and the second rail each include a flange.

14. 1. A disk drive suspension comprising: a load beam including a spring; a base plate coupled to the spring of the load beam, the base plate comprising: a receiving space at a distal end configured to engage the spring of the load beam, the receiving space extending partially longitudinally of the base plate; a swage hub at a proximal end opposite the distal end; a recessed surface surrounding the swage hub, the recessed surface being at least partially defined by a base plate support; The disk drive suspension, wherein the recessed surface has a shape corresponding to an actuator arm contour defined by the base plate support.

15. 15. The disk drive suspension of claim 14, comprising a left mounting region and a right mounting region at the distal end, each mounting region including one or more mounting shelves extending from the base plate and configured to receive an actuator.

16. 16. The disk drive suspension of claim 15, configured for use with a two-stage actuation suspension.

17. 16. The disk drive suspension of claim 15, wherein an actuator mounting shelf closer to the distal end includes an engagement element configured to abut the spring of the load beam.

18. 16. The disk drive suspension of claim 15, wherein each mounting region includes a portion of the spring that extends into the mounting region to act as a mounting shelf for the actuator.

19. 15. The disk drive suspension of claim 14, configured for use with a three-stage actuation suspension.

20. The disk drive suspension of claim 14 , wherein the receiving space includes an etched surface configured to engage the spring of the load beam.

21. The disk drive suspension of claim 14 , wherein the base plate support is asymmetric.

22. The disk drive suspension of claim 14 , wherein the base plate support is symmetrical.

23. The disk drive suspension of claim 14 comprising a first rail and a second rail.

24. 24. The disk drive suspension of claim 23, wherein the first rail and the second rail are formed on the base plate and extend along at least a portion of the base plate.

25. 24. The disk drive suspension of claim 23, wherein the first rail and the second rail are formed on the load beam and extend along at least a portion of the base plate.

26. 24. The disk drive suspension of claim 23, wherein the first rail and the second rail each include a flange.

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