Magnetic Head Slider Row Bar Positioning Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic head slider testing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently and accurately positioning long and narrow rectangular row bars with aligned head sliders onto a testing stage, leading to prolonged handling times and reduced throughput due to the complexity and inaccuracy of current positioning mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic head slider testing apparatus featuring a tray with a step portion and a transfer mechanism using hooks to accurately position row bars on a testing stage, allowing for efficient and precise alignment in three axial directions without the need for additional positioning mechanisms, thereby shortening handling time and enhancing testing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handling robot is used to transfer row bars to the testing stage, then the testing can be performed under assembled condition, but the positioning accuracy of row bars becomes insufficient and handling time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning mechanism with positioning pins and positioning grooves as an intermediary between the handling robot and the row bar. The positioning pins insert into corresponding grooves on the row bar to provide precise positioning, while the handling robot performs the transfer operation. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling both automated handling and high positioning accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If positioning processing through butting is performed while holding the row bar, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but the handling time is significantly prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the positioning pins in the positioning mechanism before the row bar is transferred. The positioning grooves are pre-formed on the row bar. When the row bar is transferred, the pre-positioned pins automatically engage with the grooves, eliminating the need for time-consuming butting operations during handling. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high positioning accuracy without prolonged handling time.
3Reliability
If the connection terminals are not surely contacted with the probe, then the testing cannot be performed successfully, but the positioning mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the self-aligning positioning mechanism. The positioning pins automatically engage with the positioning grooves on the row bar, and the row bar's connection terminals automatically align with the probes. This self-aligning feature ensures reliable contact without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or additional alignment devices, thus achieving high testing success rate with a relatively simple positioning mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables efficient and accurate positioning of row bars on the testing stage, reducing handling time and improving the overall throughput of magnetic head slider testing by allowing for precise alignment in multiple axes, ensuring reliable contact of connection terminals with probes and facilitating effective electrical characteristic testing.
Implementation Method 1
a reproducing characteristic measuring portion (7) which measures a reproducing characteristic of the MR head by utilizing a change in magnetic flux density which occurs when a magnetic writing head writes a magnetic signal on a magnetic recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
A step portion for mounting a row bar is provided at a table stepping down from the face of the table, and by lowering a pair of hooks crossing over the step portion in its width direction, a row bar held by the hooks is mounted on the step portion. While interposing the row bar mounted on the step portion between a pair of hooks and a side face of the step portion, the side in longitudinal direction of the row bar and the bottom face thereof are butted to the bottom face and the standing up side face of the step portion to position two axes of the row bar among XYZ directions, successively, positioning of the row bar in one remaining direction along longitudinal direction of the row bar mounted on the step portion is performed by moving the table in the one remaining axial direction.