Trigger Reader Electronic Lapping Guide for Magnetic Head Stripe Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard disc drive manufacturing processes face challenges in precisely controlling the flying height of read/write heads due to variability in dimensions, materials, and topography, which affects data density and storage capacity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating trigger devices and electronic lapping guides on a row bar with multi-layer stacks, where the trigger devices and lapping guides are positioned at different distances from the air bearing surface, allowing for real-time resistance measurement to calibrate and adjust the lapping process, thereby improving edge-to-edge placement accuracy and reducing stripe height variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional lapping methods are used without trigger devices and electronic lapping guides, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the manufacturing precision of stripe height and edge-to-edge placement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the electrical resistance of electronic lapping guides and trigger devices during the lapping process. The resistance measurements provide real-time information about the lapping progress and material removal rate, allowing the system to automatically adjust lapping parameters and compensate for variations in stock dimensions, materials, and topography to maintain precise stripe height control throughout the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement and control methods with electronic sensing systems. Instead of using mechanical gauges or manual measurement techniques to monitor stripe height and lapping progress, the system uses electronic lapping guides and trigger devices with electrical resistance measurements to detect and control the lapping process, thereby improving precision while reducing mechanical complexity.
2Measurement precision
If trigger devices and electronic lapping guides are added to the row bar, then the manufacturing precision and control accuracy improve, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The electronic lapping guides and trigger devices are combined with the row bar structure, and multiple measurement functions are integrated into single devices. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining high measurement precision for edge-to-edge placement control.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic lapping guides and trigger devices serve multiple functions: they act as both measurement sensors for resistance monitoring and as structural components of the row bar. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining enhanced measurement capabilities for placement accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time resistance measurement is implemented during lapping, then the manufacturing precision and process control improve, but the use of energy and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous resistance measurement throughout the lapping process, allowing real-time monitoring and adjustment of lapping parameters. This continuous feedback enables the system to maintain optimal lapping conditions throughout the entire process, preventing deviations in stripe height and reducing the need for rework or scrap, thereby improving overall manufacturing precision while minimizing time losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts lapping parameters such as pressure, speed, and material removal rate based on real-time resistance measurements. By changing these parameters adaptively during the lapping process, the system maintains precise control over stripe height variations and optimizes the lapping duration, reducing unnecessary processing time while ensuring high manufacturing precision.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of the lapping process, leading to improved data density and storage capacity by precisely controlling the stripe height of read/write heads, ensuring consistent performance and increased manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the electrical resistance of the at least one electronic lapping guide and the at least one trigger device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a magnetic read-write head, including the steps of presenting a row bar to a processing location, the row bar including an air bearing surface, at least one read-write head, at least one electronic lapping guide, and at least one trigger device, wherein each electronic lapping guide is positioned at a different distance from the air bearing surface than each trigger device, and wherein the read-write head and at least one of the trigger devices include a multi-layer stack of materials; lapping the air bearing surface while measuring the electrical resistance of at least one electronic lapping guide and at least one trigger device until the resistance measurement of the trigger device provides an open circuit reading, and measuring an offset resistance value of the at least one electronic lapping guide concurrently with the measurement of the open circuit reading by the trigger device.