Patent ID: 6796018
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming a slider/suspension assembly for use in a data storage system, comprising:forming a plurality of adjacently disposed sliders on a wafer, wherein the sliders are positioned in such a manner that trailing edge surfaces of the sliders form a front side of the wafer, and leading edge surfaces of the sliders form a backside of the wafer; forming a plurality of thin film data transducing elements and a plurality of electrical contact pads on the wafer front side; metallizing the backside of the wafer so as to metallize the sliders leading edge surfaces while the sliders are on the wafer; dicing the wafer into a plurality of individual sliders; positioning a backside of each of a plurality of sliders directly against a corresponding flexure; and applying a solder fillet bond to a leading edge surface of each of the plurality of sliders, wherein the solder filler flows between the slider leading edge surface and the flexure when heated to form a rigid mechanical connection of the slider to the flexure, while enabling the slider to be separated from the flexure on demand.