Patent ID: 7262938
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: G11B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a disk drive that comprises a first data storage disk and a slider, wherein said slider comprises a central, longitudinal reference axis and a shock pad system, wherein said shock pad system comprises at least one shock pad, wherein an entirety of each said shock pad of said shock pad system is spaced from said central, longitudinal reference axis, and wherein said shock pad has a hardness of less than about 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, and wherein said method comprises the steps of: flying said slider above said first data storage disk such that an entirety of said slider is in spaced relation to said first data storage disk; directing said slider toward said first data storage disk during said flying step; contacting said slider against said first data storage disk based upon said directing step; limiting contact between said slider and said first data storage disk from said contacting step to said shock pad system; and burnishing said at least one shock pad using said first data storage disk and without removing any substantial portion of said first data storage disk during said contacting step.