Patent ID: 6229664
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
A head-disk interface tester for magnetic recording disk drives comprising:a base;a spindle motor mounted on the base;a movable clamp for clamping a magnetic recording disk to the spindle motor;a rotary voice coil motor (VCM) actuator assembly comprising a fixed magnet assembly, an actuator arm rotatable about a pivot axis, the arm having an electrical coil on one end for movement through the magnetic field of the magnet assembly and a platform on the other end for mounting a magnetic recording head;an adjustable actuator support for supporting the VCM actuator assembly and for locating it in a desired position along a line perpendicular to the plane of the disk;an adjustable actuator stage for holding the actuator support and for locating it along a line parallel to the plane of the disk, the adjustable actuator support and actuator stage permitting positioning of the actuator pivot axis relative to the axis of rotation of the spindle motor to represent the head-disk interface of the disk drive to be tested;a diode laser for directing a laser beam that rotates as the actuator arm rotates;a detector fixed relative to the base for detecting the laser beam; andcontrol circuitry responsive to the output of the detector for supplying electrical current to the coil on the end of the actuator arm to thereby move the head in a desired mode across the disk.