Patent ID: 8070907
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: B23K,G11B

Abstract:
1. A jointing method for obtaining a disk drive suspension by fixing a plurality of components together at: (i) a first fixing portion configured to fix an overlapping portion of an end portion of a load beam and an end portion of a hinge member which is thinner than the load beam and which has a flexible portion which is elastically bendable in a thickness direction, and (ii) a second fixing portion configured to fix an overlapping portion of a proximal portion of the hinge member and a base plate, the second fixing portion being positioned separately from the first fixing portion, said method comprising: supplying a thermosetting adhesive agent to the first fixing portion; holding the elastic hinge member and the load beam in a predetermined position with a positioning jig including a presser member which has a through hole situated to correspond to the first fixing portion, such that the hinge member and the load beam overlap in a state in which the elastic hinge member, together with the adhesive agent, is clamped between a portion around the through hole of the presser member and the load beam; applying a defocused first laser beam through the through hole to the hinge member in a state in which the hinge member is pressed by the portion around the through hole of the presser member; performing a primary curing operation of tacking the hinge member and the load beam with the thermosetting adhesive agent by the defocused first laser beam to the first fixing portion during a first time using a first laser head controlled by a controller, so as to heat and cure the thermosetting adhesive agent supplied to the first fixing portion; laser welding the second fixing portion by applying a converged second laser beam to the second fixing portion using a second laser head, which is controlled by the controller, so as to weld the proximal portion of the hinge member and the base plate; and fully curing the suspension having the first fixing portion which is tacked and the second fixing portion which is laser welded, by storing said suspension in a heating oven after the primary curing operation and the laser welding are performed for the suspension, and heating the thermosetting adhesive agent with the heating oven during a second time so as to perform secondary curing of the thermosetting adhesive agent.