Patent Publication Number: US-7213433-B2

Title: Method for adjusting a head suspension parameter

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/989,977, filed Nov. 16, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,097, entitled METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A HEAD SUSPENSION PARAMETER, which is a divisional of Application No. 09/500,592, filed Feb. 10, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,837,092, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to a method for adjusting a parameter of a head suspension through the application of heat to the head suspension. In particular, the present invention is a method for adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension by scanning with a laser beam a plurality of lines in a desired region of the head suspension. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Head suspensions are well known and commonly used within dynamic magnetic or optical information storage devices or drives with rigid disks. The head suspension is a component within the disk drive that positions a magnetic or optical read/write head over a desired position on the storage media where information is to be retrieved (read) or transferred (written). Head suspensions for use in rigid disk drives typically include a load beam that generates a spring force and that supports a flexure to which a head slider having a read/write head is to be mounted. The load beam includes a mounting region at a proximal end, a rigid region at a distal end, and a spring region between the rigid region and the mounting region for providing the spring force. Head suspensions are normally combined with an actuator arm or E-block to which the mounting region of the load beam is mounted with a base plate so as to position (by linear or rotary movement) the head suspension, and thus the head slider and read/write head, with respect to data tracks of the rigid disk. 
   The rigid disk within a disk drive rapidly spins about an axis, and the head slider is aerodynamically designed to “fly” on an air bearing generated by the spinning disk. The spring force (often referred to as the “gram load”) generated by the load beam urges the head slider in a direction opposing the force generated by the air bearing. The point at which these two forces are balanced during operation is the “fly height” of the head slider. 
   The flexure typically includes a slider bond pad to which a head slider is attached. The flexure attached to the load beam provides a resilient connection between the slider and the load beam, and permits pitch and roll motion of the head slider and read/write head as they move over the data tracks of the disk in response to fluctuations in the air bearing caused by fluctuations in the surface of the rigid disk. Head suspension flexures can be provided in numerous ways, including designs in which the load beam and flexure are formed integrally with one another (a two-piece design comprising the base plate and the integral load beam/flexure) and designs in which the flexure is a separate piece from the load beam (a three-piece design comprising the base plate, the load beam and the separate flexure). One three-piece design includes a flexure having a resilient tongue and two resilient spring arms. The head slider is supported on the resilient tongue (i.e. the slider bond pad), which is in turn supported between the spring arms. The spring arms are connected to a flexure mounting region, which is in turn connected to the load beam. The gram load provided by the spring region of the load beam is transferred to the flexure via a dimple that extends between the rigid region of the load beam and the flexure. The spring arms allow the tongue of the flexure to gimbal in pitch and roll directions to accommodate surface variations in the spinning magnetic disk over which the slider is flying. The roll axis about which the head slider gimbals is a central longitudinal axis of the head suspension. The pitch axis about which the head slider gimbals is perpendicular to the roll axis. That is, the pitch axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the load beam, and crosses the roll axis at or around the head slider. 
   In order to store and retrieve data from magnetic or optical disks on which data is densely packed, it is necessary for the head slider to fly closely above the surface of the spinning data disk (on the order of 0.1 μm) without colliding with the disk (“crashing”). Further, because of the dense packing of data on magnetic or optical disks, it is important for the read/write head attached to the head slider to be able to read from or write to a relatively small area or spot on the disk. 
   In relation to this, important performance characteristics of a head suspension include the fly height at which the head suspension positions a head slider and the positional orientation of the head slider in relation to the spinning data disk when the head suspension is in a “loaded” state (i.e. under the influence of the balanced forces created by the spring force and the air bearing). The head slider is designed to fly at a predetermined orientation, typically with its bottom surface or a portion thereof arranged generally parallel with the surface of the disk, and this orientation is often referred to as the “dynamic attitude”. 
   When the head suspension is not actually flying over a spinning disk, the loaded state of the head suspension can be simulated by applying a force in the same direction as the air bearing force at a point on the head suspension other than to the slider bond pad where the head slider would be attached (or, if the slider is attached, other than to the head slider). This force is applied to lift the slider bond pad to its loaded position at the fly height. The orientation or attitude of the slider bond pad under this simulated loaded state is referred to as “static attitude.” The difference or bias between the dynamic attitude and the static attitude can be measured for a given head suspension so that a measurement of the static attitude, which can be an easier measurement to make than dynamic attitude, can be used to determine dynamic attitude for a given head suspension. In other words, a head suspension typically has a predetermined static attitude that can be used to assess the dynamic attitude of a head slider attached to the head suspension during normal operation of a disk drive. 
   Static attitude of a head slider bond pad can be measured with reference to pitch and roll axes of the head suspension. Roll is a rotation of the slider bond pad about the roll axis of the head suspension and pitch is a rotation of the slider bond pad about the pitch axis of the head suspension. Deviations from the desired static attitude about the roll axis can be referred to as roll errors, while deviations from the desired head slider attitude about the pitch axis can be referred to as pitch errors. Pitch and roll errors in static attitude can be caused by manufacturing variations of the head suspension, handling of the head suspension and related components during and after manufacturing, or contamination of the head suspension by airborne foreign matter. 
   If pitch and/or roll errors exist in the static attitude of a head suspension, there is a greater possibility that errors will exist in the dynamic attitude of the head slider, and that the head slider might crash into the disk. Such crashes are generally undesirable. Further, errors in static attitude of the head slider can cause the read/write head to be out of proper orientation to the surface of the disk or further from the disk surface than it is designed to be. As such, the read/write head may not be able to “focus” on as small an area or spot on the disk as is necessary to efficiently transfer data to or from the disk. This can degrade disk drive performance. 
   In addition, it may be desirable to adjust the static attitude of a head suspension from a nominal orientation to impart a desired pitch and/or roll bias into the head suspension. In so far as these biases represent incremental changes in pitch and roll static attitude imparted to the head suspension, these too can be viewed as pitch and roll corrections, and the differences between nominal and desired attitude can again be referred to as pitch and roll errors. 
   Because of the importance of correct head slider attitude, various methods exist for correcting pitch and roll errors to obtain appropriate static attitude. Such methods are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,780, issued Nov. 4, 1997 to Girard for “Gram Load, Static Attitude And Radius Geometry Adjusting System For Magnetic Head Suspensions”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,590, issued Mar. 4, 1997 for “Gimballing Flexure With Static Compensation And Load Point Integral Etched Features”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,889 issued Mar. 24, 1998 for “Method Of Mounting a Head Slider To a Head Suspension With Static Offset Compensation”. Each of these applications and patents are commonly owned by the assignee of the present application and are fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
   One method of correcting errors in the static attitude involves mechanically twisting and/or bending the head suspension to alter the profile of the load beam. In such a method, the profile of the load beam can be altered to support the flexure at an attitude to the disk surface that compensates for any errors in the static attitude of the head suspension. That is, the load beam can be bent about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the load beam to account for pitch errors in the static attitude of the head suspension. The load beam can also be twisted about its longitudinal axis to account for roll errors in the static attitude. Similarly, the flexure can be mechanically bent and twisted to try to correct static attitude errors. 
   Adjusting the head suspension in this way, however, can negatively affect other head suspension parameters, such as the fly height, gram load, and overall resonance profile of the head suspension. In particular, bending the head suspension to affect pitch static attitude also affects gram load, resonance, and head lift height, while twisting the head suspension to correct roll static attitude affects head suspension resonance and introduces vibratory motion in the off-track direction, which can negatively impact disk drive performance. Such mechanical adjustments can also be undesirable due to the amount of forming required to get an appropriate adjustment in static attitude. Moreover, it can be difficult to properly mechanically deform head suspension components due to their relatively small size, which limits the size and operating room for tools used to perform the mechanical adjustments. 
   Further, it is known to form electrical leads on the load beam for carrying electronic read/write signals from the read/write head to data electronics. It can be difficult to mechanically alter the profile of the head suspension without adversely affecting the electrical leads. Electrical leads can also make it difficult to engage tooling with the suspension components to make a static attitude adjustment. 
   Mechanically adjusting head suspension static attitude can also be inefficient in terms of the precision with which static attitude can be corrected, and in the cycle time it takes to correct the static attitude of an individual head suspension. It is a general industry trend to more densely pack information onto a magnetic disk so as to be able to make disk drives smaller without impacting the amount of data that can be stored in the drive. This necessitates smaller disk drive components, including smaller head suspensions. As data density increases and head suspension size decreases, it becomes increasingly important that the head slider be at the desired attitude when at the fly height, and acceptable tolerances on head suspension static attitude are reduced. Current methods for correcting deviations in static attitude thus may not provide sufficiently fine corrections to account for decreased static attitude tolerances. This can be particularly true when the static attitude correction occurs in individual components of the head suspension prior to mounting them together, since additional errors may be introduced in the mounting process. 
   Moreover, the conventional static attitude adjustment methods described above are typically performed along with head suspension load beam adjustments to gram load, and mixing the two adjustment processes can create longer feedback loops in the manufacturing process, which increases part cycle time. Mixing the two adjustment processes can also lead to less accurate static attitude adjustments, which negatively impacts part yield. 
   There is a continuing need to develop more efficient methods for correcting pitch and/or roll errors in head suspension static attitude. A method that provides precise error corrections in a timely fashion, and that can be achieved without significant impact on other performance criteria of the head suspension is highly desirable. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is intended to overcome the shortcomings of conventional methods for adjusting performance characteristics of a head suspension, such as the static attitude of the head suspension. In this regard, the present invention provides a precision “micro-warping” technique for adjusting a head suspension parameter, such as pitch and roll static attitude. The micro-warping technique can provide sufficiently precise corrections to meet increasingly tight performance requirements on static attitude. The present invention can also be performed at relatively fast cycle times, and can provide corrections that have limited impact on other performance parameters of the head suspension. 
   The present invention is a method for adjusting a performance parameter of a head suspension, comprising the step of scanning a predetermined region of the head suspension with a laser beam. Scanning the predetermined region of the head suspension with the laser beam imparts heat to the region in a controlled manner, and thus adjusts the performance parameter of the head suspension. In a preferred embodiment, the static attitude of the head suspension is adjusted through the scanning of a first scan region located on the head suspension. The scan region can be located on a first spring arm of a head suspension flexure, and a second scan region can be located on a second spring arm of the flexure. A plurality of lines can be scanned in the first and second scan regions, with the lines being adjacent to each other and parallel to the transverse axis of the head suspension. In such an embodiment, the lines extend across the entire width of the first and second spring arms, and each line causes a discrete amount of micro-warping in the scan region to introduce a pitch bias to the static attitude. The first and second scan regions can be located on a top surface of the flexure, on a bottom surface of the flexure, or on a combination of one scan region on the top surface and the other scan region on the bottom surface. 
   In a second embodiment, a first scan region can be located on a cross piece of a head suspension flexure. The first scan region is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis of the head suspension in a first direction, and a second scan region can be located on the cross piece of the flexure spaced apart from the longitudinal axis in a second direction opposite from the first direction. A plurality of lines can be scanned in each of the first and second scan regions, with the plurality of lines being spaced apart from each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head suspension. The plurality of lines will cause the cross piece to warp in the scan region, which will twist the flexure and cause a roll bias in the static attitude of the head suspension. In such an embodiment scan regions can also be located on the spring arms of the flexure, with a plurality of lines scanned in the spring arm scan regions to effect a pitch bias in the static attitude. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention includes an iterative, closed loop process for providing precise adjustments to the static attitude of a head suspension. In such an embodiment, a coarse static attitude adjustment is performed by scanning a scan region of the head suspension with a laser beam. The static attitude provided by the head suspension after the coarse static attitude adjustment is performed is then measured and a fine static attitude adjustment is performed by scanning the scan region a second time with the laser beam. In a preferred embodiment, the step of performing the coarse static attitude adjustment includes determining pitch and roll errors between the desired static attitude and the measured static attitude of the head suspension, and determining the amount of scanning necessary to correct at least a portion of one of the pitch error and the roll error. The amount of scanning can be controlled by controlling the number of scan lines that are scanned in the head suspension. The amount of scanning, e.g. the number of scan lines, necessary to correct at least a portion of the other of the pitch error and the roll error can also be determined. Determining the number of scan lines necessary to correct the portion of the pitch and roll errors can be accomplished by referencing stored coarse adjustment data describing the relationship between angular deflection and the number of lines scanned in a head suspension region. In one embodiment, the portion of the pitch error and the roll error that are corrected by the coarse static attitude adjustment is greater than about eighty percent of the total pitch error and greater than about eighty percent of the total roll error between the desired static attitude and the measured static attitude. 
   The fine static attitude adjustment can be performed in a similar fashion, wherein the remaining pitch error and roll error between the desired static attitude and the static attitude provided by the head suspension after the coarse static attitude adjustment are first determined, and the amount of scanning necessary to compensate for one of the remaining pitch error and the remaining roll error is predicted. The prediction can be made by consulting stored fine adjustment data describing the relationship between the angular deflection and the number of scan lines scanned in the scan region of the head suspension. In one embodiment of this invention, a response factor is calculated after the coarse static attitude adjustment. The response factor comprises a ratio between the estimated angular deflection for the coarse static attitude adjustment and the measured static attitude adjustment. The number of scan lines for the fine static attitude adjustment can be upwardly or downwardly adjusted based upon the response factor. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top planar view of a disk drive having a head suspension assembly positioned over a magnetic disk. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the head suspension assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a portion of a head suspension flexure showing a plurality of lines scanned in the spring arms of the flexure in accordance with the present invention to effect pitch corrections in static attitude. 
       FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a portion of a flexure showing a plurality of lines scanned in the spring arms of the flexure to effect pitch corrections in static attitude and a plurality of lines scanned in the cross piece of the flexure to effect roll corrections in static attitude. 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a portion of a flexure showing a plurality of lines scanned in the spring arms of the flexure to effect pitch and roll corrections in static attitude. 
       FIG. 6   a  is a block diagram flow chart illustrating a closed loop, iterative process for providing a precise adjustment to static attitude in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a block diagram flow chart illustrating an additional step in the closed loop, iterative process of  FIG. 6   a.    
       FIG. 7  is a plot of a coarse adjustment to pitch static attitude showing angular deflection about a pitch axis as a function of the number of lines scanned on a bottom surface of a spring arm of a flexure. 
       FIG. 8  is a plot of a fine adjustment to pitch static attitude showing angular deflection about a pitch axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in the bottom surface of a spring arm after a coarse adjustment has already been made to the spring arm. 
       FIG. 9  is a plot of a coarse adjustment to pitch static attitude showing angular deflection about a pitch axis as a function of the number of lines scanned on a top surface of a spring arm of a flexure. 
       FIG. 10  is a plot of a fine adjustment to pitch static attitude showing angular deflection about a pitch axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in the top surface of a spring arm after a coarse adjustment to the spring arm has been made. 
       FIG. 11  is a plot of a coarse adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in a bottom right surface of a flexure cross piece. 
       FIG. 12  is a plot of a fine adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in a bottom right surface of a flexure cross piece after a coarse adjustment has been made to the flexure cross piece. 
       FIG. 13  is a plot of a coarse adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned on a bottom left surface of a flexure cross piece. 
       FIG. 14  is a plot of a fine adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned the bottom left surface of a flexure cross piece after a coarse adjustment has been made to the flexure cross piece. 
       FIG. 15  is a plot of a coarse adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in a top surface of a spring arm of a flexure. 
       FIG. 16  is a plot of a fine adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in a top surface of a flexure spring arm after a coarse adjustment to the flexure spring arm has been made. 
       FIG. 17  is a plot of a coarse adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in a bottom surface of a flexure spring arm. 
       FIG. 18  is a plot of a fine adjustment to roll static attitude showing angular deflection about a roll axis as a function of the number of lines scanned in the bottom surface of a flexure spring arm after a coarse adjustment has been made to the spring arm. 
       FIG. 19  is a planar view of a portion of a flexure showing one configuration of a trace assembly on the flexure useful in the present invention. 
       FIG. 20  is a planar view of a portion of a flexure showing an alternative trace assembly on the flexure useful in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 21  is a planar view of a portion of a flexure showing an alternative trace assembly on the flexure useful in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is a planar view of a portion of a two piece head suspension having a load beam and an integral flexure showing a plurality of lines scanned in the integral flexure in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 23  is an isometric view of an apparatus for measuring static attitude and scanning a plurality of lines in a head suspension with a laser beam to affect the static attitude of the head suspension in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   With reference now to the Figures, a disk drive  2  having a head suspension  10  suspended over a disk  4  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Head suspension  10  supports a head slider  22  at its distal end over the disk  4 . Head suspension  10  is attached at its proximal end to an actuator arm  8 , which is coupled to an actuator motor  6  mounted within disk drive  2 . Actuator motor  6  is used to position the actuator arm  8 , head suspension  10 , and slider  22  over a desired position on the disk  4 . In the embodiment shown, actuator motor  6  is rotary in nature, and operates to radially position the head suspension  10  and slider  22  over disk  4 . Other actuator motors, such as a linear actuator motor, can of course be used. 
   In use, head slider  22  reads and/or writes data to and from disk  4  in disk drive  2 , and the head suspension  10  supports and aligns the head slider  22  over a desired location on disk  4  in response to signals received from a microprocessor (not shown). Disk  4  rapidly spins about an axis, and an air bearing is created by rotating disk  4 . Head slider  22  is aerodynamically designed to “fly” on the air bearing between the surface of the disk  4  and the head slider  22 . As head slider  22  flies over the air bearing, it is urged away from the surface of the disk  4  by the air bearing. Head suspension  10  provides a gram load spring force that counteracts the force of the air bearing and urges the head slider  22  toward the surface of the disk  4 . The point at which these two forces are balanced during operation is known as the “fly height” of the head slider. The specific positional orientation of head slider  22  provided by head suspension  10  at the fly height in relation to the surface of the disk  4  is commonly referred to as the “dynamic attitude” of the head slider  22 . 
   As shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 , head suspension  10  is comprised of a plurality of separate components that are mounted together. Head suspension  10  includes a load beam  12  to which a flexure  40  is mounted. Load beam  12  includes a mounting region  13  at the proximal end of the load beam  12 , to which a base plate  14  is mounted. Mounting region  13  and base plate  14  are mounted to the actuator arm  8  of disk drive  2  in a known manner. Load beam  12  further includes a rigid region  24  at the distal portion of the load beam  12 , and a spring region  20  located proximal of the rigid region  24  and distal of the mounting region  13 . Flexure  40  (discussed more fully below) is mounted to the rigid region  24  of load beam  12 , and provides a resilient connection between the load beam  12  and head slider  22 . 
   Spring region  20  of load beam  12  provides a desired gram load that opposes the force exerted upon head slider  22  by the air bearing generated by rotating disk  4 . Toward this end, spring region  20  can include a preformed bend or radius that provides a precise gram load force. The gram load is transmitted to flexure  40  through rigid region  24  of load beam  12 . A load point dimple  9  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) that extends between the rigid region  24  and the flexure  40  can be used to provide a point of transfer for the gram load generated by spring region  20 . The load point dimple  9  also provides a point about which the head slider  22  attached to flexure  40  can gimbal in response to fluctuations in the air bearing. 
   Flexure  40  provides a resilient connection between head slider  22  and load beam  12 , and is designed to permit head slider  22  to gimbal in response to variations in the air bearing generated by rotating disk  4 . That is, minute variations in the surface of disk  4  will create fluctuations in the air bearing generated by the rotating disk  4 . These fluctuations in the air bearing will cause slider  22  to roll about a longitudinal axis  11  of head suspension  10 , and to pitch about a transverse axis  15 . Longitudinal axis  11  is defined to extend along the center line of head suspension  10  and through the load point  9 , while transverse axis  15  is defined to be orthogonal to axis  11  and intersect axis  11  at the load point between load beam  12  and flexure  40 . Flexure  40  is designed to permit the slider  22  to gimbal in both pitch and roll directions in response to these air bearing variations. In the embodiment shown, flexure  40  is separately formed from load beam  12  (i.e. head suspension  10  is a three-piece design comprising base plate  14 , load beam  12 , and flexure  40 ), and includes a mounting region  42  that overlaps and is mounted to the rigid region  24  of load beam  12  using spot welds or other known techniques. Flexure  40  also includes a gimbal region  44  that can extend beyond the distal end of load beam  12 , and that provides the resilient compliances that permit slider  22  to gimbal in pitch and roll directions. The gimbal region  44  is comprised of a pair of longitudinally extending spring arms  30  that are connected at the distal end of the arms  30  by a cross piece  28 . The longitudinally extending spring arms  30  and cross piece  28  define a gap between the spring arms into which a tongue or cantilever beam  26  proximally extends from cross piece  28 . Cantilever beam  26  includes a slider mounting surface  27  to which slider  22  is mounted using known methods such as adhesive. The cantilever beam  26  and spring arms  30  are sufficiently resilient to pitch about axis  15  and to torsionally rotate about axis  11  to permit pitch and roll motion of slider  22  as needed during operation of disk drive  2 . 
   In the embodiment shown, flexure  40  also includes a trace assembly  50  (shown in exploded view in  FIG. 2 ) that provides electrical interconnection between slider  22  and a microprocessor (not shown) of disk drive  2  to convey read and write signals to and from head slider  22 . The trace assembly  50  of the shown embodiment is comprised of a conductive layer of material  52  formed into longitudinal traces that extend along the length of flexure  40 , and an insulating layer of material  54  interposed between flexure  40  and the conductive layer  52 . As is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,844,751, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes, the flexure  40  and trace assembly  50  can be formed integrally with each other from a multi-layer laminate sheet of material through the use of plasma etching and other known methods. A trace assembly can alternatively be formed separately from a flexure and mounted to the flexure in a known method, such as through the use of adhesive. The insulating layer of material of a trace assembly can also be deposited onto the flexure in a desired pattern, with the conductive layer of material of the trace assembly being deposited onto the insulating layer of material. Trace assembly  50  can be routed across the flexure in any number of desired patterns as dictated by a specific application. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the trace assembly  50  at gimbal region  44  of flexure  40  is adjacent and spaced apart from the spring arms  30  of the flexure  40 . 
   As described above in the Background section, during normal operation of disk drive  2 , head slider  22  assumes an orientation over the surface of rotating disk  4  (the dynamic attitude) at a specific separation from the surface of the disk  4  (the fly height). As technology progresses, data tracks on disk  4  are being more closely spaced together on the surface of the disk to increase its storage capacity. In order to accurately write information to these data tracks and read information from these data tracks, it is necessary for head slider  22  fly closely above the surface of the spinning disk  4 , and fly heights on the order of 0.1 micrometers are common. Given this close spacing between slider  22  and disk  4 , and further in view of the dense packaging of data on the disk  4 , it is also important that head slider  22  be properly aligned above disk  4  when at the fly height in order to read data from or write data to a relatively small area or spot on disk  4 . 
   In this regard, one important performance criteria of a head suspension  10  is that it position head slider  22  at the desired orientation during normal operation of disk drive  2 . In a typical operation, it is desired that the head slider  22  have a dynamic attitude that is generally parallel to the surface of disk  4  when the head slider is at the fly height, although other orientations that incline the head slider relative to a planar surface of disk  4  are contemplated. As described above in the Background section, the dynamic attitude of head slider  22  can be determined in terms of the static attitude of the head suspension  10 . The static attitude of head slider  10  can be measured with reference to pitch axis  15  and roll axis  11  of head suspension  10 , and any differences between a desired static attitude and the actual static attitude of head suspension  10  (whether those differences deviations from a nominal orientation or are desired pitch and roll biases to be introduced into the head suspension static attitude) can be characterized in terms of pitch errors and roll errors. Deviations from the desired static attitude measured about the transverse axis  15  of head suspension  10  are referred to as pitch errors, while deviations from the desired static attitude measured about longitudinal axis  11  are referred to as roll errors. 
   In order to assess the magnitude of any pitch and/or roll errors in the static attitude of head suspension  10 , static attitude is typically measured, and pitch and roll errors in the static attitude assessed, prior to the head slider being mounted to the head suspension and prior to the head suspension being mounted in a disk drive. An apparatus  70  useful in this regard is shown in  FIG. 23  (described in more detail below). In a typical measurement operation, either the head suspension  10  or a specific component of the head suspension  10  (such as flexure  40 ) is placed in a “loaded” state by clamping mechanism  72  to simulate the fly height of a head slider, and the orientation of a slider bond pad to which a head slider can be later attached is measured by probe  74 . Errors in the pitch and roll direction are then assessed. It is also contemplated that static attitude can be assessed after a head slider is attached to a head suspension in a similar manner. In either event, once pitch and roll errors for the static attitude of a head suspension are known, it is desirable to correct the pitch and roll errors if they are greater than a predetermined tolerance in order to increase the yield of useful parts from the head suspension manufacturing process. 
     FIGS. 3–5  illustrate embodiments of a head suspension component, each of which is processed to correct errors in the static attitude of head suspension  10 . A distal portion of flexure  40  that is attached to a head suspension in the manner described above in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 2  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . One or more specific regions of the flexure  40  are scanned with a laser by traversing the laser across the specific regions of the flexure to plastically deform the flexure  40 , and thus effect a pitch and/or roll bias in the flexure  40 , which will in turn affect the static attitude of head suspension  10  and the dynamic attitude of a head slider (not shown) attached to the flexure  40 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, a continuous wave, focused laser beam traverses and irradiates the flexure  40  to impart heat energy to the flexure and to provide precise micro-warping of that portion of the flexure irradiated. In the region scanned by the laser, an elevated temperature isothermal is created on the irradiated surface along the path that the laser traverses on flexure  40 . The heated material expands, but is constrained by the cooler material surrounding the scanned area. In this manner, the scanned region undergoes compressive plastic strain, and upon cooling, will curl towards the laser beam. Through the selective scanning of regions of the flexure  40 , the flexure  40  can be caused to warp in a predetermined and desired manner, which will in turn provide a desired pitch and/or roll bias to the flexure  40 , and thus correct pitch and roll errors in the static attitude of flexure  40  and head suspension  10 . 
   Toward this end, at least one scan region  32 , and in the illustrated embodiment a plurality of scan regions  32 , are located on flexure  40 , which are irradiated with a laser. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a scan region  32  is located in each of the spring arms  30  of flexure  40  (denoted as scan region  32   a  and scan region  32   b ) near a distal end of each of the spring arms  30 . A laser (shown in more detail in  FIG. 23  and described below) scans at least one of the scan regions  32  of flexure  40  by traversing the scan region  32  in a desired pattern to irradiate the scan region  32  and impart heat to the individual scan region  32 . 
   More to the point, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a laser traverses a plurality of adjacent paths across each of the scan regions  32   a  and  32   b , and thus scans a plurality of lines  34  in each of the scan regions  32   a  and  32   b . Lines  34  are scanned in a direction generally parallel to the transverse axis  15 , and lines  34  extend across the entire width of each arm  30 . Lines  34  can be spaced apart from each other in a desired manner. Scanning regions  32   a  and  32   b  in this manner causes scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  to curl upward in a direction toward the surface of arms  30  that is scanned by the laser along each of the lines  34 . In this manner, arms  30  are plastically deformed (i.e. warped) in a direction that is generally about transverse axis  15 , and a pitch bias is introduced into each of the spring arms  30  at scan regions  32   a  and  32   b.    
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , flexure  40  includes a top surface  46  and a bottom surface  48  opposite top surface  46 , and a positive or negative warp at scan region  32   a  and at scan region  32   b , and thus a positive or negative bias in pitch static attitude, can be introduced to the individual spring arms  30  of flexure  40  by selectively scanning either the top surface  46  or the bottom surface  48  of the spring arms  30 . As shown, slider mounting surface  27  of flexure  40  (to which a head slider is attached) is positioned on the bottom surface  48  of flexure  40 . A positive pitch deflection is defined to be an induced warp in the flexure  40  about transverse axis  15  consistent with the right hand rule (i.e. that is toward the surface of a disk over which the flexure  40  is mounted). That is, lines  34  scanned on the bottom surface  48  of flexure  40  will cause the scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  to curl in a direction toward the surface of the disk, thus inducing a positive pitch bias in the orientation provided by the flexure  40  to the head slider. The amount of positive pitch bias introduced is tailored to correct a negative pitch error in static attitude. Alternatively, lines  34  scanned on a top surface  46  of flexure  40  will induce a warp in an opposite, or negative, direction. This negative pitch bias can be tailored to correct a positive pitch error in static attitude. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  are identified on the same surface of the flexure  40  (i.e. the bottom surface  48  of arms  30  to induce a positive pitch deflection), and are identified at a position on each of the spring arms  30  that is approximately the same distance from the distal end of flexure  40 . That is, scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  are sized to be substantially of equal length as measured longitudinally, and are substantially aligned with each other along a transverse axis of the flexure. By identifying scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  in this manner (i.e. aligned and on the same surface of flexure  40 ) a bias that is comprised primarily of only a pitch deflection can be obtained. The scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  could be identified at different locations along the length of each spring arm  30 , they can be sized differently or they can be identified on different surfaces of flexure  40  to produce a bias comprised of both pitch and roll components. Scanning the same surface of both spring arms  30  with lines  34  that are parallel to the pitch axis  15  as opposed to scanning lines that are angled from pitch axis  15  also helps induce a deflection in the flexure  40  that is primarily comprised of a pitch correction. However, lines  34  could be angled relative to axis  15  to produce both a pitch and roll bias. 
     FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a flexure wherein both a pitch and a roll bias are induced in a flexure  140  to account for pitch and roll static attitude errors in accordance with the present invention. More specifically, a distal portion of flexure  140  that is attached to a head suspension in the manner described above is shown. Scan regions  132   a  and  132   b  are identified on a bottom surface  148  of flexure  140  near the distal ends of spring arms  130  of flexure  140 . In the manner described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , a plurality of lines  134  can be scanned in regions  132   a  and  132   b  to induce a positive pitch bias in the flexure  140 , and thus overcome negative pitch errors in static attitude. Additional scan regions  132   c  and  132   d  are identified on cross piece  128  of flexure  140 . Scan region  132   c  is identified on top surface  146  of flexure  140 , while scan region  132   d  is identified on bottom surface  148  of flexure  140 . Scan regions  132   c  and  132   d  are also scanned by a laser, e.g. scanning a plurality of parallel lines  135  in regions  132   c  and  132   d , to induce a roll bias in the flexure  140 . That is, a plurality of lines  135  that are parallel to the longitudinal axis  111  of flexure  140 , that extend across the entire width of cross piece  128 , and that are spaced apart from each other in a desired manner are scanned in region  132   c , while a similar plurality of lines  135  are scanned in region  132   d . The lines  135  scanned in region  132   c  will cause cross piece  128  to warp in a direction toward the top surface  146 , while the lines  135  scanned in region  132   d  will cause the cross piece to warp in a direction toward bottom surface  148 . In this manner, the flexure  140  is twisted by the torsional forces exerted by these warped regions, and a roll bias is thus induced in the orientation of flexure  140 . The amount of roll bias induced in flexure  140  is tailored to account for a desired amount of roll error in the static attitude provided by the head suspension to which the flexure  140  is attached. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , scan regions  132   c  and  132   d  are spaced apart from longitudinal axis  111  by an approximately equal amount (i.e. scan regions  132   c  and  132   d  are symmetric with respect to central longitudinal axis  111 ), and the number of lines  135  scanned in each region  132   c  and  132   d  can be approximately equal to provide symmetric torsional forces about longitudinal axis  111 . The scan regions  132   c  and  132   d  can alternatively be chosen to provide varying torsional effects to the flexure  140  as desired by a specific application, such as by positioning scan regions  132   c  and  132   d  at different positions relative to axis  111  or by scanning a different number of lines  135  in regions  132   c  and  132   d  to impart a greater or lesser amount of total warp caused by lines  135 , and thus tailor the amount of roll bias induced as desired by a specific application. That is, scan region  132   c  could be scanned with a greater number of scan lines  135  than are scanned in region  132   d  to control the torsional effect of the scanning process. This could include scanning no lines  135  in either scan region  132   c  or  132   d  if desired. 
   As with the pitch bias introduced by the scanning of regions  132   a  and  132   b , regions  132   c  and  132   d  can be selected to induce either a positive or a negative roll bias into the static attitude of flexure  140 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  wherein region  132   c  is identified in top surface  146  to the left of axis  111  (as viewed distally along axis  111 ) and scan region  132   d  is identified in bottom surface  148  to the right of axis  111 , a negative roll bias is induced about axis  111 , consistent with the right hand rule (i.e. the warp caused by the scan lines  135  applied to regions  132   c  and  132   d  twists the flexure in a direction that is counterclockwise as viewed distally along the longitudinal axis  111 ). Scanning the opposite surfaces of cross piece  128  (i.e. defining region  132   c  on the bottom surface  148  to the right of axis  111  and region  132   d  on top surface  146  to the top of axis  111 ) would induce a positive roll bias. 
     FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a portion of a flexure  240  processed in accordance with the present invention to affect the static attitude of a head suspension to which flexure  240  is attached. A pair of scan regions  232   a  and  232   b  are defined on the spring arms  230  of the flexure  240 . Specifically, scan region  232   a  is defined in a bottom surface  248  of spring arm  230   a , while scan region  232   b  is defined in a top surface  246  of spring arm  230   b . A plurality of lines  234  are scanned in each of the scan regions  232   a  and  232   b . Scan region  232   a  will warp in a downward direction toward bottom surface  248 , while scan region  232   b  will warp in an upward direction toward top surface  246 . By defining scan regions  232   a  and  232   b  in opposing surfaces of the spring arms  230 , a roll bias can be induced due to the differing directions of the warp induced by the scanning of the plurality of lines  234 . Moreover, depending on the number of lines  234  scanned in each of the scan regions, the amount of warp experienced by the regions  232   a  and  232   b  can either be the same, resulting in a net pitch bias that is approximately zero, or it can be different in order to impart a net pitch bias in either the positive or negative direction as may be desired. 
   For simplicity, the flexures  40 ,  140 , and  240  of  FIGS. 3–5  are shown without a conductive trace assembly routed over the respective flexures. In actual use, conductive leads, such as a conductive trace assembly, a flexible circuit, or conductive wires, are provided to enable the reading and/or writing of data by a head slider attached to the flexure. In one preferred embodiment, a conductive trace assembly is routed along the suspension component processed in the manner described above so that the conductive trace does not cross scan regions that are located in the head suspension component. It has been found that locating scan regions over which a conductive trace assembly is routed may reduce the amount of deflection achieved. This is because the conductive layer of material may block part of the laser energy. In addition, since the conductive and insulating layers of material are not being micro-warped, the resist the warping of the underlying head suspension component.  FIG. 19  thus illustrates a preferred configuration for a flexure  40 ′ and a conductive trace assembly  50 ′ wherein trace assembly  50 ′ is routed along the spring arms  30 ′ of flexure  40 ′ until it approaches the distal portion of the flexure. Near the distal portion of flexure  40 ′ the trace assembly  50 ′ is routed off of the surface of spring arms  30 ′ and extends adjacent to the spring arms  30 ′. Scan regions  32   a ′ and  32   b ′ are located on the spring arms  30 ′ at a location wherein the trace  50 ′ extends parallel and adjacent to the arms  30 ′, and thus trace assembly  50 ′ is not scanned during the static attitude adjustment process described herein. 
   It is contemplated that other configurations for the conductive trace assembly can be used in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and  FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate such alternative embodiments. In  FIG. 20 , a trace assembly  50 ″ extends along the length of spring arms  30 ″ of flexure  40 ″, and the scan regions  32   a ″ and  32   b ″ are defined in a manner that the trace assembly  50 ″ is scanned along with the spring arms  30 ″. Trace assembly  50 ″ is routed distally of cross-piece  28 ″, and scan regions  32   c ″ and  32   d ″ can be located so that trace assembly  50 ″ is not scanned by the laser.  FIG. 21  shows a third embodiment of a flexure  40 ′″ wherein the conductive trace  50 ′″ extends adjacent to arms  30 ′″ and beyond cross-piece  28 ′″ of flexure  40 ′″. 
   While  FIGS. 3–5  show a plurality of adjacent paths (i.e. a plurality of lines) scanned in the desired scan regions, these regions can be scanned with one or more paths having any number of different shapes to produce a desired warp in the head suspension. For example, with sufficient analysis, a non-linear pattern of scan lines could be scanned to compensate for pitch and/or roll errors in a simultaneous fashion. In addition, rather than scanning individual lines in the specified scan regions, the laser could traverse and scan a continuous pattern that traces a desired configuration along the length of a scan region to create a desired warp (and thus a pitch and/or roll bias) in the scan region. 
   Moreover, while  FIGS. 3–5  show a flexure that is part of a three piece head suspension design, the static attitude of a two piece head suspension having an integral flexure can be adjusted in a manner similar to that described above.  FIG. 22  illustrates a portion of a head suspension  410  having an integral flexure  440 . Flexure  440  includes a first set of torsion arms  430  and a second set of torsion arms  431 . First set of torsion arms  430  is comprised of arms  430   a  and  430   b , and are interconnected between an outer frame  418  and inner spring arms  436 . Second set of torsion arms  431  is comprised of arms  431   a  and  431   b , and are interconnected between the inner spring arms  436  and a slider mounting platform  438 . The first set of torsion arms  430 , the second set of torsion arms  431 , and the inner spring arms  436  are sufficiently resilient to permit the slider mounting platform  438  (and a head slider attached thereto) to gimbal in response to fluctuations in the air bearing as the suspension  410  and slider fly over a rotating disk in a disk drive. 
   Because of the configuration of flexure  440 , a static attitude adjustment is preferably accomplished by torsionally rotating the first and second set of torsion arms  430  and  431 , respectively, in a desired manner to cause a pitch and roll bias in the static attitude of mounting platform  438  of suspension  410 . As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , then, scan regions  432   a  and  432   b  can be located in a bottom surface  448  on the longitudinal portion of inner spring arms  436 . A plurality of lines  434  can be scanned in scan regions  432   a  and  432   b  with a laser beam to warp the regions  432   a  and  432   b  in a desired manner. As shown in  FIG. 22 , scanning a plurality of lines  434  in scan regions  432   a  and  432   b  will cause the torsion arms  431  to twist, which will impart a pitch bias to the slider mounting region  438 . The direction of the pitch bias (i.e. positive or negative) can be altered by defining regions  432   a  and  432   b  in the respective opposite surfaces of the flexure  440  or by locating scan regions  432   a  and  432   b  either proximally or distally of torsion arms  431 . 
   Scan regions  432   c  and  432   d  can be identified in the transverse portion of inner spring arms  436  to effect a roll bias in the static attitude of head suspension  410  in a similar manner. Region  432   c  and region  432   d  are located on bottom surface  448  of spring arms  436 , and a plurality of lines  435  are scanned in these regions to warp the regions, and thus induce a roll bias through torsion arms  430  in the static attitude of head suspension  410 . The direction of the roll bias can be controlled by locating the scan regions on the appropriate surface (i.e. top or bottom) or on the appropriate portion of spring arms  436  (i.e. proximal or distal of torsion arms  431 ). Scan regions can also be identified in other portions of flexure  440 , such as in one or both sets of torsion arms  430  and  431  to effect pitch and/or roll static attitude corrections as desired. 
   The amount of scanning performed on the one or more regions of a head suspension, and thus the amount of warp that is induced, is dependent upon a number of variables, each of which can be controlled as needed by a desired application to optimize the scanning process. One constraint on the amount of scanning performed on a head suspension in a static attitude compensation process is the amount of pitch and/or roll correction that is needed to overcome pitch and roll errors in the static attitude of the head suspension. A second constraint on the amount of scanning performed may be that the head suspension not be permanently marked during the correction process, which will diminish the aesthetic appearance of the part. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 3–5 , the head suspension is scanned with a plurality of lines using a laser beam having a predetermined size and intensity. Moreover, the plurality of scan lines are spaced apart to control the amount of localized heat applied to the head suspension at each of the individual lines, and the rate at which the laser traverses the head suspension in scanning the scan regions is controlled in a desired manner to control the amount of heat applied to the head suspension. In other words, the amount of scanning performed on a head suspension will vary with the size and intensity of the laser beam, the spacing between the lines scanned by the laser beam, the number of lines scanned by the laser, and the rate at which the lines are scanned. The physical configuration of the head suspension (i.e. part width and thickness) will also play a part in the amount of angular deflection the head suspension experiences for a given amount of scanning. For a specific suspension configuration, then, beam size, intensity, number of scan lines, and scan rate can be optimized as necessary to induce the proper amount of pitch and/or roll correction while not permanently marking the head suspension part. 
   The amount of scanning that needs to be performed on a head suspension to effect a desired deflection can be experimentally obtained and stored for later reference by holding certain of the variables described above that affect the heat imparted to the component constant while varying other variables. For example, using the flexure of  FIG. 3  to illustrate wherein a plurality of lines  34  are scanned in the head suspension, the beam size and beam intensity of the laser used to scan lines  34 , the spacing between individual lines  34 , and the rate at which the head suspension is scanned can all be held constant, while the number of lines  34  that are scanned, and thus the size of scan regions  32   a  and  32   b , is varied to experimentally determine the deflection obtained from a given number of lines that are scanned in a specific region of flexure  40 . The resulting angular deflection is then measured and a response curve depicting deflection as a function of the number of scan lines for a scan region on a bottom surface  48  of a spring arm  30  for a given laser beam size, intensity, and scan rate can be obtained. Similar response curves for a scan region on a top surface  46  of a spring arm  30  and for scan regions on the top and bottom surfaces of cross piece  28  of flexure  40  can be obtained for a given laser beam size, intensity, and scan rate. 
     FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15 , and  17  illustrate the results of such an investigation wherein different portions and surfaces of a specific head suspension configuration were scanned with a varying number of lines while other variables that affect the heat imparted to the scan regions were held constant to determine the pitch and roll deflection that result at each specific scan region. For each of the plots shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15  and  17 , laser beam power, the scan speed of the laser as it traverses the head suspension, the diameter of the laser beam, the wavelength of the laser, and the spacing between the adjacent scan lines were held constant while different scan regions of a flexure were scanned with a varying number of scan lines. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3–5 , the power of the laser beam was either 6.2 watts (for scans made in the bottom surface of the head suspension) or 7.2 watts (for scans made in the top surface of the head suspension), and the scan speed was 1.1 meters per second. The difference between the power for the top and bottom lasers is due to differing optics attached to the lasers, and identical power can be used for lasers provided with similar optics. The diameter of the laser beam was set at 35 micrometers with a wavelength of 1100 nm. The spacing between individual scan lines was set at 30 micrometers. 
     FIG. 7  shows the positive angular pitch deflection obtained as a function of the number of lines scanned in a pair of scan regions located in a bottom surface of the spring arms of a head suspension flexure (for example, scan regions  32   a  or  32   b  of flexure  40  of  FIG. 3 ). The number of scan lines represents the number of lines scanned in each of the scan regions, and the angular deflection is measured about a pitch axis located at the head suspension load dimple.  FIG. 9  shows the negative angular pitch deflection as a function of the number of lines scanned in regions located in a top surface of the spring arms of a flexure.  FIG. 11  shows the positive angular roll deflection obtained as a function of the number of lines scanned in a cross piece of a flexure, with the scan region located to the right of the longitudinal axis (as viewed distally) and on the top surface of the flexure.  FIG. 13  shows the negative angular roll deflection obtained a function of the number of lines scanned in a cross piece of a flexure with the scan region located to the left of the longitudinal axis and on the top surface of the flexure.  FIG. 15  shows the positive angular roll deflection as a function of the number of lines scanned in a region located on a top surface of a flexure spring arm.  FIG. 17  shows the negative angular roll deflection as a function of the number of lines scanned in a region located on a bottom surface of a flexure spring arm. As shown in these figures, pitch corrections of up to 1.5° and roll corrections of up to 1.2° are common. Pitch corrections of up to 2.5° and roll corrections of up to 1.5° have been achieved. 
   Once the response curves shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15 , and  17  have been obtained for a particular flexure configuration and laser operating conditions, the curves can be analyzed to determine a mathematical equation for each of the response curves. The data of these Figures is primarily linear, and thus a first order equation can be developed to characterize each of these response curves. The response curves advantageously allow a prediction/correction methodology to be followed during the manufacture of a head suspension generally, and specifically during static attitude corrections. That is, the error in static attitude of a head suspension can be measured, and the appropriate location of the scan region(s) can be determined based on the necessary correction (e.g. a bottom surface of a flexure spring arm to provide a positive pitch deflection). The response curves and corresponding equations can be used to determine the approximate number of lines to be scanned in the region(s) necessary to effect a desired angular deflection. The scan region(s) are then scanned with the appropriate number of lines to approximately achieve the amount of pitch and/or roll correction that is needed. 
   Such a methodology is preferably used as part of a closed loop process to provide precise micro-warping of a head suspension component, such as the flexures  40 ,  140 , and  240  shown in  FIGS. 3–5 . Once a region of a head suspension has been scanned with a laser, the region can be again scanned to cause additional deflection of the scan region if necessary. The scanning of a region that has been previously scanned will typically produce an angular deflection from the second scanning process that is less than the angular deflection achieved from the time the region is scanned. The amount of scanning (e.g. the number of lines scanned) is typically lower for the second scanning process. This is because the second scan has to increase the amount of compressive plastic deformation already induced in the irradiated material by the first scan operation, and also to increase the amount of elastic stress in the opposite, non-irradiated surface. 
   Additional scanning of the identified region can be done (i.e. third and fourth scans) if desired, with each successive scanning operation producing an incrementally smaller warping of the region than the immediately preceding scanning operation. In this manner, increasingly precise static attitude adjustments can be made. It has been determined, however, that scanning an individual region twice is typically sufficient to meet manufacturing requirements for static attitude accuracy. The first scanning of a region in a head suspension component is referred to as a “coarse” static attitude adjustment, while the second scanning of the region is referred to as a “fine” static attitude adjustment. 
     FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15 , and  17  described above each illustrate either a coarse pitch static attitude adjustment or a coarse roll static attitude adjustment for a head suspension. As with  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15 , and  17  described above, data describing the relationship between the amount of scanning performed to a specific scan region a second time and the angular deflection that is achieved can be generated and stored for later reference. That is, response curves for a particular head suspension that illustrate the amount of angular deflection effected during a fine static attitude adjustment process can be experimentally obtained as a function, for example, of the number of lines scanned by holding other variables that affect the amount of deflection obtained constant. Plots of the response curves for a fine static attitude adjustment are shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . 
   As with  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15 , and  17 , laser power, scan speed, laser beam diameter, laser wavelength, and spacing between individual scan lines were held constant while the number of scan lines was changed to produce the fine static attitude adjustment curves of  FIGS. 8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . The values of the variables held constant in generating the plots of  FIGS. 7 ,  9 ,  11 ,  13 ,  15 , and  17  were held at the same values in generating the plots of  FIGS. 8 ,  10 ,  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18 . 
   Once the coarse and fine static attitude adjustment data describing the relationship between angular deflection and the amount of scanning performed have been obtained, an iterative, closed loop process for adjusting static attitude to provide precise pitch and/or roll corrections can be performed. That is, an iterative process wherein at least one region of a head suspension is scanned with a laser two times to effect a total desired angular deflection of the scan region can be used to provide precise corrections to head suspension static attitude. A specific application of such an iterative process for correcting static attitude is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 6   a . More to the point,  FIG. 6   a  is a schematic, block diagram of an iterative process wherein regions are scanned with a plurality of lines multiple times to provide precise static attitude corrections. The coarse and fine adjustment response curves for pitch and roll static attitude corrections as a function of the number of lines scanned in a specific scan region for a given head suspension configuration (shown in  FIGS. 7–18 ) are advantageously used in such a process to provide a prediction/correction/feedback/prediction/correction methodology for static attitude corrections. 
   In addition, the measuring equipment can be modified so that it operates when the laser beam is irradiating the part. This provides for a real time continuous feedback operation that shows changes in pitch and roll static attitude as they are being effected. Because of the relatively slow speed of current real time measuring apparatus, however, prediction/correction/feedback methodology provides an advantage in processing speed with comparable accuracy to real time measurement methodology. 
   With specific reference to  FIG. 6   a , a process  58  performed on a flexure of a head suspension will be described. At first step  60  in the process  58  a head suspension having a flexure is placed in its loaded state on a measurement apparatus to simulate the dynamic attitude a head slider attached to the part would experience under normal operating conditions. Once in its loaded state, at step  61  the static attitude of the head suspension can be measured with a probe, and the pitch and roll errors between the measured static attitude and the desired static attitude are determined. In this regard, the static attitude of the head suspension can be measured using any of a number of known methods, such as with a laser measurement probe (shown in  FIG. 23  and described in more detail below). Alternatively, when processing a large number of head suspensions, the nominal static attitude of only the first few head suspensions may be measured. If the static attitudes are sufficiently similar to each other, the static attitude of the remaining head suspensions can be assumed to be that of the first few head suspensions, and this measurement step may not be performed. This is particularly true in view of the iterative correction process described further below. 
   A coarse static attitude adjustment is shown at steps  62  and  63  wherein the number of scan lines necessary to effect a specific pitch and/or roll adjustment is determined using coarse adjustment response curves and equations that have been previously determined for the head suspension, and the desired number of scan lines are scanned in the appropriate scan regions. As part of step  62 , the appropriate scan regions are determined based upon the magnitude and direction of the required pitch and/or roll error. That is, to correct a negative pitch error, scan regions are located on a bottom surface of the flexure spring arms to cause a positive pitch deflection through the scanning of the lines in the scan region(s). The number of scan regions can vary based upon the amount of pitch correction that is necessary. 
   Also, as part of the process of determining the number of lines to scan in a scan region, it is presently preferred to only correct a portion of the measured pitch and/or roll errors with a coarse static attitude adjustment. That is, rather than attempting to correct the entire pitch or roll static attitude error with a single scanning of lines, the total pitch or roll error to be corrected is reduced by a specific amount. For example, when correcting pitch errors, the appropriate location for the scan region(s) are determined and the number of scan lines to be scanned in the scan region(s) is determined from the coarse pitch adjustment plots and equations based on a desire to achieve a specific percentage of the entire pitch correction with the coarse static attitude adjustment. The scan regions are then scanned with the laser by traversing the scan region with a plurality of scan lines at step  63 . A similar operation can be conducted for any roll error that must be accounted for wherein the necessary roll correction, either positive or negative, and the magnitude of the correction are first determined, the proper location for the scan region is determined, and the number of lines to correct a specific percentage of the total roll error is determined from the coarse adjustment plots for roll error. It is presently preferred that the percentage of the pitch and/or roll errors that are corrected be greater than about eighty percent and less than about one hundred percent. 
   At step  64 , the resulting static attitude of the head suspension is again measured after the coarse pitch and roll corrections performed at steps  62  and  63 . If the measured static attitude differs from the nomical static attitude by more than a threshold valve, such as 0.05 degrees for example, in either pitch or roll, then a fine static attitude adjust is performed, as shown at steps  65  and  66 . That is, the fine adjustment response curves and equations for the specific head suspension part are referenced to determine the number of scan lines required to correct the remaining pitch and/or roll errors at step  65 . The appropriate number of lines are then scanned in the previously identified and scanned scan region(s) at step  66 . The resulting static attitude is again measured at step  67 . Additional scan iterations can be performed if desired in a similar manner, as is shown at step  68 . It has been found, however, that two iterations are typically sufficient to correct pitch and roll errors to within acceptable levels, and thus a two iteration process is presently preferred. 
   As shown in  FIG. 6   b , a response factor can be calculated and used to provide a more accurate fine static attitude adjust if desired. As shown at step  164   a , after the coarse static attitude adjustment has been made and the resulting static attitude measured, a response factor can be computed by calculating the ratio of the estimated angular deflection to the measured angular deflection. The number of scan lines necessary to correct the remaining pitch and/or roll errors in static attitude can then be calculated at step  165 , and the number of scan lines can be multiplied by the response factor at step  165   a . If the part behaved as expected during the coarse static attitude adjustment, then the response factor will be 1.0, and no change will be made to the number of fine adjust scan lines. If less angular deflection than predicted was seen in the coarse static attitude adjust, then the response factor will be greater than 1.0 and the number fine adjust scan lines will be adjusted upward. If more response was seen during the coarse adjust, then the response factor will be less then 1.0, and the number of find adjust scan lines will accordingly be adjusted downward. The fine static attitude adjust is then performed at step  166  by scanning the scan regions with the adjusted number of fine adjust scan lines. 
   Using such an iterative, closed-loop process, pitch and roll corrections to within 0.01° of the desired static attitude have been achieved using coarse and fine adjustment response curves. A process that utilizes only two scan iterations also advantageously provides for a more efficient manufacturing process in that the cycle time for correcting static attitude can be reduced as compared to processes with additional scan iterations. 
   It is to be understood that, while the iterative process of  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  has been described with reference to correcting only a portion of the pitch and roll errors with the coarse static attitude adjust step, the pitch and roll error correction goal of the coarse static attitude adjust can be up to 100%. In addition, the goal of the coarse static attitude adjust step can be set at a specific angular deflection, and the number of scan lines calculated based on this set figure if desired. 
   In the examples described above, the amount of scanning necessary to effect a desired angular deflection is described in terms of the number of scans needed to accomplish the course and fine static attitude adjustments for a given beam intensity, beam diameter, scan velocity, and scan line spacing. The relationship between the angular deflection achieved and the amount of scanning performed can also be determined as a function of a different laser operating parameters. For example, the number of scan lines could be held constant while the laser beam intensity is varied to determine the relationship between deflection and beam intensity. Both coarse and fine static attitude adjustments can be determined in this manner. 
     FIG. 23  shows an apparatus  70  useful for performing the measurement and scanning steps described herein, and specifically for performing the process shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . Apparatus  70  is generally comprised of a clamp  72 , a probe  74 , an upper laser  76  having a laser fiber  90 , a lower laser  78  having a lower laser fiber  92 , an upper scan head  80  and a lower scan head  82 . A head suspension is secured within clamp  72  and positioned beneath probe  74 . As is known, clamp  72  includes an apparatus that places the head suspension  10  in a loaded state in order to simulate the fly height and orientation provided by the head suspension. 
   The probe  74  measures the positional orientation provided by the head suspension component. In a preferred embodiment, a WYKO probe, model number 872-104 and available from Veeco Metrology Group of Tuscon, Ariz., can be used to measure the positional orientation provided by the head suspension. The probe  74  is positioned above clamp  72  and the part held within clamp  72 , and fires one or more lasers at the head suspension part supported in clamp  72  to measure the static provided by the part, as is known in the industry. Pitch and roll errors in static attitude can then be determined, such as with the use of a microprocessor (not shown). Upper laser  76  and lower laser  78  are each used to generate a laser beam of a desired intensity, and the intensity of lasers  76  and  78  can be controlled with the microprocessor, as is known. A continuous wave fiber laser such as is available from SDL, Inc., of San Jose, Calif., model number SDL-F620-4211-001, is preferred for lasers  76  and  78 , and a focused spot size diameter of between 35 and 40 micrometers have been found to be useful in the method of the present invention. Upper laser  76  is used to direct a laser beam through fiber  90  and toward a top surface of the head suspension part supported in clamp  72  to scan one or more scan regions on the top surface of the part. Lower laser  78  is used to direct a laser beam through fiber  92  and toward a bottom surface of the part to scan one or more scan regions on the bottom surface of the part. 
   The movement of the laser beams across the part is accomplished with upper and lower scan heads  80  and  82 . The upper laser beam is directed toward the upper scan head  80 , while the lower laser beam is directed toward the lower scan head  82 . Upper and lower scan heads  80  and  82 , respectively, are used to deflect the laser beam from the upper and lower laser  76  and  78  toward turning mirrors  84  and  86 , which redirect the laser energy toward the head suspension part held within clamp  72  to scan the desired pattern on the head suspension part. That is, the actual travel of the laser beam across a scan region of a head suspension is controlled through movement of the appropriate scan head. Accordingly, upper and lower scan heads  80  and  82  each include mirrors and objective lenses to deflect and focus the incoming laser beam toward the head suspension part, and each mirror is coupled to a servo motor (not shown) to move the mirror in a desired fashion to scan the head suspension part. The rate at which head suspension is scanned is also controlled by the motion of the mirrors. In this regard, the function of the upper and lower scan heads  80  and  82  are preferably controlled by the microprocessor attached to apparatus  70 . 
   In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the plurality of lines  34  scanned in a pair of scan regions, such as regions  32   a  and  32   b , can be achieved with the use of a “jump pattern” between the pair of scan regions  32   a  and  32   b . That is, a first distal line can be scanned in scan region  32   a , the laser then “jumps” to the second scan region  32   b  and scans a first distal line in this region, the laser then jumps back to the first scan region  32   a  to scan a second line in this region that is proximal to the first scanned line. The laser is then redirected to the second region  32   b  to scan a second line distal of the first scanned line in region  32   b , and so on until the desired number of lines has been scanned in each of the scan regions  32   a  and  32   b . The proximal movement of the laser beam in the jump pattern controls the spacing between the individual lines in the plurality of lines, and this too is preferably controlled by the microprocessor of apparatus  70 . In an embodiment such as that shown in  FIG. 3  where the scan regions  32   a  and  32   b  are both defined in bottom surface  48  of flexure  40 , the lower laser  78  and lower scan head  82  are used to scan the plurality of lines  34  in scan regions  32   a  and  32   b . Where a scan region is identified in a top surface of a head suspension component, the upper laser  76  and upper scan head  80  are used to scan the desired pattern of lines in the upper region. 
   Scan heads are known in the industry, and in the apparatus shown, scan heads that are commercially available from Scanlab AG in Germany were used. A model HS7 1100 nm scan head from Scanlab has been found to be useful for upper and lower scan heads  80  and  82  of apparatus  70 . 
   Once the probe  74  has determined the static attitude provided by the suspension, and the pitch and roll errors have been determined, the regions of the head suspension and the number of scan lines necessary to correct the pitch and/or roll static attitude errors can be determined, such as through the use of coarse and fine static attitude adjust response curves described above. In this regard, the microprocessor of apparatus  70  is again preferably used. That is, the same microprocessor can be used to operate the measuring probe  74 , calculate the coarse and fine static attitude adjustments, the firing of the upper and lower lasers  76  and  78  at a desired intensity, and to control the motion of the upper and lower scan heads  80  and  82  to scan the regions of the head suspension a desired pattern at a desired speed. 
   Apparatus  70  performing the process  58  depicted in  FIG. 6   a  advantageously corrects static attitude of a head suspension part to within acceptable levels, and may also advantageously reduce the cycle time per head suspension over conventional static attitude correction processes. 
   The method for adjusting the static attitude of head suspension by scanning the head suspension in the manner described above also advantageously provides for very precise pitch and roll corrections, with corrections to at least 0.01° of the desired static attitude possible. Pitch and roll corrections can be provided for independently of each other to provide great precision in these corrections. Alternatively, pitch and roll corrections can simultaneously be provided if desired. 
   The present invention also advantageously provides for a more efficient manufacturing process as compared to conventional processes, with part yield being increased due to the great precision with which corrections can be made, and with cycle time necessary to provide these corrections being reduced. 
   Moreover, the scanning of a plurality of lines to cause micro-warping of a head suspension component can be used to adjust other performance characteristics of a head suspension. As described above, the fly height at which a head slider operates is dependent upon the gram load provided by a spring region in a suspension load beam. The spring region is typically pre-formed or radiused to control the gram load provided. A plurality of lines can be scanned in the spring region of the load beam to change the gram load of the spring region. For example, to increase the gram load, the spring region can be scanned on a surface that increases the amount of curvature of the spring region. To decrease the gram load, the opposite surface can be scanned to reduce the amount of curvature in the spring region. 
   Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.