Automatic throat height control for film heads
First Claim
1. In a thin film magnetic head module of the type having one or more head elements, each of which is formed of a pair of magnetic film pole pieces separated by a first insulating film at the tip of the head element and the first insulating film and one or more additional insulating films along a remaining portion of the head element, wherein the tip extends from an edge of the additional film to a pole face established by lapping, wherein the head module includes at least one lapping guide offset from the edge of the additional film to indicate when lapping of the tip should terminate, the improvement wherein the position of the lapping guide is determined by one or more films which are formed during the same processing steps as the additional insulating films of the head, thereby increasing the precision of the lapping of the head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lapping guide is provided to determine the position at which lapping of a thin film head to define pole faces should be terminated. Accurate positioning of the lapping guide with respect to the head is insured by forming various elements of the lapping guide during the same photolithographic process steps as those used to form elements of the head. The lapping guide may be used either as an electrical or optical guide. When used as an optical guide, a second lapping guide may be provided as an indicator that more frequent inspection is necessary.
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Citations
7 Claims
- 1. In a thin film magnetic head module of the type having one or more head elements, each of which is formed of a pair of magnetic film pole pieces separated by a first insulating film at the tip of the head element and the first insulating film and one or more additional insulating films along a remaining portion of the head element, wherein the tip extends from an edge of the additional film to a pole face established by lapping, wherein the head module includes at least one lapping guide offset from the edge of the additional film to indicate when lapping of the tip should terminate, the improvement wherein the position of the lapping guide is determined by one or more films which are formed during the same processing steps as the additional insulating films of the head, thereby increasing the precision of the lapping of the head.
Specification