One piece flexure for a hard disc file head with selective nickel plating
First Claim
1. A flexure for supporting a slider having a transducer thereon to an actuator in a disc drive storage device, the flexure having a proximal end coupled to a support arm;
- a mounting portion coupled to said slider for supporting the transducer, the flexure having at least one strategically plated surface comprising;
a protected surface and an exposed etched surface chemically etched therein by a chemical etching process, said protected surface and said etched surface combined and oriented relative one another to form at least one generally sharp edge therebetween; and
a metallic plated layer primarily formed on the exposed etched surface in a region adjacent the protected surface in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the sharpness of said sharp edge,said plated layer disposed over said sharp edge is positioned for contact with a transducer wire supported on said flexure to run to said transducer.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A chemically etched metallic head flexure device and method of fabrication for a head/gimbal assembly having at least one strategically plated surface. The chemically etched flexure device includes a protected surface and an exposed etched surface which are oriented relative one another to form at least one generally sharp edge therebetween. A metallic plated layer is provided which is formed on the exposed etched surface in a region adjacent the protected surface in an amount sufficient to substantially cover or reduce the sharpness of the sharp edge. Hence, transducer wires which contact the plated edge will not be nicked or cut by the edge during extended operation.
31 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A flexure for supporting a slider having a transducer thereon to an actuator in a disc drive storage device, the flexure having a proximal end coupled to a support arm;
a mounting portion coupled to said slider for supporting the transducer, the flexure having at least one strategically plated surface comprising; a protected surface and an exposed etched surface chemically etched therein by a chemical etching process, said protected surface and said etched surface combined and oriented relative one another to form at least one generally sharp edge therebetween; and a metallic plated layer primarily formed on the exposed etched surface in a region adjacent the protected surface in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the sharpness of said sharp edge, said plated layer disposed over said sharp edge is positioned for contact with a transducer wire supported on said flexure to run to said transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Specification