US20070094866A1 - Thin-film tape head processes - Google Patents
Thin-film tape head processes Download PDFInfo
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- US20070094866A1 US20070094866A1 US11/559,311 US55931106A US2007094866A1 US 20070094866 A1 US20070094866 A1 US 20070094866A1 US 55931106 A US55931106 A US 55931106A US 2007094866 A1 US2007094866 A1 US 2007094866A1
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- holder
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/127—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
- G11B5/31—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin films
- G11B5/3163—Fabrication methods or processes specially adapted for a particular head structure, e.g. using base layers for electroplating, using functional layers for masking, using energy or particle beams for shaping the structure or modifying the properties of the basic layers
- G11B5/3173—Batch fabrication, i.e. producing a plurality of head structures in one batch
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/127—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
- G11B5/31—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin films
- G11B5/3103—Structure or manufacture of integrated heads or heads mechanically assembled and electrically connected to a support or housing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
- G11B5/58—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
- G11B5/584—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following for track following on tapes
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/48—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed
- G11B5/58—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following
- G11B5/584—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following for track following on tapes
- G11B5/588—Disposition or mounting of heads or head supports relative to record carriers ; arrangements of heads, e.g. for scanning the record carrier to increase the relative speed with provision for moving the head for the purpose of maintaining alignment of the head relative to the record carrier during transducing operation, e.g. to compensate for surface irregularities of the latter or for track following for track following on tapes by controlling the position of the rotating heads
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/127—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
- G11B5/187—Structure or manufacture of the surface of the head in physical contact with, or immediately adjacent to the recording medium; Pole pieces; Gap features
- G11B5/1871—Shaping or contouring of the transducing or guiding surface
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/127—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
- G11B5/31—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin films
- G11B5/3109—Details
- G11B5/3116—Shaping of layers, poles or gaps for improving the form of the electrical signal transduced, e.g. for shielding, contour effect, equalizing, side flux fringing, cross talk reduction between heads or between heads and information tracks
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- G—PHYSICS
- G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
- G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
- G11B5/00—Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor
- G11B5/127—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
- G11B5/31—Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive using thin films
- G11B5/3163—Fabrication methods or processes specially adapted for a particular head structure, e.g. using base layers for electroplating, using functional layers for masking, using energy or particle beams for shaping the structure or modifying the properties of the basic layers
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/4902—Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
- Y10T29/49021—Magnetic recording reproducing transducer [e.g., tape head, core, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/4902—Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
- Y10T29/49021—Magnetic recording reproducing transducer [e.g., tape head, core, etc.]
- Y10T29/49032—Fabricating head structure or component thereof
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/4902—Electromagnet, transformer or inductor
- Y10T29/49021—Magnetic recording reproducing transducer [e.g., tape head, core, etc.]
- Y10T29/49032—Fabricating head structure or component thereof
- Y10T29/49036—Fabricating head structure or component thereof including measuring or testing
- Y10T29/49043—Depositing magnetic layer or coating
- Y10T29/49044—Plural magnetic deposition layers
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/5313—Means to assemble electrical device
- Y10T29/53165—Magnetic memory device
Definitions
- the present invention relates to thin-film recording heads, and more particularly, this invention relates to improving the manufacturing process of thin-film recording heads and the structure thereof.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a wafer 100 on which a plurality of heads 102 may be manufactured.
- the water 100 includes two columns of multiple rows of heads 102 .
- an array of heads 102 including transducers and auxiliary circuits are fabricated on a common substrate in a deposition of metallic and non-metallic layers.
- the auxiliary circuits are sometimes referred to as electrical lap guides (ELGs). Patterning of the array of transducers and ELGs is accomplished using photolithography in combination with etching and lift-off processes. The finished array or wafer is then optically and electrically inspected and subsequently cut into smaller arrays of heads 102 .
- individual heads 102 are machined, at a surface 106 which will eventually face the recording medium, to obtain a desired transducer height (sometimes referred to as the stripe height (SH) or to obtain a desired inductive transducer height sometimes referred to as the throat height (TH).
- a desired transducer height sometimes referred to as the stripe height (SH)
- TH throat height
- FIG. 2 illustrates a wafer 200 including a plurality of strips of closures 202 attached thereto.
- Such closures 202 define a plurality of slots 204 in which the aforementioned contacts 206 associated with the ELGs reside.
- Stick closures 202 have recently become a common part of wafer processing in view of the benefits they afford in resultant heads. More information on the manufacture and use of closures 202 and the related benefits may be found with reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,883,770 and 5,905,613 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- FIG. 3 illustrates one of the heads 300 set forth in FIG. 1 with a closure 302 attached thereto.
- the present head 300 is detached from a wafer. Since the head 300 is generated from a wafer structure, the head 300 is extremely thin in shape and form.
- the head 300 In order to increase the stability of the head 300 for the suitable use thereof, the head 300 must be attached to a beam 304 of some sort formed of a rigid material. Such beams 304 are often referred to as a “U-beams.”
- One stringent requirement in attaching the head 300 to an associated beam 304 is that the relative position of the head 300 and beam 304 be precisely aligned. Absent such alignment, the operation of the head 300 may be compromised.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art saw blade 400 in the process of dicing a head 402 equipped with a closure 404 .
- the increased thickness of the combined head 402 and closure 404 cause the blade to slightly bend due to the cutting forces resulting from cutting the additional material. This bending, in turn, results in non-planarity in the operating surface 406 of the head 402 .
- FIG. 5 is an end view illustration of one particular type of bidirectional tape head.
- a head 560 is provided with a flat transducing surface 561 and a row of transducers on the surface of gap 562 .
- An electrical connection cable 563 connects the transducers to the read/write channel of the associated tape drive.
- Alumina overcoat 564 protects the transducers and forms a slope discontinuity edge with respect to the flat transducing surface 561 .
- a slope discontinuity edge 565 is formed parallel to the gap 562 at the side of the flat transducing surface 561 opposite the gap surface.
- an outrigger 567 is provided.
- the outrigger 567 may be formed by cutting a groove 568 in the head 560 .
- a taper 569 may be lapped on the outrigger 567 , preferably at and angle about midway between the expected wrap angles the head will be presented with for various cartridges. The depth of the taper 569 is controlled so that the line from edge 565 to edge 570 is at the desired overwrap angle with respect to the flat transducing surface 561 .
- the head penetration into the tape 566 of a cartridge is controlled so that at the minimum wrap angle 571 , the tape just touches the edge 570 .
- the tape wrap can move between the positions indicated by 571 and 572 , while the outrigger 567 maintains a constant wrap angle onto the flat transducing surface 561 . More information on the head design shown in FIG. 5 may be found with reference to U.S. Pat. No.: 5,905,613, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- An apparatus for attaching a thin film head to a beam includes a base; a head mounting assembly coupled to the base and including a head holder for holding a head; and a beam mounting assembly coupled to the base and including a beam holder for holding a beam; wherein the relative position of the head holder and beam holder is configurable along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further configurable in a ⁇ x direction, ⁇ y direction, and ⁇ z direction so that the head is precisely attached to the beam.
- a method for attaching a thin-film head to a beam includes adjusting the relative position of a head holder and a beam holder along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further in a ⁇ x direction, ⁇ y direction, and ⁇ z direction, wherein the head holder is a component of a head mounting assembly pivotally coupled to a base and the beam holder is a component of a beam mounting assembly fixedly mounted to the base; attaching a head to the head holder of the head holder mounting assembly; attaching a beam to the beam holder of the beam mounting assembly; and pivoting the head holder relative to the beam holder for attaching the head to the beam.
- a system for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer includes a wafer including a plurality of magnetic heads formed therein and a plurality of closures formed thereon; a saw blade with a substantially thin circular configuration having a planar first face, a second face, and a serrated periphery, the saw blade having a first thickness and a first diameter; and a thickened portion with a substantially disk-shaped configuration integrally coupled to the first face of the saw, the thickened portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness and a second diameter less than 1 ⁇ 2 the first diameter; wherein the thickened portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating the magnetic heads from the wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
- An apparatus for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer includes a saw blade including: an outer portion with a substantially circular configuration having a periphery and a first thickness, and an inner portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the outer portion.
- the inner portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating magnetic heads from a wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
- a method for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer includes activating a saw blade including: an outer portion with a substantially circular configuration having a serrated periphery ad a first thickness, and an inner portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the outer portion.
- a thin-film head on a wafer is diced utilizing the saw blade; wherein the inner portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating magnetic heads from a wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a wafer on which a plurality of heads may be manufactured.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a wafer including a plurality of strips of closures attached thereto.
- FIG. 3 illustrates one of the heads set forth in FIG. 1 with a closure attached thereto.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art saw blade in the process of dicing a head equipped with a closure.
- FIG. 5 is an end view illustration of a particular type of prior art bidirectional tape head.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam.
- FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view showing the various components of the apparatus of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 6B illustrates a method for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a strengthened saw blade capable of affording heads with a planar operating surface, in accordance with one embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a side view of the saw blade taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 shows the saw blade of FIGS. 7 and 8 while dicing heads on an accompanying wafer.
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a magnetic head equipped with a single groove, in accordance with one embodiment.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the groove taken along line 11 - 11 shown in FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 illustrates the head of FIGS. 10 and 11 in use, in accordance with one embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus 600 for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam. As will soon become apparent, this is accomplished by allowing relative alignment of the head and the beam in size directions 601 . Such directions 601 are shown in the lower right-hand corner of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view showing the various components along with the associated fasteners, couplings, etc. of the apparatus 600 .
- a head may refer to any magnetic head capable of operating (i.e. reading, writing, etc.) in conjunction with a tape.
- the beam may refer to any rigid support that may be attached to the head for support purposes.
- the beam may take the form of a “U-beam.”
- a base 602 is provided including a head mounting assembly 604 positioned thereon.
- the head mounting assembly 604 includes a pair of stanchions 606 fixedly mounted on a first side of the base 602 .
- a pivot arm 608 is provided having a first end pivotally coupled to the stanchions 606 about an axis parallel with an x-axis. See directions 601 .
- the pivot arm 608 further has a second end with a handle 610 and a head holder 612 coupled thereto for securely and precisely receiving a head thereon.
- the head holder 612 is attached to a plate 618 which is in turn screwably coupled to the second end of the pivot arm 608 for allowing the placement of a shim 620 between the plate 618 and the second end of the pivot arm 608 .
- the use of the shim 620 in this manner allows the adjustment of the head in a ⁇ z direction. See directions 601 .
- the bead mounting assembly 604 further includes a vacuum assembly 614 coupled to the bead holder 612 via a hose 616 .
- the vacuum assembly 614 includes gauges and a control switch for controlling purposes. In use, the vacuum assembly 614 serves for securing a head thereto utilizing a vacuum, in a manner that will soon become apparent.
- a lever (not shown) may be provided for facilitating the extraction of the head from the head holder 612 .
- the lever may be used to eject the head against the force of the vacuum.
- the pivot arm 608 may be biased against one of the stanchions 606 in order to abate any “play” in the pivoting of the pivot arm 608 . This is done to ensure no movement in any direction other than the pivoting action about an axis parallel to the x-axis.
- a beam mounting assembly 622 including a support member 624 having a first portion 626 with a rectangular configuration having a first height.
- the support member 624 of the beam mounting assembly 622 is fixedly mounted on a second side of the base 602 .
- the support member 624 is positioned long an axis parallel with the x-axis.
- the support member 624 further includes a second portion 628 with a rectangular configuration having a second height greater than the first height.
- the second portion 628 of the support member 624 is fixedly mounted to the base 602 adjacent to the first portion 626 of the support member 624 .
- the beam mounting assembly 622 further includes a beam holder 630 positioned on a top surface of the second portion 628 of the support member 624 .
- the beam holder 630 includes a pair of short end edges and a pair of long side edges.
- the beam holder 630 is adapted for receiving a beam 632 thereon.
- the beam holder 630 includes an x-axis stopper 634 positioned at a first one of the short end edges of the beam holder 630 for abutting the beam 632 when positioned on the beam holder 630 .
- the beam holder 630 is slidably coupled to the top surface of the second portion 628 of the support member 624 in a direction parallel to the x-axis. By this structure adjustment of the beam 632 is permitted along the x-axis. As an option, such sliding may be controlled by use of a screw 636 that is rotatably coupled to the support member 624 and screwably coupled to the beam holder 630 .
- An intermediate member 638 of the beam mounting assembly 622 is equipped with a size and shape substantially similar to the first portion 626 of the support member 624 . If use, the intermediate member 638 is adapted for being positioned on top of the first portion 626 of the support member 624 and further along a side of the second portion 628 of the support member 624 .
- the intermediate member 638 includes a pair of smooth holes formed at ends thereof in parallel with a y-axis. See FIG. 6A .
- Such smooth holes are sized for loosely receiving a pair of screws 640 which are in turn screwably coupled to a side of the second portion 628 with at least one shim 642 therebetween.
- the augmented size of the holes is adapted for allowing adjustment of the beam 632 along the y-axis and in a ⁇ x direction by way of the shim 642 . See directions 601 .
- the intermediate member 638 further includes a pair of threaded holes (see FIG. 6A ) formed completely therethrough at ends thereof each along an axis parallel with a z-axis for screwably receiving a pair of screws 644 .
- Such screws abut a top of the first portion 626 of the support member 624 for allowing adjustment of the beam 632 along the y-axis and in a ⁇ y direction.
- the beam mounting assembly 622 includes an upper member 646 having a lower slider segment 648 with a rectangular configuration.
- the lower slider segment 648 of the upper member 646 of the bean mounting assembly 622 is slidably coupled to a top of the intermediate member 638 along an axis parallel with the y-axis. Such slidable coupling is preferably controlled by way of a screw 649 .
- a rotatable coupling may be provided between the screw 649 and any fixed portion of the base 602 or support member 624 .
- a screwable coupling may be provided between the screw 649 and the lower slider segment 648 .
- any other means of accomplishing the same may be employed.
- An upper pivoting segment 650 of the upper member 646 is pivotally coupled at a first side 652 thereof to the lower slider segment 648 . Such coupling is performed formed about an axis parallel with the z-axis.
- the upper pivoting segment 650 further has a second side 654 defining a y-axis stopper for abutting the beam 632 along a first one of the long side edges of the beam holder 630 . By this design, macro adjustment of the beam 632 is afforded along the y-axis.
- a spring 655 may be coupled between the upper pivoting segment 650 and the lower slider segment 648 .
- Such spring serves for biasing the second side of the upper pivoting segment 650 away from the beam 632 .
- a screw 656 screwably coupled to an arm extending from the lower slider segment 648 .
- the screw 656 may be used for abutting the upper pivoting segment 650 to selectively determine an extent to which the upper pivoting segment 650 pivots toward the beam 632 . This in turn allows micro adjustment of the beam 632 along the y-axis.
- Yet another component of the present embodiment is a pair of stabilizers 660 each with a first end 661 having a spring-biased pin 662 mounted therein and an intermediate portion 663 pivotally coupled to the base 602 along an axis parallel with the z-axis.
- a second end 664 of each of the stabilizers 660 is slidably situated on a top surface of the base 602 . Such second end is adapted for being fixed with respect to the base 602 via a clamp 667 .
- the stabilizers 660 includes a first stabilizer 668 with the pin 662 thereof adapted for abutting the beam 632 along a second one of the long side edges of the beam holder 630 .
- a second stabilizer 670 is provided with the pin 662 thereof adapted for abutting the beam 632 along a second one of the short end edges of the beam holder 630 .
- the head mounting assembly 604 is adapted for attaching the head secured in the head holder 612 with the beam 632 secured in the beam holder 630 upon the pivoting of the lead mounting assembly 604 .
- the beam 632 and head may be precisely aligned along six (6) degrees of freedom, namely along an x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, ⁇ x direction, ⁇ y direction, and ⁇ z direction.
- FIG. 6B illustrates a method 6000 for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam.
- the present method 6000 may be carried out in the context of the forgoing apparatus 600 .
- the present method 6000 may also be implemented in the context of any desired machine.
- a head holder and beam holder is adjusted along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further in a ⁇ x direction, ⁇ y direction, and ⁇ z direction. As mentioned earlier, such adjustment is carried out so that the head is precisely attached to the beam.
- a head is attached to the head holder of the head holder mounting assembly. This may be accomplished utilizing a vacuum assembly, or any other desired mechanism.
- a beam is attached to the beam holder of the beam mounting assembly. Note operation 6006 .
- the head holder is then pivoted relative to the beam holder for attaching the head to the beam. See operation 6008 . It should be noted that the vacuum assembly may be disengaged at this point.
- FIGS. 7 through 8 illustrate a rigid saw blade 700 for dicing a thin-film head from a wafer in a manner that prevents non-planarity in a surface on which the transducers of the head operate on an associated tape.
- conventional saw blades are subject to bending due to the increased thickness of the wafer resulting from the use of closures. This bending of the saw blade, in turn, results in non-planar head surfaces which affords less than optional operational characteristics.
- FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a saw blade 700 , in accordance with one embodiment.
- the saw blade 700 is equipped with a substantially thin circular configuration.
- the saw blade 700 further has a serrated periphery 702 for cutting heads from an accompanying wafer.
- the saw blade 700 includes an outer portion 704 and a thickened inner portion 706 each with a disk-shaped configuration.
- the thickened inner portion 706 has a diameter less than 1 ⁇ 2 the diameter of the outer portion 704 .
- FIG. 8 is a side view of the saw blade 700 taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 7 .
- the saw blade 700 has a planar first face 710 and a second face 712 .
- the planar first face 710 has the thickened inner portion 706 of the saw blade 700 integrally attached thereto.
- the outer portion 704 has a first thickness while the thickened inner portion 706 has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. In one embodiment, the first thickness is at least twice the second thickness.
- FIG. 9 shows the saw blade 700 of FIGS. 7 and 8 while dicing heads 900 on an accompanying wafer 902 .
- heads 900 are equipped with closures 904 .
- a closure 904 may include any member integrally, adhesively or otherwise attached to a head 900 for enlarging an operating surface thereof.
- the saw blade 700 is adapted for cutting the wafer 902 along one of the closures 904 such that a surface of one of the heads 900 is exposed in coplanar relationship with a surface of the closure 904 attached thereto.
- the diameter of the thickened inner portion 706 is such that the thickened inner portion 706 resides on a side of the saw blade 700 opposite the closure 904 when cutting, the wafer 902 . This results in the thickened inner portion 706 extending within a gap defined by the closures 904 .
- the saw blade 700 is supported by the thickened inner portion 706 and resists any forces that would cause the saw blade 700 to bend.
- the surfaces of the resulting heads 900 are substantially planar, and thus exhibit improved operational characteristics.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a magnetic head with a single groove formed therein for accomplishing the benefits of prior art magnetic head devices.
- prior art magnetic head devices include an intermediate groove to afford a discontinuity edge adjacent the operating surface of the head.
- a lapped surface is provided in order to provide control over the overwrap angle of the tape. See prior art FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a magnetic head 1000 equipped with a single groove 1002 , in accordance with one embodiment.
- the magnetic head 1000 is provided with a head body 1004 having a substantially rectangular configuration.
- the head body 1004 includes a top face 1006 , a bottom face 1008 , a pair of elongated side faces 1010 , and a pair of short end faces 1012 .
- At least one transducer 1016 is formed in communication with the top face 1006 of the head body 1004 .
- a closure 1018 with a substantially rectangular configuration.
- the closure 1018 has a length substantially equal to the head body 1004 . Further, the closure 1018 is coupled to a first one of the side faces 1010 of the head body 1004 coincident with the top face 1006 thereof.
- the single groove 1002 is formed in the top face 1006 of the head body 1004 , and extends between the transducers 1016 and a second one of the side faces 1010 .
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the groove 1002 taken along line 11 - 11 shown in FIG. 10 .
- the groove 1002 is defined by a first surface 1020 positioned in a plane substantially parallel with the side faces 1010 .
- Such first surface 1020 is defined by edges coincident with the top face 1006 and the end faces 1012 . Note FIG. 10 .
- the groove 1002 is further defined by a second surface 1022 positioned in a plane substantially parallel with the top and bottom faces ( 1006 and 1008 ).
- the second surface 1022 is defined by edges coincident with the first surface 1020 , the end faces 1012 and the second one of the side faces 1010 .
- the groove 1002 serves for providing a discontinuity edge 1100 . Moreover, the groove 1002 controls an overwrap angle of a tape sliding along the at least one transducer 1016 . This is accomplished by setting a depth of the groove 1002 which in turn selectively positions an outrigger edge 1102 . Both the discontinuity edge 1100 and the overwrap angle control are thus afforded with a single cut during the manufacturing process, thus reducing an overall cost in producing the head.
- FIG. 12 illustrates the head of FIGS. 10 and 11 in use, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, FIG. 12 illustrates the head of FIGS. 10 and 11 for a read-while-write bidirectional linear tape drive. “Read-while-write” means that the read transducer follows behind the write transducer. This arrangement allows the data just written by the write transducer to be immediately checked for accuracy and true recording by the following read transducer.
- FIG. 12 two heads 1275 and 1276 as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 are mounted on U-beams 1277 which are, in turn, adhesively coupled.
Abstract
A plurality of apparatuses and methods are provided for improving the manufacture and operational characteristics of thin magnetic film heads. Various embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for attaching a thin film head to a beam. Other embodiments of the present invention include a system, method and apparatus for dicing a thin film head on a wafer.
Description
- This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/938,458 to Biskeborn et al, filed Aug. 23, 2001.
- The present invention relates to thin-film recording heads, and more particularly, this invention relates to improving the manufacturing process of thin-film recording heads and the structure thereof.
- Conventional recording heads for linear tape drives have small transducers incorporated into a large head assembly to span the full width of the tape. For recording heads fabricated using thin-film wafer technology, this requires that the head either be fabricated individually on a wafer which is at least as wide as the recording tape and lapped individually to the proper shape, or be fabricated as a small part and assembled with larger pieces and the full assembly lapped individually to the proper shape.
- Prior art
FIG. 1 illustrates awafer 100 on which a plurality ofheads 102 may be manufactured. As shown, thewater 100 includes two columns of multiple rows ofheads 102. During the fabrication of thewafer 100, an array ofheads 102 including transducers and auxiliary circuits are fabricated on a common substrate in a deposition of metallic and non-metallic layers. The auxiliary circuits are sometimes referred to as electrical lap guides (ELGs). Patterning of the array of transducers and ELGs is accomplished using photolithography in combination with etching and lift-off processes. The finished array or wafer is then optically and electrically inspected and subsequently cut into smaller arrays ofheads 102. Next,individual heads 102 are machined, at asurface 106 which will eventually face the recording medium, to obtain a desired transducer height (sometimes referred to as the stripe height (SH) or to obtain a desired inductive transducer height sometimes referred to as the throat height (TH). - Prior art
FIG. 2 illustrates awafer 200 including a plurality of strips ofclosures 202 attached thereto.Such closures 202 define a plurality ofslots 204 in which theaforementioned contacts 206 associated with the ELGs reside.Stick closures 202 have recently become a common part of wafer processing in view of the benefits they afford in resultant heads. More information on the manufacture and use ofclosures 202 and the related benefits may be found with reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,883,770 and 5,905,613 which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. - Prior art
FIG. 3 illustrates one of theheads 300 set forth inFIG. 1 with aclosure 302 attached thereto. As shown, thepresent head 300 is detached from a wafer. Since thehead 300 is generated from a wafer structure, thehead 300 is extremely thin in shape and form. In order to increase the stability of thehead 300 for the suitable use thereof, thehead 300 must be attached to abeam 304 of some sort formed of a rigid material.Such beams 304 are often referred to as a “U-beams.” One stringent requirement in attaching thehead 300 to an associatedbeam 304 is that the relative position of thehead 300 andbeam 304 be precisely aligned. Absent such alignment, the operation of thehead 300 may be compromised. - There is thus a need for a method and apparatus for the precise attachment of a
head 300 and abeam 304. - Yet another problem arises when attempting to dice the
heads 300 on a wafer. In the prior art, a traditional magnetic head saw blade may be used to cut theheads 300 from the wafer. Recently, however, the use of theclosures 302 such as that shown inFIG. 3 has complicated such process. In particular, the increased thickness of the material to be cut has been increased since a slight portion of theclosure 302 must also be diced. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a priorart saw blade 400 in the process of dicing ahead 402 equipped with aclosure 404. As shown, the increased thickness of the combinedhead 402 andclosure 404 cause the blade to slightly bend due to the cutting forces resulting from cutting the additional material. This bending, in turn, results in non-planarity in the operating surface 406 of thehead 402. - There is thus a need for a method and apparatus capable of dicing a head equipped with a closure while maintaining the planarity of the head operating surface.
-
FIG. 5 is an end view illustration of one particular type of bidirectional tape head. As shown, ahead 560 is provided with a flat transducingsurface 561 and a row of transducers on the surface ofgap 562. Anelectrical connection cable 563 connects the transducers to the read/write channel of the associated tape drive. Alumina overcoat 564 protects the transducers and forms a slope discontinuity edge with respect to the flat transducingsurface 561. Aslope discontinuity edge 565 is formed parallel to thegap 562 at the side of the flat transducingsurface 561 opposite the gap surface. - To control the overwrap angle of the
tape 566 atedge 565, anoutrigger 567 is provided. Theoutrigger 567 may be formed by cutting agroove 568 in thehead 560. Ataper 569 may be lapped on theoutrigger 567, preferably at and angle about midway between the expected wrap angles the head will be presented with for various cartridges. The depth of thetaper 569 is controlled so that the line fromedge 565 toedge 570 is at the desired overwrap angle with respect to the flat transducingsurface 561. - The head penetration into the
tape 566 of a cartridge is controlled so that at theminimum wrap angle 571, the tape just touches theedge 570. Thus, for various cartridges, the tape wrap can move between the positions indicated by 571 and 572, while theoutrigger 567 maintains a constant wrap angle onto the flattransducing surface 561. More information on the head design shown inFIG. 5 may be found with reference to U.S. Pat. No.: 5,905,613, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - Unfortunately, the above design requires two actions to afford the accompanying benefits, namely the cutting of the
groove 568 and the lapping of thetaper 569. As is well known, each action that is required during the process of thin-film magnetic head manufacture creates much expense. - There is thus a need for a technique of affording the benefits of the
groove 568 and taper 569 ofFIG. 5 , with less of a manufacturing expense. - A plurality of apparatuses and methods are provided for improving the manufacture and operational characteristics of thin magnetic film heads. Various embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for attaching a thin film head to a beam. An apparatus for attaching a thin film head to a beam according to one embodiment includes a base; a head mounting assembly coupled to the base and including a head holder for holding a head; and a beam mounting assembly coupled to the base and including a beam holder for holding a beam; wherein the relative position of the head holder and beam holder is configurable along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further configurable in a θx direction, θy direction, and θz direction so that the head is precisely attached to the beam.
- A method for attaching a thin-film head to a beam according to one embodiment includes adjusting the relative position of a head holder and a beam holder along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further in a θx direction, θy direction, and θz direction, wherein the head holder is a component of a head mounting assembly pivotally coupled to a base and the beam holder is a component of a beam mounting assembly fixedly mounted to the base; attaching a head to the head holder of the head holder mounting assembly; attaching a beam to the beam holder of the beam mounting assembly; and pivoting the head holder relative to the beam holder for attaching the head to the beam.
- Other embodiments of the present invention include a system, method and apparatus for dicing a thin film head on a wafer. A system for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a wafer including a plurality of magnetic heads formed therein and a plurality of closures formed thereon; a saw blade with a substantially thin circular configuration having a planar first face, a second face, and a serrated periphery, the saw blade having a first thickness and a first diameter; and a thickened portion with a substantially disk-shaped configuration integrally coupled to the first face of the saw, the thickened portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness and a second diameter less than ½ the first diameter; wherein the thickened portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating the magnetic heads from the wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
- An apparatus for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer according to one embodiment includes a saw blade including: an outer portion with a substantially circular configuration having a periphery and a first thickness, and an inner portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the outer portion. The inner portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating magnetic heads from a wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
- A method for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer according to one embodiment of the present invention includes activating a saw blade including: an outer portion with a substantially circular configuration having a serrated periphery ad a first thickness, and an inner portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the outer portion. A thin-film head on a wafer is diced utilizing the saw blade; wherein the inner portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating magnetic heads from a wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
- Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
- For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
- Prior art
FIG. 1 illustrates a wafer on which a plurality of heads may be manufactured. - Prior art
FIG. 2 illustrates a wafer including a plurality of strips of closures attached thereto. - Prior art
FIG. 3 illustrates one of the heads set forth inFIG. 1 with a closure attached thereto. - Prior art
FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art saw blade in the process of dicing a head equipped with a closure. - Prior art
FIG. 5 is an end view illustration of a particular type of prior art bidirectional tape head. -
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an apparatus for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam. -
FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view showing the various components of the apparatus ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 6B illustrates a method for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a strengthened saw blade capable of affording heads with a planar operating surface, in accordance with one embodiment. -
FIG. 8 is a side view of the saw blade taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 shows the saw blade ofFIGS. 7 and 8 while dicing heads on an accompanying wafer. -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a magnetic head equipped with a single groove, in accordance with one embodiment. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the groove taken along line 11-11 shown inFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 illustrates the head ofFIGS. 10 and 11 in use, in accordance with one embodiment. - The following description is the best embodiment presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein.
- Beam and Magnetic Head Bonding Apparatus
-
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of anapparatus 600 for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam. As will soon become apparent, this is accomplished by allowing relative alignment of the head and the beam insize directions 601.Such directions 601 are shown in the lower right-hand corner ofFIG. 6 . For further detail regarding the components of thepresent apparatus 600 ofFIG. 6 .FIG. 6A illustrates an exploded view showing the various components along with the associated fasteners, couplings, etc. of theapparatus 600. - In the context of the present embodiment, a head may refer to any magnetic head capable of operating (i.e. reading, writing, etc.) in conjunction with a tape. Further, the beam may refer to any rigid support that may be attached to the head for support purposes. In one embodiment, the beam may take the form of a “U-beam.”
- A
base 602 is provided including ahead mounting assembly 604 positioned thereon. Thehead mounting assembly 604 includes a pair ofstanchions 606 fixedly mounted on a first side of thebase 602. Apivot arm 608 is provided having a first end pivotally coupled to thestanchions 606 about an axis parallel with an x-axis. Seedirections 601. Thepivot arm 608 further has a second end with ahandle 610 and ahead holder 612 coupled thereto for securely and precisely receiving a head thereon. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , thehead holder 612 is attached to aplate 618 which is in turn screwably coupled to the second end of thepivot arm 608 for allowing the placement of ashim 620 between theplate 618 and the second end of thepivot arm 608. The use of theshim 620 in this manner allows the adjustment of the head in a θz direction. Seedirections 601. - The
bead mounting assembly 604 further includes avacuum assembly 614 coupled to thebead holder 612 via ahose 616. Optionally, thevacuum assembly 614 includes gauges and a control switch for controlling purposes. In use, thevacuum assembly 614 serves for securing a head thereto utilizing a vacuum, in a manner that will soon become apparent. - As an option, a lever (not shown) may be provided for facilitating the extraction of the head from the
head holder 612. In use, the lever may be used to eject the head against the force of the vacuum. As yet another option, thepivot arm 608 may be biased against one of thestanchions 606 in order to abate any “play” in the pivoting of thepivot arm 608. This is done to ensure no movement in any direction other than the pivoting action about an axis parallel to the x-axis. - Also provided is a
beam mounting assembly 622 including asupport member 624 having afirst portion 626 with a rectangular configuration having a first height. Thesupport member 624 of thebeam mounting assembly 622 is fixedly mounted on a second side of thebase 602. Thesupport member 624 is positioned long an axis parallel with the x-axis. Thesupport member 624 further includes asecond portion 628 with a rectangular configuration having a second height greater than the first height. Thesecond portion 628 of thesupport member 624 is fixedly mounted to the base 602 adjacent to thefirst portion 626 of thesupport member 624. - The
beam mounting assembly 622 further includes abeam holder 630 positioned on a top surface of thesecond portion 628 of thesupport member 624. Thebeam holder 630 includes a pair of short end edges and a pair of long side edges. Thebeam holder 630 is adapted for receiving abeam 632 thereon. - The
beam holder 630 includes anx-axis stopper 634 positioned at a first one of the short end edges of thebeam holder 630 for abutting thebeam 632 when positioned on thebeam holder 630. It should be noted that thebeam holder 630 is slidably coupled to the top surface of thesecond portion 628 of thesupport member 624 in a direction parallel to the x-axis. By this structure adjustment of thebeam 632 is permitted along the x-axis. As an option, such sliding may be controlled by use of ascrew 636 that is rotatably coupled to thesupport member 624 and screwably coupled to thebeam holder 630. - An
intermediate member 638 of thebeam mounting assembly 622 is equipped with a size and shape substantially similar to thefirst portion 626 of thesupport member 624. If use, theintermediate member 638 is adapted for being positioned on top of thefirst portion 626 of thesupport member 624 and further along a side of thesecond portion 628 of thesupport member 624. - The
intermediate member 638 includes a pair of smooth holes formed at ends thereof in parallel with a y-axis. SeeFIG. 6A . Such smooth holes are sized for loosely receiving a pair ofscrews 640 which are in turn screwably coupled to a side of thesecond portion 628 with at least oneshim 642 therebetween. The augmented size of the holes is adapted for allowing adjustment of thebeam 632 along the y-axis and in a θx direction by way of theshim 642. Seedirections 601. - The
intermediate member 638 further includes a pair of threaded holes (seeFIG. 6A ) formed completely therethrough at ends thereof each along an axis parallel with a z-axis for screwably receiving a pair ofscrews 644. Such screws abut a top of thefirst portion 626 of thesupport member 624 for allowing adjustment of thebeam 632 along the y-axis and in a θy direction. - Still yet, the
beam mounting assembly 622 includes anupper member 646 having alower slider segment 648 with a rectangular configuration. Thelower slider segment 648 of theupper member 646 of thebean mounting assembly 622 is slidably coupled to a top of theintermediate member 638 along an axis parallel with the y-axis. Such slidable coupling is preferably controlled by way of ascrew 649. - This may be accomplished by positioning the
lower slider segment 648 in a track formed in theintermediate member 638. Further, a rotatable coupling may be provided between thescrew 649 and any fixed portion of the base 602 orsupport member 624. Moreover, a screwable coupling may be provided between thescrew 649 and thelower slider segment 648. Of course, any other means of accomplishing the same may be employed. - An
upper pivoting segment 650 of theupper member 646 is pivotally coupled at afirst side 652 thereof to thelower slider segment 648. Such coupling is performed formed about an axis parallel with the z-axis. Theupper pivoting segment 650 further has asecond side 654 defining a y-axis stopper for abutting thebeam 632 along a first one of the long side edges of thebeam holder 630. By this design, macro adjustment of thebeam 632 is afforded along the y-axis. - As an option a spring 655 (see
FIG. 6A ) may be coupled between theupper pivoting segment 650 and thelower slider segment 648. Such spring serves for biasing the second side of theupper pivoting segment 650 away from thebeam 632. Associated therewith is ascrew 656 screwably coupled to an arm extending from thelower slider segment 648. In use, thescrew 656 may be used for abutting theupper pivoting segment 650 to selectively determine an extent to which theupper pivoting segment 650 pivots toward thebeam 632. This in turn allows micro adjustment of thebeam 632 along the y-axis. - Yet another component of the present embodiment is a pair of
stabilizers 660 each with afirst end 661 having a spring-biasedpin 662 mounted therein and anintermediate portion 663 pivotally coupled to thebase 602 along an axis parallel with the z-axis. Asecond end 664 of each of thestabilizers 660 is slidably situated on a top surface of thebase 602. Such second end is adapted for being fixed with respect to thebase 602 via aclamp 667. - The
stabilizers 660 includes afirst stabilizer 668 with thepin 662 thereof adapted for abutting thebeam 632 along a second one of the long side edges of thebeam holder 630. Asecond stabilizer 670 is provided with thepin 662 thereof adapted for abutting thebeam 632 along a second one of the short end edges of thebeam holder 630. - In use, the
head mounting assembly 604 is adapted for attaching the head secured in thehead holder 612 with thebeam 632 secured in thebeam holder 630 upon the pivoting of thelead mounting assembly 604. Prior to pivoting, thebeam 632 and head may be precisely aligned along six (6) degrees of freedom, namely along an x-axis, y-axis, z-axis, θx direction, θy direction, and θz direction. -
FIG. 6B illustrates amethod 6000 for precisely attaching a thin-film head to a beam. In one embodiment, thepresent method 6000 may be carried out in the context of the forgoingapparatus 600. Of course, however, thepresent method 6000 may also be implemented in the context of any desired machine. - Initially, in operation 6002, the relative position of a head holder and beam holder is adjusted along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further in a θx direction, θy direction, and θz direction. As mentioned earlier, such adjustment is carried out so that the head is precisely attached to the beam. Next, in
operation 6004, a head is attached to the head holder of the head holder mounting assembly. This may be accomplished utilizing a vacuum assembly, or any other desired mechanism. - Next, a beam is attached to the beam holder of the beam mounting assembly. Note
operation 6006. The head holder is then pivoted relative to the beam holder for attaching the head to the beam. Seeoperation 6008. It should be noted that the vacuum assembly may be disengaged at this point. - Improved Saw Blade Apparatus
-
FIGS. 7 through 8 illustrate arigid saw blade 700 for dicing a thin-film head from a wafer in a manner that prevents non-planarity in a surface on which the transducers of the head operate on an associated tape. As mentioned earlier during reference to prior artFIG. 4 , conventional saw blades are subject to bending due to the increased thickness of the wafer resulting from the use of closures. This bending of the saw blade, in turn, results in non-planar head surfaces which affords less than optional operational characteristics. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of asaw blade 700, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, thesaw blade 700 is equipped with a substantially thin circular configuration. Thesaw blade 700 further has aserrated periphery 702 for cutting heads from an accompanying wafer. As will soon become apparent, thesaw blade 700 includes anouter portion 704 and a thickenedinner portion 706 each with a disk-shaped configuration. As shown inFIG. 7 , the thickenedinner portion 706 has a diameter less than ½ the diameter of theouter portion 704. -
FIG. 8 is a side view of thesaw blade 700 taken along line 8-8 ofFIG. 7 . As shown, thesaw blade 700 has a planarfirst face 710 and asecond face 712. The planarfirst face 710 has the thickenedinner portion 706 of thesaw blade 700 integrally attached thereto. Further, theouter portion 704 has a first thickness while the thickenedinner portion 706 has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. In one embodiment, the first thickness is at least twice the second thickness. -
FIG. 9 shows thesaw blade 700 ofFIGS. 7 and 8 while dicing heads 900 on an accompanyingwafer 902. As shown,such heads 900 are equipped withclosures 904. In the context of the present description, aclosure 904 may include any member integrally, adhesively or otherwise attached to ahead 900 for enlarging an operating surface thereof. In operation, thesaw blade 700 is adapted for cutting thewafer 902 along one of theclosures 904 such that a surface of one of theheads 900 is exposed in coplanar relationship with a surface of theclosure 904 attached thereto. - As shown in
FIG. 9 , the diameter of the thickenedinner portion 706 is such that the thickenedinner portion 706 resides on a side of thesaw blade 700 opposite theclosure 904 when cutting, thewafer 902. This results in the thickenedinner portion 706 extending within a gap defined by theclosures 904. - By this design, the
saw blade 700 is supported by the thickenedinner portion 706 and resists any forces that would cause thesaw blade 700 to bend. To this end, the surfaces of the resultingheads 900 are substantially planar, and thus exhibit improved operational characteristics. - Single Groove Magnetic Head
-
FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a magnetic head with a single groove formed therein for accomplishing the benefits of prior art magnetic head devices. As mentioned earlier, prior art magnetic head devices include an intermediate groove to afford a discontinuity edge adjacent the operating surface of the head. Moreover, a lapped surface is provided in order to provide control over the overwrap angle of the tape. See prior artFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a magnetic head 1000 equipped with a single groove 1002, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, the magnetic head 1000 is provided with ahead body 1004 having a substantially rectangular configuration. Thehead body 1004 includes atop face 1006, abottom face 1008, a pair of elongated side faces 1010, and a pair of short end faces 1012. At least onetransducer 1016 is formed in communication with thetop face 1006 of thehead body 1004. - Also provided is a
closure 1018 with a substantially rectangular configuration. Theclosure 1018 has a length substantially equal to thehead body 1004. Further, theclosure 1018 is coupled to a first one of the side faces 1010 of thehead body 1004 coincident with thetop face 1006 thereof. The single groove 1002 is formed in thetop face 1006 of thehead body 1004, and extends between thetransducers 1016 and a second one of the side faces 1010. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the groove 1002 taken along line 11-11 shown inFIG. 10 . As shown, the groove 1002 is defined by afirst surface 1020 positioned in a plane substantially parallel with the side faces 1010. Suchfirst surface 1020 is defined by edges coincident with thetop face 1006 and the end faces 1012. NoteFIG. 10 . - The groove 1002 is further defined by a
second surface 1022 positioned in a plane substantially parallel with the top and bottom faces (1006 and 1008). Thesecond surface 1022 is defined by edges coincident with thefirst surface 1020, the end faces 1012 and the second one of the side faces 1010. - In use, the groove 1002 serves for providing a discontinuity edge 1100. Moreover, the groove 1002 controls an overwrap angle of a tape sliding along the at least one
transducer 1016. This is accomplished by setting a depth of the groove 1002 which in turn selectively positions an outrigger edge 1102. Both the discontinuity edge 1100 and the overwrap angle control are thus afforded with a single cut during the manufacturing process, thus reducing an overall cost in producing the head. -
FIG. 12 illustrates the head ofFIGS. 10 and 11 in use, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown,FIG. 12 illustrates the head ofFIGS. 10 and 11 for a read-while-write bidirectional linear tape drive. “Read-while-write” means that the read transducer follows behind the write transducer. This arrangement allows the data just written by the write transducer to be immediately checked for accuracy and true recording by the following read transducer. - Specifically, in
FIG. 12 , twoheads FIGS. 10 and 11 are mounted on U-beams 1277 which are, in turn, adhesively coupled. The wrap angle onto theflat transducing surfaces tape 1280 is creased is created by theU-beams 1277. - While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitations. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims (26)
1. An apparatus for attaching a thin-film head to a beam, comprising:
a base;
a head mounting assembly including:
a pair of stanchions fixedly mounted on a first side of the base,
a pivot arm having a first end pivotally coupled to the stanchions about an axis parallel with an x-axis and a second end with a handle and a head holder coupled thereto, and
a vacuum assembly coupled to the head holder for securing a head thereto utilizing a vacuum, the head holder including a plate screwably coupled to the second end of the pivot arm for allowing the placement of a shim between the the plate and the second end of the pivot arm for allowing adjustment of the head in a θz direction;
a beam mounting assembly including:
a support member having a first portion with a rectangular configuration with a first height fixedly mounted on a second side of the base along an axis parallel with the x-axis and a second portion with a rectangular configuration with a second height greater than the first height fixedly mounted to the base adjacent to the first portion of the support member, a beam holder positioned on a top surface of the second portion of the support member, the beam holder including a pair of short end edges and a pair of long side edges for receiving a beam thereon, the beam holder having an x-axis stopper positioned at a first one of the short end edges for abutting the beam when positioned on the beam holder, the beam holder slidably coupled to the top surface of the second portion of the support member in a direction parallel to the x-axis for allowing adjustment of the beam along the x-axis,
an intermediate member with a size and shape substantially similar to the first portion of the support member for being positioned on top of the first portion of the support member along a side of the second portion of the support member, the intermediate member including a pair of smooth holes formed therein in parallel with a y-axis for loosely receiving a pair of screws which are in turn screwably coupled to a side of the second portion with at least one shim therebetween for allowing adjustment of the bean along the y-axis and in a θx direction, the intermediate member including a pair of threaded holes formed therein along an axis parallel with a z-axis for screwably receiving a pair of screws which abut a top of the first portion of the support member thus allowing adjustment of the beam along the y-axis and in a θy direction, and
an upper member including a lower slider segment with a rectangular configuration slidably coupled to a top of the intermediate member along an axis parallel with the y-axis, and an upper pivoting segment pivotally coupled at a first side thereof to the lever slider segment about an axis parallel with the z-axis for allowing macro adjustment of the beam along the y-axis the upper pivoting segment having a second side defining a y-axis stopper for abutting the beam along a first one of the long side edges of the beam holder a spring coupled between the upper pivoting segment and the lower slider segment for biasing the second side of the upper pivoting segment away from the beam and a screw screwably coupled to an arm extending from the lower slider segment for abutting the upper pivoting segment to determine an extent to which the upper pivoting segment pivots toward the beam thus allowing micro adjustment of the beam along the y-axis; and
a pair of stabilizers each including a first end having a spring-biased pin mounted therein, an intermediate portion pivotally coupled to the base along an axis parallel with the z-axis, and a second end slidably situated on a top surface of the base for allowing the second end to be fixed with respect to the base via a clamp, the stabilizers including a first stabilizer with the pin thereof adapted for abutting the beam along a second one of the long side edges of the beam holder and a second stabilizer with the pin thereof adapted for abutting the beam along a second one of the short end edges of the beam holder;
wherein the head mounting assembly is adapted for abutting the head secured in the head holder with the beam secured in the beam holder upon the pivoting of the head mounting assembly, whereby the beam and head are precisely aligned along size (6) degrees of freedom.
2. An apparatus for attaching, a thin-film head to a beam, comprising:
a base;
a head mounting assembly coupled to the base and including a head holder for holding a head; and
a beam mounting assembly coupled to the base and including a beam holder for holding a beam;
wherein the relative position of the head holder and beam holder is configurable along art x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further configurable in a θx direction, θy direction, and θz direction so that the head is precisely attached to the beam.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the head mounting assembly is pivotally coupled to the base for selectively attaching the head to the beam.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the head holder is adjustably attached to the head mounting assembly for allowing adjustment of the head holder in the θz direction relative to the beam holder.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4 , wherein the head holder is adjustable utilizing a shim.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the beam mounting assembly includes a first member adjustably coupled with respect to the base for allowing adjustment of the beam holder along the y-axis and in the θx direction relative to the head holder.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 , wherein the first member is adjustable utilizing a shim and at least one screw.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 , wherein the beam mounting assembly includes a second member pivotally coupled to the first member for allowing adjustment of the beam holder along the y-axis relative to the head holder.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8 , wherein the second member is biased away from the beam holder utilizing a spring, and the extent to which the second member is biased is controlled utilizing a screw.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 6 , wherein the beam mounting assembly includes a second member pivotally coupled to the first member for allowing adjustment of the beam holder along the y-axis relative to the head holder.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the beam holder is slidably coupled with respect to the base for allowing adjustment of the beam holder along the x-axis relative to the head holder.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein the bean mounting assembly includes a x-stop and a y-stop abutting the beam.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12 , and further comprising a pair of stabilizers for forcing the beam against the x-stop and the y-stop.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 , wherein the stabilizers are pivotally coupled to the base.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 , wherein the stabilizers are selectively clamped to the base.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 14 , wherein the stabilizers each include a spring-biased pin for engaging the beam.
17. A method for attaching a thin-film head to a beam, comprising:
adjusting the relative position of a head holder and a beam holder along an x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis and further in a θx direction, θy direction, and θz direction wherein the head holder is a component of a head mounting assembly pivotally coupled to a base and the beam holder is a component of a beam mounting assembly fixedly mounted to the base;
attaching a head to the head holder of the head holder mounting assembly;
attaching a beam to the beam holder of the beam mounting assembly; and
pivoting the head holder relative to the beam holder for attaching the head to the beam.
18. A system for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer, comprising:
a wafer including a plurality of magnetic heads formed therein and a plurality of closures formed thereon;
a saw blade with a substantially thin circular configuration having a planar first face, a second face, and a serrated periphery, the saw blade having a first thickness and a first diameter; and
a thickened portion with a substantially disk-shaped configuration integrally coupled to the first face of the saws the thickened portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness and a second diameter less than ½ the first diameter;
wherein the thickened portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating the magnetic heads from the wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
19. An apparatus for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer, comprising:
a saw blade including:
an outer portion with a substantially circular configuration having a periphery and a first thickness, and
an inner portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the outer portion;
wherein the inner portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating magnetic heads from a wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the saw has a thin circular configuration having a first face with the inner portion protruding therefrom and a planar second face.
21. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the inner portion has a diameter less than a diameter of the outer portion.
22. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the inner portion has a diameter less than ½ of a diameter of the outer portion.
23. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the inner portion is integrally coupled to the outer portion.
24. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the saw blade is constructed from a rigid material.
25. The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein the periphery of the outer portion is serrated.
26. A method for dicing a thin-film head on a wafer, comprising:
activating a saw blade including:
an outer portion with a substantially circular configuration having a serrated periphery and a first thickness, and
an inner portion with a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the outer portion; and
dicing a thin-film head on a water utilizing the saw blade;
wherein the inner portion is adapted for maintaining a rigidity of the saw blade when separating magnetic heads from a wafer such that the magnetic heads each have a planar operating surface.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/559,311 US20070094866A1 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2006-11-13 | Thin-film tape head processes |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/938,458 US7161764B2 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2001-08-23 | Thin-film tape head having single groove formed in head body and corresponding process |
US11/559,311 US20070094866A1 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2006-11-13 | Thin-film tape head processes |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/938,458 Division US7161764B2 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2001-08-23 | Thin-film tape head having single groove formed in head body and corresponding process |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20070094866A1 true US20070094866A1 (en) | 2007-05-03 |
Family
ID=25471480
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/938,458 Expired - Fee Related US7161764B2 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2001-08-23 | Thin-film tape head having single groove formed in head body and corresponding process |
US11/559,311 Abandoned US20070094866A1 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2006-11-13 | Thin-film tape head processes |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/938,458 Expired - Fee Related US7161764B2 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2001-08-23 | Thin-film tape head having single groove formed in head body and corresponding process |
Country Status (1)
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US (2) | US7161764B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20080177242A1 (en) * | 2005-03-17 | 2008-07-24 | Dow Global Technologies Inc. | Compositions of ethylene/alpha-olefin multi-block interpolymer for elastic films and laminates |
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US7161764B2 (en) * | 2001-08-23 | 2007-01-09 | International Business Machines Corporation | Thin-film tape head having single groove formed in head body and corresponding process |
US7193813B2 (en) * | 2002-09-26 | 2007-03-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Angled flat-type recording head designed for near-constant resolution at varying type velocities |
US6863061B2 (en) * | 2003-01-15 | 2005-03-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Row slicing method in tape head fabrication |
US20070103812A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-05-10 | Biskeborn Robert G | Magnetic head closure bond using metal adhesion |
US20080068750A1 (en) * | 2006-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Planar Write Module And Hybrid Planar Write-Vertical Read Bidirectional Tape Head |
US20080068752A1 (en) * | 2006-09-19 | 2008-03-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Planar Bidirectional Tape Head With Planar Read And Write Elements |
US7978429B2 (en) * | 2006-09-19 | 2011-07-12 | International Business Machines Corporation | Low track pitch write module and bidirectional tape head |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US7161764B2 (en) | 2007-01-09 |
US20030039070A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, NEW Y Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BISKEBORN, ROBERT GLENN;DESHPANDE, ANNAYYA P.;LO, CALVIN S.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:018887/0313;SIGNING DATES FROM 20011116 TO 20011126 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO PAY ISSUE FEE |