Within-row stripe height and wedge angle control for magnetic recording read-write heads

A method for lapping a row-bar of magnetic read-write head sliders wherein each head slider comprises a reader element and a writer element, wherein said row-bar has an x-axis along the direction of the row and a y-axis along the direction of a reader-writer offset associated with said head sliders in said row-bar, the method comprising:

• affixing said row-bar to a lapping mount tool fixture;
• independently actuating each of a plurality of first actuation pins, of said lapping mount tool, corresponding to a respective head slider of said row-bar, thereby setting each said head slider of said row-bar for lapping to a respective element target stripe height;
• and
• simultaneously lapping each said head slider of said row-bar according to each said respective element target stripe height.

A magnetic read-write head slider prepared from a row of magnetic read-write head sliders wherein each head slider comprises a reader element and a writer element, wherein said row has an x-axis along the direction of the row and a y-axis along the direction of a reader-writer offset associated with said head sliders in said row, said read-write head slider prepared by a process comprising:

• affixing said row to a lapping mount tool fixture;
• actuating each of a plurality of first actuation pins of said lapping mount tool, thereby setting each said head slider of said row for lapping to a respective element target stripe height;
• and
• simultaneously lapping each said head slider according to each said respective element target stripe height;
• actuating each of a plurality of second actuation pins housed within a first structural member of said lapping mount tool which, based on a virtual intersection of a first flexure and a second flexure that interconnect said first structural member with a second structural member of said lapping mount tool and defines an axis of rotation about an x-axis associated with said row, applies an angular lapping force through each said second actuation pin to a corresponding head slider about said axis of rotation, thereby setting each said head slider of said row for lapping to a respective target wedge angle;
• and
• simultaneously lapping each said head slider according to each said respective target wedge angle.

A data storage device comprising:

• one or more recording disk medium rotatably mounted on a spindle;
• a read-write head slider comprising a read-write transducer configured to read from and to write to at least one of said one or more disk medium;
• and
• a voice coil actuator configured to move said head slider to access portions of said at least one disk medium;
• wherein said read-write head slider is prepared from a row of magnetic read-write head sliders wherein each head slider comprises a reader element and a writer element, wherein said row has an x-axis along the direction of the row and a y-axis along the direction of a reader-writer offset associated with said head sliders in said row, said read-write head slider prepared by a process comprising:
• affixing said row to a lapping mount tool fixture;
• actuating each of a plurality of first actuation pins of said lapping mount tool, thereby setting each said head slider of said row for lapping to a respective element target stripe height;
• and
• simultaneously lapping each said head slider according to each said respective element target stripe height;
• actuating each of a plurality of second actuation pins housed within a first structural member of said lapping mount tool which, based on a virtual intersection of a first flexure and a second flexure that interconnect said first structural member with a second structural member of said lapping mount tool and defines an axis of rotation about an x-axis associated with said row, applies an angular lapping force through each said second actuation pin to a corresponding head slider about said axis of rotation, thereby setting each said head slider of said row for lapping to a respective target wedge angle;
• and
• simultaneously lapping each said head slider according to each said respective target wedge angle.

A lapping tool assembly comprising:

• a lapping mount tool comprising:
• a rotatable first structural member housing a plurality of angular actuation pins each positioned to apply an angular lapping force to a corresponding head slider of a row-bar of magnetic read-write head sliders, said first structural member comprising a fixture for holding said row-bar;
• a second structural member coupled with said first structural member via a first flexure and a second flexure, said second structural member housing a plurality of stripe height actuation pins each positioned to apply a lapping force to a corresponding head slider of said row-bar;
• and
• a third structural member coupled with said second structural member via a third flexure and a fourth flexure;
• and
• a base part comprising a plurality of pins each of which, when engaged with said lapping mount tool, is positioned within a corresponding pocket associated with a group of adjacent stripe height actuation pins of said second structural member, thereby limiting displacement of the stripe height actuation pins.

A lapping tool for lapping a row-bar of magnetic read head sliders, the lapping tool comprising:

• means for affixing said row-bar to a lapping mount tool fixture;
• means for independently actuating each of a plurality of first actuation mechanisms corresponding to a respective head slider of said row-bar to set each said head slider for lapping to a respective element target stripe height;
• and
• means for simultaneously lapping each head slider according to each said respective element target stripe height.