Multipoint bending apparatus for lapping heads of a data storage device

A lapping device comprising:

• a lapping surface;
• a carrier to support a bar relative to the lapping surface;
• support member to support the carrier relative to the lapping surface;
• an actuator device to adjust a profile of the carrier, said actuator device including:
• actuator members operably coupled to the carrier;
• and
• a bidirectional driver operably coupled to the actuator members for bidirectionally moving the actuator members to adjust the profile of the carrier.

A lapping device comprising:

• a lapping surface;
• a carrier to support a bar relative to the lapping surface;
• support member to support the carrier relative to the lapping surface;
• an actuator device for adjusting a profile of the carrier, said actuator device including:
• a diaphragm operably coupled to a pressure source for bidirectional actuation;
• a vertical armature extending in vertical alignment relative to the lapping surface, operably coupled to the carrier and the diaphragm for adjusting the profile of the carrier;
• and
• means for operably coupling the vertical armature to the diaphragm to adjust the profile of the carrier.

An actuator device comprising:

• a base;
• an actuation member operably coupled to the base;
• and
• sealed opposed actuation chambers formed in the base, the actuation chambers being coupled to a pressure supply and operably coupled to the actuation member for bidirectional actuation, said actuation member having a portion located in a chamber separate from the sealed actuation chambers for coupling the actuation member to transmit actuation force.

A method for lapping a surface comprising:

• providing a lapping device having a carrier supported relative to a lapping surface;
• providing an actuation system coupled to the carrier, said actuation system including a plurality of spaced actuators, said actuators being coupled to a pressure source for bidirectional actuation;
• coupling a bar for lapping to the carrier;
• supplying pressure to the actuators to operate the actuators for desired bending of the carrier;
• and
• lapping the bar to a desired lapped profile.