Unified suspension laminate

A suspension comprising an integral, continuous laminate and a gimbal, wherein the integral, continuous laminate comprises:

• an actuator arm portion;
• a pre-load portion integrally connected to the actuator arm portion, the pre-load portion being thinner than the actuator arm portion;
• a beam portion integrally connected to the pre-load portion, the beam portion comprising means for attaching a gimbal thereto;
• and
• a lift tab portion integrally connected to the beam portion;
• and wherein the actuator arm portion, the pre-load portion, the beam portion, and the lift tab portion jointly form a single integral and continuous component, and wherein the gimbal is mounted on the beam portion;
• wherein the integral, continuous laminate comprises an upper layer comprising a first material, a central layer comprising a second material, and a lower layer comprising the first material;
• and
• wherein the actuator arm and at least a portion of the lift tab comprise the upper layer, the central layer, and the lower layer, and the pre-load portion and beam portion comprise the lower layer without the upper layer or the central layer.

A data storage system comprising:

• a deck;
• a media surface configured to be rotatably mounted adjacent to the deck;
• a suspension comprising an integral, continuous laminate and a gimbal mounted thereon, the suspension being rotatably mounted on the deck;
• and
• a head-bearing slider mounted on the gimbal and configured to be suspended therefrom above the media surface;
• wherein the integral, continuous laminate is selectively etched to form an actuator arm portion, a pre-load portion integrally connected to the actuator arm portion, and a beam portion integrally connected to the pre-load portion, wherein the pre-load portion is thinner than the actuator arm portion and configured to apply a pre-load force toward the media surface, and the beam portion is configured for attaching the gimbal thereto;
• wherein the integral, continuous laminate comprises an upper layer comprising a first material, a central layer comprising a second material, and a lower layer comprising the first material;
• and
• wherein the actuator arm and at least a portion of the lift tab comprise portions of the upper layer, the central layer, and the lower layer, and the pre-load portion and beam portion comprise portions of the lower layer without the upper layer or the central layer.