Lapping head with a sensor device on the rotating lapping head

A lapping assembly comprising:

• a lapping head including a base structure coupled to a drive motor through a rotatable shaft, the base structure is configured to support one or more workpieces against an abrasive lapping surface;
• a sensor device disposed in a no-conductive ring inset in the base structure of the lapping head;
• and
• an electrical connector comprising a rotatable portion coupled to a distal end of the rotatable shaft and a stationary portion electrically coupled to one or more electronic components or circuitry that are separate from the lapping head and configured to process input from the sensor device, wherein the rotatable portion and the stationary portion together provide an electrical interface between the sensor element on the lapping head and the one or more electronic components or circuitry.

A lapping assembly comprising:

• a lapping head including a base plate coupled to a proximal end of a rotating shaft to support one or more workpieces against an abrasive lapping surface on a platen;
• a gap measurement sensor including a sensor element that is inset in an opening of the base plate coaxially aligned with the rotatable shaft, the sensor element is configured to measure a gap between the sensor element and the abrasive lapping surface on the platen;
• and
• an electrical connector comprising a rotatable portion coupled to a distal end of the rotating shaft and a stationary portion electrically coupled to one or more electronic components or circuitry that are separate from the lapping head and configures to process input from the sensor element, wherein the rotatable portion and the atationary portion together provide an electrical interface between the sensor element on the rotating lapping head and the one or more electronic components or circuitry.