David T Gutowski

US Patent:

58851313, Mar 23, 1999

Filed:

May 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/861997

Inventors:

Michael H. Azarian - Wallingford PA
Michael A. Baldwinson - Santa Clara CA
David T. Gutowski - Penacook NH
Harold J. Hamilton - Santa Clara CA
James P. Hennessy - San Jose CA
Mark W. Parcher - Fremont CA
Kenneth K. H. Tang - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Censtor Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

B24B 4902
B24B 4910

US Classification:

451 5

Abstract:

An interactive device for lapping transducers has a body with an abrasive surface that communicates with the transducers in order to provide information for controlling the lapping and testing the transducers. The lapping body is preferably shaped as a disk, drum or tape, and communicates with the transducer using a type of signal that the transducer is designed to read and/or write. Thus for lapping a magnetic head or slider to be employed in a hard disk drive, the lapping body contains a magnetic medium layer that is either prerecorded or written by the head during lapping, while the signal received by the head is monitored and analyzed by a processor in order to determine, in part, when to terminate lapping. A series of transducers can be simultaneously lapped while individually monitored, so that each transducer can be removed from the lapping body individually upon receipt of a signal indicating that transducer has been lapped an optimal amount. Transducers for employment in drive systems can also be tested for performance characteristics by utilizing lapping bodies having surface characteristics similar to those found in the drive system.

US Patent:

56326696, May 27, 1997

Filed:

May 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/452041

Inventors:

Michael H. Azarian - Cupertino CA
Michael A. Baldwinson - Cupertino CA
David T. Gutowski - Santa Cruz CA
Harold J. Hamilton - Santa Clara CA
James P. Hennessy - Campbell CA
Mark W. Parcher - Fremont CA
Kenneth K. H. Tang - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Censtor Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

B24B 4902
B24B 4910

US Classification:

451 54

Abstract:

An interactive system for lapping transducers has an abrasive surface that communicates with the transducers in order to provide information for controlling the lapping and testing the transducers. The lapping body is preferably shaped as a disk, drum or tape, and communicates with the transducer with a type of signal that the transducer is designed to read and/or write. Thus for lapping a magnetic head or slider to be employed in a hard disk drive, the lapping body contains a magnetic medium layer that is either prerecorded or written by the head during lapping, while the signal received by the head is monitored and analyzed by a processor in order to determine, in part, when to terminate lapping. A series of transducers can be simultaneously lapped while individually monitored, so that each transducer can be removed from the lapping body individually upon receipt of a signal indicating that transducer has been lapped an optimal amount. Transducers for employment in drive systems can also be tested for performance characteristics by utilizing lapping bodies having surface characteristics similar to those found in the drive system.