Study of media design on acoustic emission and take-off velocity by using the Taguchi method

This paper presents the results obtained from the optimization of disk design parameters to achieve the less acoustic emission (AE) signal and take-off velocity (TOV), and the steady and less stiction performance by using Taguchi experimental design with a four-factor three-level (L9) orthogonal array. The factors considered were laser bump height (BH), bump spacing (BS), overcoat type, and lubricant thickness. BH is the most significant factor and its percentage contribution is 86% on AE signal and 72% on TOV, respectively. The lower AE signal was obtained from the higher BH, lower BS, and lower lubricant thickness, over the design range. On the other hand, the lower TOV was obtained from the lower BH and lower BS. Overcoat type is not a significant factor to affect the AE signal and TOV.