Slider-disk interactions during the load-unload process

The issue of slider-disk contact during the loading process is investigated. The effects of initial altitude, pitch, and roll are studied by using the LDV (laser Doppler vibrometer). The relative displacement of the slider with respect to the disk and the change of pitch and roll during the loading process are obtained for the 3380-type slider and the thin-film disk. The effect of the loading location of the disk is studied. LDV and AE (acoustic emission) measurements are carried out to detect possible slider-disk contacts during the loading process. The AE signal shows some bursts which have the slider ringing-frequency components. But by comparing the AE signal with the LDV results before and after lubricating the gap between the pivot and suspension, the sources of the AE bursts are found to be the normal contact and slip between the pivot and suspension. It is therefore concluded that carrying out the load-unload process of the positive pressure slider using a mechanism which actuates the middle part of the suspension is a suitable solution to high stiction and friction problems that can develop in the contact-start-stop process