Dual-purpose lapping guide for the production of magneto-resistive heads
US6758722B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG11B2005/3996
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An integrated lapping guide (ILG) is described including at least one read-head and an electronic lapping guide (ELG). In one embodiment, the ELG is offset from the height of the read-head. Resistance between the read-head and the ELG can be measured during the lapping process. During the initial phase of the lapping process, the ELG dominates the change in ILG resistance and provides a long-range stripe-height control allowing for inclination and bending of the row of magneto-resistive (MR) heads. During the latter phases of the lapping process, the read-head dominates the change in ILG resistance and provides a short-range, uniform read-head resistance control. In this embodiment, the transition between the long-range stripe-height control and the short-range, uniform read-head resistance control is smooth, providing a marked benefit to the read-head manufacturing process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.