TOOL FOR PROCESSING MAGNETIC READ/WRITE HEADS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

摘要

A tool, and associated method, for batch processing the definition of air bearing surfaces on rows (48) comprising a plurality of sliders is disclosed. The tool (60) comprises a main body member (76) having a recess (126) with a lateral wall (130) defining an x-axis alignment reference surface. A central platform (86) is positioned in the recess, having an upper surface (87) defining an upwardly facing z-axis base surface and a pair of pins (112) defining y-axis alignment reference surface. The rows (48) are positioned adjacent to one another on the upper surface (87) of the platform such that an anchor row engages the pins along its longitudinal side and abuts the lateral wall at its one end for aligning respectively with the y-axis and x-axis reference surfaces. All the rows have top surfaces lie in a common plane which is parallel with the z-axis base surface.