Numerical Simulations of Slider Interaction With Multiple Asperity Using Hertzian Contact Model

Abstract

A numerical simulation of slider-disk contact in a magnetic hard disk drive is studied using the Hertzian contact model. The slider-disk contact is caused by flying height fluctuation due to disk runout for very low flying sliders. The rough disk topography is generated numerically by combining a sinusoidal waviness and a Gaussian roughness. For each asperity contact, the radius of curvature is calculated from the disk topography, and the radius is used to calculate the contact force using the Hertzian contact model. The slider’s response to a single asperity calculated using the Hertzian contact model agrees well with the result obtained using the impulse-momentum based contact model. The simulation results of slider-disk contact including suspension dynamics are calculated with and without friction for a “nano-slider.”