Design Optimization of the Taper-Flat Slider Positioned by a Rotary Actuator

Abstract

In this paper, an optimization technique is utilized to find an optimum configuration of the taper-flat slider positioned by a rotary actuator for enhanced static air-bearing characteristics. The aim of optimization consists in simultaneously minimizing the variation in flying height from a target value, maximizing the smallest pitch angle, and minimizing the largest roll angle, over the entire magnetic recording band. As the design variables, the leading edge taper angle and rail width of a taper-flat slider, and the skew angle at the inside track are chosen since they seem to be the most influential parameters on air-bearing characteristics. The optimum design variables are automatically obtained by using the augmented Lagrange multiplier method, and the static characteristics of the optimally designed sliders are found to be superior to those of the taper-flat sliders of typical configuration over the entire recording band. Results obtained for three taper-flat slider models are reported, showing the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme.