Microactuator test assembly comprising a spreader pin for engaging a load beam of an actuator arm
View Patent ↗A microactuator test assembly is disclosed for testing a microactuator mounted at a joint coupling a base end of a load beam to a distal end of an actuator arm. A spreader pin deflects the load beam by moving from a first position to a second position, and a signal detector measures a sensor signal generated by the microactuator while deflecting the load beam with the spreader pin.
1. An actuator test system for testing an actuator mounted at a joint coupling a base end of a load beam to a distal end of an actuator arm, the actuator test system comprising:
a spreader pin operable to deflect the load beam by moving from a first position to a second position; and
control circuitry comprising a signal detector for measuring a sensor signal generated by the actuator while deflecting the load beam with the spreader pin.
2. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the spreader pin comprises a tapered surface at a distal end;
the load beam engages the tapered surface of the spreader pin;
the first position corresponds to when the load beam first engages the tapered surface; and
the second position corresponds to the load beam sliding along the spreader pin a predetermined distance.
3. The actuator test system as recited in claim 2 , wherein the tapered surface comprises a tapered point.
4. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the spread pin rotates about an axis;
the first position is a first angle of rotation; and
the second position is a second angle of rotation.
5. The actuator test system as recited in claim 4 , wherein the spreader pin comprises a D-shape.
6. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the first position is toward a base end of the load beam; and
the second position is toward a distal end of the load beam.
7. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the spreader pin is moved manually by an operator of the microactuator test assembly.
8. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a monitor operable to display the sensor signal.
9. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a pin actuator operable to move the spreader pin from the first position to the second position.
10. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a signal processor operable to evaluate the sensor signal to determine whether the microactuator is defective.
11. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a pin actuator operable to move the spreader pin into the first position.
12. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor signal comprises a single pulse.
13. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor signal comprises up to two pulses.
14. The actuator test system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the sensor signal comprises up to four pulses.
15. A method of operating an actuator test system for testing an actuator mounted at a joint coupling a base end of a load beam to a distal end of an actuator arm, the method comprising:
deflecting the load beam by moving a spreader pin from a first position to a second position; and
measuring a sensor signal generated by the actuator while deflecting the load beam with the spreader pin.
16. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein:
the spreader pin comprises a tapered surface at a distal end;
the load beam engages the tapered surface of the spreader pin;
the first position corresponds to when the load beam first engages the tapered surface; and
the second position corresponds to the load beam sliding along the spreader pin a predetermined distance.
17. The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein the tapered surface comprises a tapered point.
18. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein:
the spread pin rotates about an axis;
the first position is a first angle of rotation; and
the second position is a second angle of rotation.
19. The method as recited in claim 18 , wherein the spreader pin comprises a D-shape.
20. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein:
the first position is toward a base end of the load beam; and
the second position is toward a distal end of the load beam.
21. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising moving the spreader pin manually.
22. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising displaying the sensor signal on a monitor.
23. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising moving the spreader pin from the first position to the second position using a pin actuator.
24. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising evaluating the sensor signal with a signal processor to determine whether the microactuator is defective.
25. The method as recited in claim 15 , further comprising moving the spreader pin into the first position using a pin actuator.
26. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein the sensor signal comprises a single pulse.
27. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein the sensor signal comprises up to two pulses.
28. The method as recited in claim 15 , wherein the sensor signal comprises up to four pulses.