Removable actuator assemblies for testing head gimbal assemblies of a storage device

1. A removable test assembly for a head gimbal assembly (HGA) of a storage device, the test assembly comprising:

an actuator base comprising at least one guide pin;

a shoe assembly comprising:

a body comprising a first end portion opposite to a second end portion;

a first attachment means for releaseably coupling the shoe assembly with the actuator base, the first attachment means positioned along the first end portion and comprising:

at least one hole in the body configured to receive the at least one guide pin; and

a locking cam configured to rotate such that a portion of the cam is positioned over a portion of the at least one hole; and

a second attachment means for releaseably coupling the shoe assembly with the HGA, the second attachment means positioned along the second end portion.

2. The test assembly of claim 1 :

wherein the at least one guide pin comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin;

wherein the at least one hole comprises a first hole configured to receive an end of the first guide pin and a second hole configured to receive an end of the second guide pin;

wherein the locking cam is configured to rotate such that a portion of the cam is positioned over a portion of the first hole and the second hole.

3. The test assembly of claim 2 , wherein the second hole comprises a slot shape.

4. The test assembly of claim 2 , wherein the locking cam comprises an oval shape having a central hole for receiving a pin for retaining the locking cam to the shoe assembly.

5. The test assembly of claim 2 :

wherein the end of the first guide pin and the end of the second guide pin comprise a mushroom shape.

6. The test assembly of claim 5 ,

wherein the mushroom shape comprises a terminal portion having a first diameter, and an inner portion adjacent to the terminal portion, the inner portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter.

7. The test assembly of claim 1 :

wherein the body comprises a retaining wall configured to abut a portion of the HGA;

wherein the second attachment means comprises a latch pin comprising an end configured to be moved between a retaining position and a non-retaining position, and to extend into a swaging hole of the HGA.

8. The test assembly of claim 7 :

wherein, in the retaining position, the end of the latch pin contacts a rim of the swaging hole and thereby applies a lateral force to the rim in a direction of the retaining wall;

wherein, in the non-retaining position, the end of the latch pin is substantially free of the rim of the swaging hole.

9. The test assembly of claim 8 , wherein the end of the latch pin comprises a mushroom shape defined by a terminal portion having a first circumference, and an inner portion adjacent to the terminal portion, the inner portion having a second circumference less than the first circumference.

10. The test assembly of claim 8 , wherein the second attachment means further comprises a spring loaded release arm coupled to the second end portion of the body and the latch pin, wherein the release arm is configured to pivot about a shaft fixed to the second end portion.

11. The test assembly of claim 10 :

wherein the second attachment means further comprises a spring positioned between the body and the release arm, the spring configured to apply a force on the release arm directed away from the body;

wherein, in a default position, an end of the release arm extends beyond an outer surface of the body, wherein the default position corresponds to the retaining position of the latch pin;

wherein, in an actuated position, the end of the release arm is closer to the outer surface of the body than in the default position, wherein the actuated position corresponds to the non-retaining position of the latch pin.

12. The test assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a flex holder arm attached along the first end portion of the body and extending away from the body, the flex holder arm configured to receive and retain a flexible circuit of the HGA.

13. The test assembly of claim 12 , wherein the flex holder arm comprises at least one hole configured to receive a pogo pin configured to make conductive contact with the flexible circuit.

14. A removable test assembly for a head gimbal assembly (HGA) of a storage device, the test assembly comprising:

an actuator base;

a shoe assembly comprising:

a body comprising a first end portion opposite to a second end portion;

a first attachment means for releaseably coupling the shoe assembly with the actuator base, the first attachment means positioned along the first end portion; and

a second attachment means for releaseably coupling the shoe assembly with the HGA, the second attachment means positioned along the second end portion and comprising:

a spring loaded release arm coupled to the second end portion of the body; and

a latch pin attached to a first end of the release arm, the latch pin comprising an end configured to be moved between a retaining position and a non-retaining position in accordance with a movement of the release arm.

15. The test assembly of claim 14 :

wherein the body comprises a retaining wall configured to abut a portion of the HGA;

wherein, in the retaining position, the end of the latch pin contacts a rim of a swaging hole of the HGA and thereby applies a lateral force to the rim in a direction of the retaining wall;

wherein, in the non-retaining position, the end of the latch pin is substantially free of the rim of the swaging hole.

16. The test assembly of claim 15 , wherein the end of the latch pin comprises a mushroom shape defined by a terminal portion having a first circumference, and an inner portion adjacent to the terminal portion, the inner portion having a second circumference less than the first circumference.

17. The test assembly of claim 15 , wherein the release arm is configured to pivot about a shaft fixed to the second end portion.

18. The test assembly of claim 17 :

wherein the second attachment means further comprises a spring positioned between the body and the release arm, the spring configured to apply a force on the release arm directed away from the body;

wherein, in a default position, a second end of the release arm, opposite to the first end, extends beyond an outer surface of the body, wherein the default position corresponds to the retaining position of the latch pin;

wherein, in an actuated position, the second end of the release arm is closer to the outer surface of the body than in the default position, wherein the actuated position corresponds to the non-retaining position of the latch pin.

19. The test assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a flex holder arm attached along the first end portion of the body and extending away from the body, the flex holder arm configured to receive and retain a flexible circuit of the HGA.

20. The test assembly of claim 19 :

wherein the actuator base comprises at least one pogo pin configured to make conductive contact with the flexible circuit;

wherein the flex holder arm comprises at least one hole configured to receive the at least one pogo pin.

21. The test assembly of claim 20 :

wherein the flex holder arm and actuator base are configured to sandwich the flexible circuit of the HGA when the first attachment means secures the shoe assembly with the actuator base.

22. The test assembly of claim 14 :

wherein the actuator base comprises at least one guide pin;

wherein first attachment means comprises:

at least one hole in the body configured to receive the at least one guide pin; and

a locking cam configured to rotate such that at least a portion of the cam is positioned over a portion of the at least one hole.

23. The test assembly of claim 22 :

wherein the at least one guide pin comprises a first guide pin and a second guide pin;

wherein the at least one hole comprises a first hole configured to receive an end of the first guide pin and a second hole configured to receive an end of the second guide pin; and

wherein the locking cam is configured to rotate such that a portion of the cam is positioned over a portion of the first hole and the second hole.

24. The test assembly of claim 23 , wherein the second hole comprises a slot shape.