Abstract
This paper describes optimum air-bearing design of a tri-pad slider in terms of tracking ability to micro-waviness based on the theoretical analysis for the two-degree-of slider model and the distributed and concentrated air-bearing stiffness model. Although a short tri-pad type slider was introduced since load/unload, we point out that the this type of slider is superior to the traditional rail type slider in terms of tracking ability to micro-waviness. More importantly, the distance between head-gap position and the rear air-bearing center should be made as small as possible. The spacing variation due to the lower mode resonance can be eliminated if the positions of front and rear air-bearing centers are located at the center of percussion. The resonance amplitude of the higher order mode in spacing variation can be reduced if the length of the rear air-bearing pad is made be 1.2∿1.3 times the wave length of the higher mode resonance frequency. Since the moment stiffness of the front air-bearing prevents the head-gap from tracking the micro-waviness, the front air-bearing length should be made short.
