Development of a single coil coupled force VCM actuator for high TPI magnetic recording

A novel high bandwidth actuator assembly is developed for the applications of high TPI recording in hard disk drives. The novel design in VCM construction, with flat moving-coil, is as simple as a conventional one. The VCM generates orthogonal force or pure torque. A 3D FEA is conducted in the electromagnetic design to optimize some critical electromagnetic parameters and the main dimensions. A 3D FEA is also carried out to predict the dynamic performance. The study shows that the quasi-rigid body vibration mode has been substantially suppressed. Measurement of the characteristics of a prototype is carried out and the result is discussed.