Topology optimization for femto suspension design

Abstract

The ongoing increase of track density requirements of hard disk drives (HDDs) and decrease of flying height of sliders have brought along formidable challenges to suspension design. Conventional design processes are quite tedious and inefficient. This paper presents a HDD suspension design process by using topology optimization. An efficient structural topology optimization method, based on the second derivatives information, is proposed to generate structures which satisfy multiple design objectives including both compliance and eigenfrequencies. This topology optimization approach is successfully applied in the HDD suspension design. The design begins with a very simple initial draft, and the design objectives are defined to minimize the spring rate and maximize the resonant frequencies of first bending, first torsion and sway modes of a suspension. An optimal design concept can be generated from the topology optimization. Then the design is further tuned by using the shape optimization. Finally, an optimal suspension design for femto sliders with much better dynamic characteristics is presented.