A sealed micro-actuator device for positioning a slider in a disc drive
comprises a micro-actuator body, which includes a stator, a rotor, and a
motor for moving the rotor with respect to the stator. The micro-actuator
device includes means for sealing the micro-actuator body to prevent
debris from reaching the motor. In a preferred embodiment, the means for
sealing comprises a plurality of cavities formed in the micro-actuator
body and an injection molded polymer seal with a plurality of protrusions
that extend into the plurality of cavities. A first subset of the
plurality of protrusions make contact with the stator, thereby holding the
means for sealing in place. A second subset of the plurality of
protrusions extend into cavities formed in the rotor. The second subset of
protrusions does not contact the rotor. In an alternative preferred
embodiment, a first and a second surface of the rotor are recessed from a
first and a second surface of the stator, and the means for sealing
comprises a first flexible film heat sealed to the first surface of the
stator and a second flexible film heat sealed to the second surface of the
stator. In another alternative embodiment, a sealed actuator is
incorporated into a slider of a disc drive. The slider comprises a slider
body, a data transfer element, and an actuator. The data transfer element
transfers data to or from a magnetic medium. The actuator is coupled
between the slider body and the data transfer element. The actuator is
operable to move the data transfer element relative to the slider body.
The slider includes sealing means to prevent debris from reaching the
actuator.