An improved E-block for positioning one or more transducer assemblies proximate
one or more rotating storage disks of a disk drive is provided herein. The E-block
includes an actuator hub and one or more actuator arms which cantilever away from
the actuator hub for holding the transducer assemblies proximate the rotating storage
disks. As provided herein, at least one of the actuator arms is a depopulated actuator
arm which retains less than two transducer assemblies. Each depopulated actuator
arm includes at least one, weighted segment integrally formed into the depopulated
actuator arm. Further, each depopulated actuator arm has an arm thickness which
is less than an arm thickness for a double head actuator arm. The weighted segment
and the reduced arm thickness allow the depopulated actuator arm(s) to vibrate
similar to a populated actuator arm(s). This allows the disk drive to be designed
and tuned to improve fragility and resonance characteristics of the E-block.