A servo-controlled, head actuator design that has low profile
characteristics in both the height and width dimensions. The low height
allows the actuator to fit into a half-high tape drive form factor.
Additionally, in some implementations, the actuator comprises a smaller,
concentrated moving mass coupled with a flexure construction having a
narrowed width with added ribs for torsional stiffness. These aspects of
the actuator provide a higher second mode of vibration compared to the
flexure designs of the prior art. The actuator includes a coarse actuator
assembly for larger movements of the head, and a fine actuator, including
a Voice coil motor, responsive to analysis of servo signals. In some
embodiments, the voice coil motor of the fine actuator and the coarse
actuator shafts are in line. Since the centerlines of the shafts are
in-line with the voice coil motor, the resonance response of the shaft
spring-mass system is reduced.