LOAD CELL FOR FRICTIONAL-FORCE TESTING APPARATUS

PURPOSE:To form a strain gage for a load cell for a frictional-force testing apparatus for measuring the frictional force between a magnetic disk and a magnetic head directly on a plate spring by a thin film technique. CONSTITUTION:A head gimbal is attached to a plate spring which is supported with a supporting metal fitting and has a high regidity. The frictional force between a magnetic disk and a magnetic head is detected as the strain of the plate spring. In the load cell for this frictional-force testing apparatus, a strain gage 4 comprising a resistor thin-film pattern 4' which is formed of a thin film directly on the plate spring 1 and a conductor thin-film pattern 4'' is provided. The strain caused in the plate spring 1 by the frictional force between the magnetic disk and the magnetic head is detected by using the thin film strain gage 4. The strain gage 4 is directly formed on the plate spring 1 by a thin film technology. Therefore, the friction test which is not affected with temperature and humidity for a long period can be conducted. Thus, the stable, accurate frictional-force measuring test can be conducted in wide temperature and humidity ranges, i.e., in an ordinary constant-temperature and constant- humidity chamber.