Rotatable actuator arm having an integral strut

This invention relates to actuator arms for data storage disc drives, and particularly to rigid actuator arms formed of pliable material, such as sheet metal, with integral struts arranged to support an actuator coil. An actuator arm for a rotary actuator assembly of a disc drive comprises a substantially planar sheet of pliable material defining a longitudinal actuator arm having longitudinal edges, a distal end supporting the transducer, a proximal end supporting an actuator coil. Strut means integral with the sheet extends substantially normal to the plane of the sheet along at least a portion of at least one longitudinal edge and the proximal end of the arm to provide rigidity to at least a portion of the arm. In one embodiment, an integral strut portion defines a support for the actuator coil. In another embodiment, integral strut portions extend along opposite longitudinal edges to a location proximal the distal end to define a rigid portion between the strut portions and a flexible suspension region distal to the rigid portion.