Not sure what else is needed at NRM beyond wafer. Wouldn't feel good about being in the slider are or Shakopee right now. Still expecting places in the build past HGA to see the brunt cost cutting, since number of heads and HGA's is still going up while number of drives goes down.
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Normandale is still needed because Springtown can't seem to manufacture heads with good yield. They also need Normandale to develop HAMR and keep the pretense alive. Finally, they still need both sites because neither can manufacture sufficient number of heads by itself (for now). Of course, that doesn't mean they can't substantially reduce the workforce in Normandale.
you can see an excellent YouTube video of the HAMR theory. however, since solder is a poor mechanical means of attaching parts together, it's a weak design, regardless of the brilliance of the theory. HAMR exists only to keep Harlan, et all, employed before they retire or move on, without adding HAMR to their resumes because it's a losers pipedream.
what you won't find on youtube, is the overpaid NRM engineers and managers doing any work of any value to the company. that sucking sound you hear is millions of dollars NRM sucks out of the life of the company. just shut it down already. morale has never recovered here since 2008, and it's never been worse, and it's never going to get better.
Thought HAMR emphasizes more on media to keep recording stable. What do I know since everything is on the need to know basis.