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A disc drive in which an actuator arm and a suspension are each metallurgically bonded to a coupling. The coupling comprises two materials, one of which is metallurgically compatible with the material of the actuator arm and the other is metallurgically compatible with the material of the suspension

A disc drive in which an actuator arm and a suspension are each metallurgically bonded to a coupling. The coupling comprises two materials, one of which is metallurgically compatible with the material of the actuator arm and the other is metallurgically compatible with the material of the suspension. The metallugical bonds may be formed using a welding process.

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1. A disc drive comprising:an actuator with at least one metal actuator arm; at least one metal suspension; a coupling joining the suspension to the actuator arm, the coupling having a first surface consisting essentially of a first material and a second surface consisting essentially of a second ma

1. A disc drive comprising:an actuator with at least one metal actuator arm; at least one metal suspension; a coupling joining the suspension to the actuator arm, the coupling having a first surface consisting essentially of a first material and a second surface consisting essentially of a second material, wherein the first and second materials are different and wherein the coupling has metallurgical bonds between the first surface and the at least one actuator arm; and metallurgical bonds between the second surface and the at least one suspension. 2. A disc drive of claim 1 wherein the actuator arm further includes a third surface against the first surface of the coupling and wherein the third surface consists essentially of the first material.3. A disc drive of claim 1 wherein the suspension further includes a fourth surface configured for abutment against the second surface of the coupling and wherein the fourth surface consists essentially of the second material.4. A disc drive of claim 1 wherein the first material is aluminum and wherein the second material is stainless steel.5. A method of joining a first metal component to a second metal component for assembly in a disc drive, the method comprising steps of:(a) providing a coupling; (b) forming metallurgical bonds between the coupling and the first component; and (c) forming metallurgical bonds between the coupling and the second component, wherein the second metal is different from the metal of the first metal component.6. A method of claim 5 wherein the providing step (a) includes providing a coupling comprising a first surface and a second surface, and wherein the first surface is metallurgically compatible with the first component and the second surface is metallurgically compatible with the second component.7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the method includes joining an actuator arm to at least one suspension.8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the providing step (a) further comprises steps of;(a)(i) positioning the first surface of the coupling against a third surface of the first component; and (b)(ii) positioning the second surface of the coupling against a fourth surface of the second component. 9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the forming steps (b) and (c) includes forming metallurgical bonds by welding.10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the providing step (a) includes providing a coupling with the first surface comprising essentially of aluminum and the second surface comprising essentially of stainless steel.11. An actuator assembly for use in a data storage device comprising:an elongated actuator arm made of a first metal; an elongated suspension made of a second metal different from the first metal; and a coupling member fastening one end of the arm and one end of the suspension together, the coupling member having a first portion made of the first metal metallurgically bonded to the arm and a second portion made of the second metal metallurgically bonded to the suspension, wherein the portions of the coupling are inseparably clad together. 12. The actuator assembly according to claim 11 wherein the first metal is aluminum and the second metal is steel.13. The actuator assembly according to claim 11 wherein the first and second portions are clad together.14. The actuator assembly according to claim 11 wherein the first portion is welded to the arm.15. The actuator assembly according to claim 14 wherein the second portion is welded to the suspension.16. The actuator assembly according to claim 16 wherein the first and second portions are clad together.17. A method of fastening a suspension to an end of an elongated actuator arm in an actuator assembly comprising steps of:providing an actuator arm made of a first metal; providing a suspension made of a second metal; placing a coupler having a first sheet portion made of the first metal and a second sheet portion made of the second metal on the actuator arm with the first portion against the actuator arm; metallurgically bonding the first portion to the actuator arm; placing one end of the suspension against the second portion; and metallurgically bonding the second portion to the suspension. 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the metallurgical bonding is welding.19. The method according to claim 17 wherein the coupler is a single sheet clad made of the first and second metals.20. A disc drive comprising:an actuator with at least one metal actuator arm; at least one metal suspension; and a single metal coupling joining the suspension to the actuator arm, the coupling having a first surface consisting essentially of a first metal and a second surface consisting essentially of a second metal, wherein the first and second metals are different and wherein the coupling has a metallurgical bond between the first surface and the at least one actuator arm and a metallurgical bond between the second surface and the at least one suspension. 21. The disc drive of claim 20 wherein the actuator arm is made of the first metal and the suspension is made of the second metal.22. The disc drive of claim 21 wherein the first metal is aluminum and the second metal is stainless steel.23. The disc drive of claim 22 wherein the metallurgical bonds are welds.24. The disc drive of claim 20 wherein the metal coupling is a clad metal sheet of two different metals.