THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE EDGE GUIDING OF THIN MAGNETIC-TAPE IN A LONGITUDINAL TAPE TRANSPORT

High data rate recording using a longitudinal instrumentation tape tra nsport requires high tape speeds. The need for high volumetric capacit y requires thin tapes. The running of thin magnetic tape at high speed s can result in edge damage by excessive heating. In this paper, we ha ve studied flash temperature dependence on tape speed, edge contact pr essure, and edge guide material characteristics. For an instrumentatio n transport, some redesign was found to be needed in order to handle t he new generation of thin tapes. In this transport the tape is edge gu ided to ensure good tracking of narrow data tracks. The edge guiding m echanism was optimized by reducing the guiding forces as much as possi ble and utilizing a guide with low friction, high thermal conductivity , and its ability to prevent build up of tape (polymeric) deposits. Th e role of the environment on the tape edge damage is also discussed.