Mechanical design and manufacture of an advanced multimodule tape head

The mechanical configuration of an advanced multimodule thin-film tape head for operation in a high performance linear tape drive is described The hea d comprises a write module sandwiched between two read modules to enable bi directional read-while-write. The mechanical design, manufacture, and perfo rmance of the head is discussed, with particular attention to the machining , assembly, contour head-tape interface tribology, and flex cables and inte rconnects. Machining and assembly processes were developed to achieve the t olerances required to meet the desired high linear and areal recording dens ities. The transverse slotted three-module tape-head contour maintains acce ptable head-tape spacing far tape speeds of up to 4 m/s and a 0.82-N (simil ar to 3 oz) tape tension for 9 mu m thick tapes under tape-wrap angle varia tions of +/- 2.1 degrees. Flex cables and interconnects were developed that enable the operation of 16 parallel data channels with acceptable feedthro ugh and impedance for the operating conditions while maintaining enough fle xibility to enable active track following.