An experimental model for simulating the motion of magnetic tape in a tape drive

The capstan-control system can induce tape vibrations in a magnetic tape drive. This paper describes an analytical model for predicting the motion of magnetic tape through a tape drive, including the structural dynamics of the tape and its interaction with the control system. The model includes all significant effects related to the tape and the tape path. The roles of the air bearings, the vacuum column, and the magnetic tape were evaluated by a series of experiments to measure the input mechanical impedance of tape in an actual tape path. These experiments and a derived lumped-mass analytical model showed that the vacuum column added two acoustical resonators to the tape path, that the air bearing added considerable damping, and that the Coulomb friction did not significantly affect the dynamics of the tape.