A study on stability of VCR tape transport

A computer simulation system and an experimental system to analyze the VCR tape transport mechanism have been developed. Using these systems, valuable information regarding VCR tape transport stability has been obtained. The bending moment caused by twist is shown to cause tape contact from the center of the helix guide of the stationary cylinder. This mechanism is an efficient way of preserving track straightness even with dynamic changes caused by the position and angle error of guides. As twist angle increases, the margin for maintaining the track straightness increases. Since an increase in twist angle may cause tape damage, the twist angle can be optimized suitably. The number of contact points varies depending on the twist method used, and this has a distinct influence on tape damage